Yup, this back thing is me. Mostly. I am discovering every day the postural bugaboos that keep my back inflamed. Although I have tried to maintain good body mechanics throughout school and my fledgling massage practice, it has come home to roost - I have some bad habits that ain’t helpin’ me much.

Today I raised my massage table yet again, and it helped. If I don’t reach as far, and don’t bend as much, I last longer. I can massage longer without pain, or can massage the same amount of time with overall diminished pain.

I just finished a one-and-a-half hour session and I feel pretty much okay. During the massage I felt twinges, but immediately corrected my posture and felt less twingey. Bend my knees, let my butt muscles unclench - that’s the secret. I think my hips and low back have been carrying my weak abs for way too long.

I’m looking into the possibility of trading massage for yoga strengthening classes, and perhaps for a gym membership. The Vashon Athletic Club has a small pool, and I know how much swimming does for me both physically and spiritually.

I feel like I need to make a list of all the possible things I could trade out for massage, and then pursue those.