How many shopping days left until Christmas?
No, I'm not thinking about Christmas shopping already. There is a little bit of retail therapy that's been on my mind lately, though, and I thought I'd share it with you.
When I get stressed, lots of ugly physiological things happen. One that bothers me the most is that I get horrendous knots (tissue adhesions, I guess) in my back. I don't know the exact cause, but I do know that I get them more when I'm carrying around a lot of worries. Professional massage is one very effective way to get rid of them, but as much as I'd love to make a habit of massages (I've only ever had two), it's not going to happen in the foreseeable future.
When I was was going through nine months of physical therapy for a running injury in 2007, I remember having a terrible, painful knot on my back. While I was waiting for the physical therapist to start working on my injury, I sat perched on a table, craning my elbow around my neck to self-massage the sore spot with my fingertips. My PT saw me doing this and asked what the problem was. I told him, and he said Wait one minute. He left and then came back carrying . . . well, this:
This is what's known as the Back Knobber 2. It's a plastic hook with a ball on each end, and it's meant to hook over the user's back so he or she can effectively self-massage a knot out over the course of a few days. I tried it for five or ten minutes before each of my sessions that week, and in just over a full week the knot was completely GONE.
I have a really large, painful knot on the right side of my back right now, and I'm sorely tempted to order this doohickey. It retails for around $30 on Amazon and is often (but not always) available with free shipping. I've had trouble getting myself to order it because I don't think I'll use it that often, but right now the knot I have really hurts. If it's still bugging me after a weekend of fun in San Francisco, I'll probably end up buying it.
What's on your mind to buy right now? Are you buying it now or waiting, and why?
6 retorts:
I am stupidly trying to still figure out how it hooks to your back to massage
Does the contraption massage your back with you using the front half hooked over your shoulder to direct it?
I've been lurking around here for some time now. Hi. I enjoy your blog and find your point of view right on.
I've heard of these things before, but haven't gotten one myself. Usually, I just lay on the floor on top of a LaCrosse ball and roll it around on the knot. They are hard, solid rubber about the size of a tennis ball. I got mine at GIJoe's before they went out of business for about $3. A tennis ball might also work, but it isn't as solid as a lacrosse ball.
I bought two and use them simeltaneously to roll up and down either side of my spine.
Maybe you want to try something like that before you shell out $30 for this.
Also, lacrosse balls are much smaller and easier to store than this. I know that's a consideration for you as well.
- Jenny
Hey there - love your blog. I've been reading it for a while - I'm one of your west coast (Seattle area) fans. I get knots like this quite often - here is what I do (the cheap way). Put a tennis ball in an old (clean) sock, and then stand against a wall with the tennis ball in right spot and roll it around the area. Then ice and heat (like for any muscle injury). I swear it works!
I'm tempted to buy one as a Christmas gift for my friend who recently lost his father. Things have been beyond stressful for a long time, and this only made it worse so I know he's got insane knots just about all the time. Now, like FB, if only I can figure out how it works! Let me know if the packaging includes directions! :)
Funny you should mention it, I just did a piece (two actually) about holiday shopping. How there's still time to get a couple of rewards and also the better rewards sites to use for when you're doing your shopping.
As for the stress and the adhesions, they're completely normal unfortunately. I always assumed it comes from stiffening muscles which I tend to do when I'm stressed. I hunch my shoulders, I clench muscles without meaning to... It's not pretty.
Massages are fabulous, if expensive. I suggest looking around for massage schools. They're always offering specials and low rates. Although these days a LOT of massage places are offering specials. Usually for first-time customers only. But there's a lot of them. I know Massage Envy -- not a place you want to go regularly, I disagree with a place that has a sign more or less demanding you tip and how much is appropriate -- has a first-time special of $33.
There are also places like SpaFinder (through Ebates, check out my post if you're not already a member) that let you buy gift certificates for any of a network of spas. (Also great for holiday wish lists.) Right now it's offering $10 off all gift certificates bought before 10/31. And you get 4% cash back. Helps a bit to make it affordable, I'd think.
Finally, don't forget that some rewards programs now offer cash/Visa gift cards. So you could cash in some points to indulge yourself. Shopping while stressed is just so awful... I recommend trying to pamper yourself a bit.
Thanks, folks - one of my friends swears by the tennis ball trick, so if I can get one for free somewhere, I'll give it a shot before I shell out for one of these. My knot eased up in San Francisco, so it's not urgent any longer (for now!)
Post a Comment