Day 14 - Self-Care Day

[Celayne]

I had a massage this morning. It had been scheduled for three weeks.

I hadn't read ahead on the SEP days, but had missed a couple of days.

This is a wonderful synchronicity. The massage was wonderful. I kept reminding myself, as the therapist smoothed out my knots, that it was increasing blood and oxygen flow to my TMS pain areas and that the massage alone wouldn't cure anything. Kept trying to think psychologically, not physically.

I had an experience the other day that I believe has caused my symptoms to redouble their efforts at distraction. So, this self-care day was very much needed.

 

[srton]

@Cricket313 So glad to hear that you're taking care of yourself. During my previous go-rounds with TMS I didn't need to use the self-care/self-love for my recovery but this time I'm finding it super helpful.
One of the huge upshots of recovering from my neck/shoulder and lower back pain a few years ago (through the SEP! god bless it!!) is that I now have a totally different relationship with massage. I had spent about 15 years frequently getting the most deep agressive massage around. I'd always ask the therapis to pound and go deeper - thinking that if they could unwind out the knots I'd get some relief from my pain.
Now that I don't have TMS pain there I can enjoy any type of massage and often have to ask therapists to go softer. I can enjoy a massage as a happy light joyful experience not as a means to end the pain. It's something I think about a lot and am so grateful for!!!!!!!
Keep on with the self love and way to go on noticing that your emotions were triggered by a specific experience. It sounds like you're making great strides in thinking psychologically.
All the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!