The beauty of massage...

So we all know that massage is good for you-right? That's not rocket science. But to a person who deals with unpredictable and constant pain? It can be a bit scary. Fact: before RA I LOOOOVED massages and would get them as a 'treat' every so often. Fact: after RA I was terrified to have anyone touch me. Massages sounded like possible torture. Many times Patrick even gently rubbing my back, when checking on me, caused me to flinch and cry out because I was so sensitive. I started to just not want to be touched. EVER. It hurt. But I had heard a few RA peeps say that it helped them. Then in New Zealand I flared big time, and the sweet events team manager found a massage therapist who specialized in rheumatoid patients, and I caved. I would have cut off my own hand at that point for some relief. And guess what?! It helped! I had to be careful around certain areas because of over sensitivity, but I could actually get relief from it!! That is when the hunt began- I needed to find someone at home, who I could trust, who could help me!

Problem- massages can be so expensive, and I am not made of money. So I looked in all of the usual places and it just turned out to be something that could only happen every now and then. Which I wasn't sure was actually going to help me. That's when my amazing friend Juli- recommended someone she knew personally. So just before I went to California with the family way back in May- I started adding regular massage into my routine. This sweet massage therapist (L.S.) who understood my anxiety about having something possibly make the pain worse- but also my desperation to find relief- was so patient with me! L.S. understood RA, at least for the most part, and was very willing to help me figure out what helped. She is an angel, truly a blessing. She can even come to my home in the evenings, so when Patrick is traveling, I can still get my massage. And I can afford her. :) Hello!! Small miracle here!! I cannot believe how blessed I am! :)

Massage has been helping me so much! It wasn't this big dramatic change- but more like a slow increase in my ability to handle the physical stress of it all. I have had a flare free summer for the most part and I would credit a lot of that to my regular massages. Its been the longest I have ever gone without a major flare since Dec 2009! (for those of you who don't understand- a flare is the SERIOUSLY intense pain, that usually knocks me flat and lasts for DAYS. My joints feel like they are being ripped apart. It sucks. I cry. a lot.)

I know it sounds spoiled, and maybe I am.... actually I TOTALLY am. But I am so very grateful. And it feels nice to be able to DO something that actually seems to be helping. (besides injecting seriously gross meds). So many times I just feel powerless, so its nice to feel like I can take control a wee little bit.

I just had to share. Its made me so happy. :)