But, now I do!
I have to say, I am not usually entirely, thoroughly, impressed or blown away by too many things. I generally am reserved when it comes to my feelings about services offered or remedies to everyday problems, etc. I've been burnt one too many times, so I take things with a grain of salt. But not this time! I am feeling so good that I have to share! And I know that this may sound like a commercial or something, but I have to let everyone know.....I am in know way being paid; getting discounts; or have any affiliation with what I am about to tell you. I don't know anyone there and have so far had only one experience with this person. But the results I received were so phenomenal (so far..........and there goes that feeling of doubt and reservation......LOL), that I just had to shout it out to the world! Ok! Maybe not the world, but to anyone who is interested!
About a month ago, I signed up with a discount service Buywithme.com that was shown as an ad on Facebook. (Keep reading......this is not about buywithme.com!) I got an e-mail for a discounted price for a massage. It was $19 for a 1 hour massage at a day spa in Humble. At first I was skeptical because I had never heard of this place.....ALOE TOUCH DAY SPA. Then I thought, "hey - what could it hurt? $19 for a one hour massage? Even if it's a terrible experience......it's an experience and I would know where NOT to go in the future." So I bought it and promptly scheduled my appointment.
On Monday, September 20th I headed out to the ALOE TOUCH DAY SPA, located at 19506 Eastex Freeway, Suite 175 in Humble, Texas. When I got over to the area, like everyone else, I started looking for a sign. Couldn't find one, but did see the building so I pulled in. (Found out later, the stupid building management won't let them put up a sign - dumb!) Anyway........
I went in and saw a small, colorful sign, directing me to Suite 175 (right next door to the bank). I proceeded down the hall and walked in the door. Right away, I thought......"Oh no! I'm in trouble!" Now, first let me tell you.....I have been to alot of Day Spas, so my expectations were extremely high. I expected (in my mind) to walk into a place with plush furniture, water fountains, aromatherapy misting, soothing music, etc. Basically, what I walked into was a no frills office suite. The reception room is maybe 10 X 10; one desk and about 4 chairs and a coffee table. One door to the right I saw led to the other "office" where massages, facials, waxing, etc. was done, and another door to the left which I later found out was a closet. My brain immediately went on the defense, and I told myself right then and there that this was going to be the worst experience of my life!
BOY WAS I WRONG!!!!!!!
My appointment was at 3:00 p.m. and I had arrived at 2:45 to fill out the obligatory paperwork you always have to fill out before getting a massage. I completed that paperwork very quickly, and was taken back for my appointment. Again, the room was a no frills room. Bamboo on the walls, with a tiki torch and some thatching to make it look tropical, "mood" lighting and music. I was then introduced to Christine (who was actually the only therapist there) who was going to be my massage therapist. After talking with her to let her know all my "problems", she told me that she was not going to give me the "standard" type massage because she wanted to focus on my problem areas. Again, my first thought was that this was going to be a horrible massage, because I really enjoy just laying there, getting a Swedish Massage, listening to soothing music and being just totally relaxed! But I complied with her request to strip and lay down on the table....(they all tell you to do that......LOL!)
After Christine came back into the room, we began to talk. Now, usually, I DO NOT like to talk during a massage, but this time, it was different. Normally, when a massage therapist tries to talk to me about "stuff", I just say mmm hmmm, nod, or make other small talk like that. They usually get the hint that I just want to relax and shut up! But something told me that Christine was someone special and I needed to talk to her - either for myself - or for her. I don't know which.
Anyway.....during this time, I learned that Christine had received her massage therapy license in Pennsylvania - which was where she was from. She told me that the requirements out of state were so much more stringent than they are in Texas, and she had really learned to pay absolute attention to the human body and her client's needs. Well, I can tell you....she paid attention to mine!
Now I have to tell you, I have to sort of digress here to explain a few things. First.....since I received my treatment for cancer, I have lived every single day in some sort of pain. Either back pain, hip pain, neuropathy pain, or just plain ole' stress type pain. I have had physical therapy, epidural injections, chiropractic decompression and so many drugs prescribed by neurologists and rheumatologists, that I could probably make alot of money if I ever decided to sell them on the streets! (I would NEVER do that - but you get the picture of my medicine cabinet!)
No one, but no one, has ever really LISTENED TO ME or PAID ATTENTION to my pain problems. And no one has ever actually made a point of trying to help. Until Christine! She punched around on many different spots, listened to my responses to each thing she did, and worked from there.
Now, every doctor that I have been to, have told me that due to positioning during treatment, surgery and recovery, that I have herniated discs in my back. (This has been verified by CT and Xray). They have also told me that the radiation is known to cause damage to the hips and the nerves surrounding them as well. And that it is not unusual to have lower back and hip pain, as well as spasms, which I suffer with (spasms) no less than 4 times per week. Additionally, sometimes the pain is so bad I walk like I am 90 years old (no offense to my 90 year old friends!). After all of the treatments I have received, nothing has seemed to work. I was finally told that I would just have to live with the pain, and there was nothing else I could do (unless I medicated myself to oblivion - which I refused to do!) So, pain and I have gotten to be very close friends over the past four years. I've often said, if I wake up, and I am no longer in pain, then that means I've actually died and gone to heaven, because that would be the only way the pain would end. I don't like it, but have accepted it. Well, no longer!
In our talks, and Christine's observation, she started telling me about the psoas muscle. The psoas muscle??? (I thought it was "soaz" until I looked it up!) I asked her "What is that?" And she said "This"! And she pushed on a place in the groin/abdominal area and I almost came off the table! Pushing on that area shot pain throughout my lower back, hips and of course - that area! She just said "Yep! That's it!" She then told me that the psoas muscle is one of the most overlooked areas by most therapists because (at least in Texas) therapists are just in the business of doing all the "spa" things that we have all come to expect. But that this was not her technique. She was in the business to make her clients feel better.
So.....what is the psoas muscle?
The psoas muscle is a major muscle in the human body, responsible for stabilizing the base of the spine allowing the spine to flex, and rotating the hips for a free range of movement. It is a complicated muscle and is one of the most important muscles in the body! When kept limber, the psoas functions smoothly with the other muscles of the body to support an upright posture and a flexible lower spine and hips. When the psoas is strained or contracted, it can lead to limitations in free range of movement and an increase of lower back pain. The psoas muscles are considered to be crucial among the hip flexor muscles. Hip flexors allow people to bend their bodies into their hips and to pull their hips into their bodies, and are an important part of human anatomy. (One thing I found out was that when Christine went for her massage therapy licensing, anatomy was one of the classes that she had to take! - Boy am I glad!) Since my appointment, I have also researched and found that the psoas muscle can be damaged in all sorts of ways (including from the radiation field from my type and other types of cancer). Some people, like Regis Philbin, believe or not.....actually have had to have surgery to repair their psoas muscle - it is that important!
Well, Christine went to work! Now remember, I was only there for one hour...... but in that one hour, she worked miracles. Among other problem areas, she worked quite a bit on my psoas muscle (both sides) in conjunction with stretching and other massage. When it was all done..........believe it or not.........I was still disappointed about my massage because I didn't get the "spa treatment" I was expecting. Until I went to get off the table.......................
You would not believe it, but I got off that table like I was 20 years old! I was hesitant at first, expecting to have a hip spasm (because I always do when having to get down off a table like that!) But nothing! No spasm! I then got dressed. Before I realized it, I was able to actually lift my leg to put my pants back on! No pain! No spasm! I could not believe it! A few minutes later, Christine came back in and told me that I really needed to come back again in 2 weeks so she could continue working on me and this time for an hour and a half. I readily agreed and set the appointment. She told me that at this point in time, this was not a permanent fix, but that dependent on how my body continuously reacted to the treatment, I might be able to go up to 3 months before pain would come back! All I could hear was the Hallelujah Choir singing in my ears, birds flying around and fireworks going off! Three months without pain? Shoot! I'd just be happy with three days without pain!
Well folks! I have to tell you! It's now been three days! And so far (there's that doubt thing again) I am pain free!!!!!! (Of course, when I say pain free - I'm not talking about the neuropathy - that IS permanent and due to extreme nerve damage, so I will have that pain the rest of my life.) But, I have not had one back or hip spasm! No lower back pain! I actually have a smile on my face and no headache!!! Both Tuesday morning and this morning (Wednesday) I have actually almost bounced out of bed! I have slept through the night too! I haven't slept through a night since I was on heavy drugs!!!! I am sooooooooooo happy!!!!!! And now...............I can't wait until my next appointment!!!
So often, people don't share their good experiences. It seems we ALWAYS share our BAD!!!! So, while this isn't one of those ever insightful, touchy-feely blogs where pictures of kids, grandkids, cute puppies, butterflies, beaches, mountains and babbling brooks are downloaded, if maybe I can help just one person who is suffering in pain like I am to feel better...........then my blog is well worth it!
ALOE TOUCH DAY SPA is nothing like the usual spa that you may go to. But for me, it was truly a special place! And Christine was the icing on the cake! Without her skills, I would have never felt this euphoric! So, I say to you all........................
If you are suffering at all from back or muscular pain that is completely unexplainable and/or has not been remedied...................please call ALOE TOUCH DAY SPA and schedule an appointment with Christine! You will not be disappointed! They can be reached at (832) 244-7911 or their website:
