9 years Sober

By the A M A Z I N G grace of God I celebrated 9 years of sobriety Today. Oh my! I can remember it like it was yesterday and yet it feels like a lifetime ago. I feel like I’ve got some serious time under my belt and yet I really only have today. Anyway, today’s post is a reflection on the lessons I’ve learned over 9 years of being sober.

How Does One Get 9 Years of Sobriety?

It may sound cliche but, trust me, it’s done one day at a time!! I grappled early in sobriety with the thought of never drinking again. Others told me, “just don’t drink today.” 

My journey to my sobriety date started April of 2011. I had a strong desire to quit but had more reasons not to. I had been what they call a 'functioning alcoholic' for most of my life. This means that after years of drinking, I had managed to figure out how to drink a liter of brandy plus several bottles of wine a day and keep functioning. My drinking started probably before you even got out of bed and went until I crawled into bed at night. By 2011, I felt like I was living in hell and quite honestly I welcomed death more then I did another day of life. 

Because of my desire to quit, I chose on my own to attend a local AA group. The best group of people I will ever meet. They handed me the AA bible and instructed me to read it and just follow it. Seems pretty straight forward doesn't it. This is where my relationship with GOD got serious. Was I willing to let go of everything and let him handle it? Seems crazy easy. This is all GOD asks of any of us. Just let him do his job. 

I'll be honest. I cried like no other person on this planet while trying to learn to let go of just drinking. Due to a horrible situation, on this day back in 2011, I told myself enough. I can fight the Devil without the Alcohol. And I walked away from it. I throw away every bottle we had. This of course made my husband upset. BUT in the end it needed to happen. They (family/spouses) don't take you seriously until you finally take a stand. 

It took a little over 3 months for me to dry up. I had headaches and memory loss. Basically quiting drinking meant that I would be starting my life over. After doctor visits they felt it would take 5 years for just the alcohol to leave my body. They were right. I could feel the changes and slowly the memories have all come back. 

For my first 4 years of sobriety, my only support system was that AA group and the bible. There is no easy way to recovery. You must do the work and you must have the faith. Sobriety is not for the weak. It's for the warriors willing to destroy the Devil and all of his stupid games. It's being able to stand your ground, have boundaries and if need be - tell family members enough to enough. 

Most of all - It's doing the work one day at a time, every day of my life. I read and reread the 'BIG BOOK.' I pray and mediate. And if something or someone is bothering me I address it and fix it right away. Nothing is left undone or unresolved. 

If you have somehow found your way to this page and are struggling, get to good group. There are many out there. Find someone in that group to meet with you and support you. These people are not to be your Best buddies - they are there to get you on the right path and tell you some hard things about yourself that you are not seeing. You can do it - Be a warrior. 

Best of Luck - Nancy 

Let’s Tapo. It’s Swedish Massage

Are you ready for more then just a rub? 

Let’s Tapo together 

You are probably familiar with most strokes I use applies because they are commonly used to warm the tissue, knead the muscles into a softened state, or break up scar tissue caused from previous injury or overuse. But what about that age-old, but less-commonly- used technique where I “beat” on your body with my hands? Have you ever wondered what that is and why I am doing it?

WHAT IS IT?

The massage stroke I’m referring to is called tapotement.

Tapotement comes from the French word tapoter, which means “to tap,” and is a technique used in Swedish massage since the late 19th century. The technique is very literal to the word origin in that it simply involves tapping the body with hands, soft fists, or fingertips. 

It is a fast, rhythmic, percussive technique, typically alternating between hands, with the intention of bringing blood to the surface of the skin, stimulating the nervous system, and softening hardened muscles (think of tenderizing meat not with a meat-tenderizing hammer, but with soft, relaxed hands that feel good!).

WHY DO IT?

So why on earth would a massage therapist want to strike their client’s body? There are many known benefits to this approach, some of which can vary per client. Following are some of the benefits.

Warming the tissue

If you have ever slapped a part of your body, you’ll notice a red mark quickly appears. Slapping, tapping, beating, hacking, and cupping all produce the same result. Pink or light red skin indicates that blood flow has raised to the surface of the skin, a circulatory benefit of tapotement.

Revitalizing and/or relaxing sore and tired muscles

Our skin and underlying muscles contain a lot of nerve endings. The rhythmic pace and light striking action of tapotement are stimulating to these nerve endings and can have the effect of soothing and relaxing tired muscles, as well as invigorating them. Depending on the needs of the client, either outcome is possible. Both are positive results.

Loosens areas of fluid buildup

When tapotement is applied to the back over the area where the lungs are, it can stimulate the removal of built-up mucus, especially after having a cold or bronchitis. Similarly, in areas where muscles are tight, blood can have a hard time flowing freely. Application of tapotement to these tight muscles can loosen them enough to create space for blood to flow.

So hopefully this helps you understand Swedish and Tapotement better. I encourage you to experience the beat and feel the goodness.

Have a great day.

Nancy
mcshane.massagetherapy.com
#mcshanemassage
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/McShaneMassage/

Choose the Way of the Light - LOVE

We are all having a human experience; and one such experience is to observe how we react when situations and circumstances appear to push us to our limits.  For in the midst of our being told to shop sensibly, not panic, exercise common sense, as well as social distancing, we really have to remember and perhaps work even harder to focus on not becoming separated from each other. The feeling that we are disconnected is just an illusion.

There are those amongst us who know that part of our duty lies in showing the way in order that others may follow. We each have the responsibility as Lightworkers to lead by example, and to show others, especially amongst this chaos, that there is another way.

We can show others that there truly is no reason to be scared and act out of fear, but that we can choose the way of Light and Love. This perhaps then is where faith and trust in the Divine comes into play. Many of the lessons we have to learn aren’t particularly easy ones and as we learn them, as we did in school, we are frequently tested.

Remember to just try your best each and every day and see what you can do. Simply try to keep love in your heart and mind, always and no matter what.

Wishing you many Blessings on this day

Nancy
mcshane.massagetherapy.com
#mcshanemassage
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/McShaneMassage/

Hello Sunday

Hello Sunday 🍮 Coffee crew.

Are you a gardener? 

I don’t consider myself a gardener or landscaper. I do a lot of finger crossing and hoping for the best. I spent a lot of time during our quarantine, pulling weeds and working with the perennials in my flowerbeds. For me it’s time to ground myself. I love the feel of the earth on my feet and in my hands. With the rainfall lately, I have found that the weeds in the flowerbeds have gotten taller and out of hand faster now that I’m back to work,

When my mom passed 3 years ago, I inherited two large pots of plants. One was full of Cali Lilies and

the other was full of Voodoo Lilies.

 

As you can imagine the bulbs have grown and multiplied. Every busy spring since my mom passed I have threatened to share them with my siblings. Always too busy to do so. This spring I finally had the time and divided up bulbs and pots for everyone. Yay!!

I had one casualty. My hanging potted flower. I every spring I want one and to be honest I only have a small percentage of a chance that it’ll make it for some reason.🤷🏼‍♀️ This is not my season.

The peonies and chives are doing really well. 

With this I wish you a well Sunday. Happy Weeding.

Hello Saturday

We made it through week 2 of being back to work at the salon. This week I have to say I have experienced such an enormous amount of gratitude and joy. 

My cup is overflowing. 

Over our down time I made changing and even though these changes felt really good to me, one never knows how it’ll be taken by others. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you’re just catching up with me for the first time, I recently took on the whole massage room. I was sharing it before and this limited a lot of potential. Now it’s newly decorated and I brought back a lot of services and modalities that I love to use in my business.

'This Is Our Happy Place' 

Possibly one of my favorite changes was made in the dark and gloomy hallway on the way to the massage room. We filled it with beautiful candle light and music. It’s so beautiful it makes me excited to get to work. 

Last week I mentioned having jitters like a new practitioner. This week was a little better. I learned so many new tricks and ideas over our down time that I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to remember it all so that you can have the best time. I mentioned, also, that I separated Massage and Healing Touch (Energywork) going forward. For myself, this has been a huge change. I have to say overall it’s been an amazing plus. I feel the quality of your massage has greatly improved because I am focused on this service. Healing a Touch can now be added as an add-on to your massage after the massage session or if you’d like come try a session for a half hour. 

In personal news - After waiting almost 3 months my new washer and drier arrived yesterday. Thank you to the powers above. I posted Bundt cake #39 this last week - Orange Crush Soda Cake. It is really good! 😋You can follow that at #Bundtingthroughlife with my husband and I. 

Otherwise I am just relaxing this weekend. 😎 Taking in all the fresh air and sunshine 🌞 that I can. 

Wishing you the very best. 

Nancy

The Underdog of Massage Sessions - The 30 min Massage

This overlooked massage session. People pass it by because it’s not long enough and yet one of the biggest complaints I hear the from possible clients is that they don’t have time. Say what? 

Often times for a 30 minute massage you won’t need to undress for the session. It can’t get much faster then this. 

Pros

Less time! You might think an hour massage is just an hour of your time, but think again. New clients need to factor in time to complete paperwork, and everyone needs to factor in the unforeseen delay. There’s also the time getting undressed and then dressed, checking out, etc.

A half hour session can be a great way to get the work in that you need without the big commitment. (Bonus: since it’s a smaller unit of time, it’s actually a little easier to get in on short notice.)

Focus. When you go in for a half hour session, it’s understood that there’s only really time to treat one or two focus areas. I won’t be worrying about making time to get in a full body massage. My treatment is focused, and so is my attention.

Treatment. Got a terrible crick in your neck? Is there just one area where you have persistent pain that just needs to be rubbed out? A half hour session might be all you need. Keep in mind, though, that the more chronic the pain is, the more regular massage sessions it will take to heal the problem. You can’t expect to reach your fitness goals after just one workout, right? Massage can be the same way. Having said that, many clients report feeling better after just one focused treatment. Your mileage may vary.

Cons

It’s over already?

If you’re looking for a relaxing experience as well as treatment, you might want to consider going with a longer session. A half hour usually isn’t enough time if your goal is to release the cares of the day and escape your stress for a while. Sixty minutes is enough to get that job done for most people, but have you tried a 90 minute session? That is relaxation.

So I invite you to schedule your next 30 minute massage. Experience that quick and ease this session offers. In a hurry - Don't worry.  Would you like to feel better - Let's spend 30 minutes together. 

Schedule your next appointment here. 

Have a great rest of your day. 

Nancy

CMT, Lightworker, Mystic

mcshane.massagetherapy.com

#mcshanemassage

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/McShaneMassage/

Let’s Talk About Fibromyalgia & Massage

• Maybe you’ve considered trying massage but are too afraid of causing a flare. 
• Or it’s been recommended to you, but you dread the thought of someone touching you and causing more pain.

There are studies out there that show massage on a regular schedule can benefit individuals struggling with Fibromyalgia. Here’s some things to consider if you’re considering a massage for your chronic pain.

• Manage Expectations 

Massage will not cure fibromyalgia. If you go into the experience thinking you will never have pain again, you are going to be disappointed. Also, you’re likely to be somewhat sore after a massage. Even a perfectly healthy person will experience this.

It doesn’t mean the massage hurt you. Instead, it worked your muscles in a way they aren’t used to. The stress reduction benefits and overall muscle wellness are still present even if you feel some soreness.

• Consider Different Massage Types

Not all massages are the same just as massage therapists techniques and skills are not the same. Perhaps touch hurts a lot so one may consider a Connective Tissue Massage over the Therapeutic Massage. 

• You Control Your Experience 

That’s right. You control how much or how little clothing you wear. You can decide if there are ‘no go’ zones that you know cannot be touched without pain.

• Communicate 

This. Cannot. Be. Ignored. 

If I am using a pressure or stroke that is uncomfortable, I want to know about it as much as you want me to know.

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All of these things together make for a better massage for chronic pain and quite honestly any massage. Followed up with plenty of water and scheduling the next massage. Frequency is also a key.

Things to consider as you go into your week. 

Have a great day.🍮