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“Oo-oo-oo-oo-oh, yes. Right there”
It feels so good you could just melt. What a difference between now and how you felt 5 minutes ago, pain burning through your lower back, your neck and shoulder muscles soldered together in one sorry, aching clump.
This is the
magic of massage
. Under your partner’s soothing hands, muscles start to unfurl, so new blood can bathe the tissues. The blood carries fresh oxygen and vital nutrients and carries away pain-producing metabolic wastes.
As the massage continues, that
marvelous sensation of healing touch
triggers your nervous system to release endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller. Soon your stepped up circulation carries this elixir of bodily bliss throughout your system. As the massage ends, you feel so great, you may be half-inclined to rush right out and do all those jobs the back pain kept you from.
Do yourself a favor. Give your muscles time to remember how good it feels to relax. And if that means resting in a quiet room and ignoring the jangle of the phone, do it. Better yet, head straight for the bathroom. Fill the tub with warm, scented water and ease into it for a good soak.
Realize, however, that
massage is no substitute for proper medical care
. If you suspect the problem is a displaced disk or an injured nerve, consult your doctor. A good massage therapist will want to know the diagnosis so he can respond appropriately.
And if your pain is caused by muscle strain due to poor posture or movement habits, know that massage can only bring you short-term relief.
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