It has been a few days since I started having terrible backpains. I mean, I get backpain a lot of times but this one seems unusual but the way that it's painful, weakening, and lasted longer than expected.
The beginning of a nightmare-ish pain
It started last Monday as a normal little back pain that I feel is fine to brush off because it happens to me all the time especially if I've been restlessly working in front of the computer. I admit, computer work is not the best for posture and mental health, both of which are areas I'm already vulnerable at, but I got to do it since it's convenient for me and it's an area I know so much already, so why not, right? Earning money always has a compromise or two.
Then, I went to school for a subject and a group project meeting after class. I did minimal physical tasks, more on processing information given to us and decision making mostly for the group meeting. The things is, even if I already feel a bit of back discomfort, I answered the call of style and wore three-inch heels, among other things. Not sure how that would relate, but given all the walking I had to do, the shoes surely made me feel a bit exhaused in a way. Add that before and after school, we had a few errands. So I went home already weak and tired. Not to mention I can almost cry on how painful my back went.
I slept and wished that the pain will be away the next day. But unfortunately, a day of back discomfort is ahead of me. It started to seem strange because usually my back pains go away by the time I get sleep. So I took the vacant day to rest and relax myself. I did work for a few hours as well but rested well right after. I laid down, used my phone less, and took a nap at some point. I still did some chores and movement, but it was minimal and I'm very careful.
A way for me to cope with it is sometimes telling myself "How does it feel carrying the weight of academic ego and being a working provider at the same time while being in a bad mental state?". Which is funny for my own self-depricating taste in humor, but unexpectedly has many layers to it. To think of it, it could possibly be a way of my body telling me that I am stressed and exhausted, also that I need to rest and prioritize myself for once. It's like my health screaming at me to at least listen to them and take care of myself for once.
To think of it, I have been working and trying so hard in my personal life, work, and studies. I have to be on top of everything as myself, being a daughter, sister, partner, even as an employee who works for money to cover expenses and for my clients' satisfaction, as well as a student who does my best for grades I deserved and be satisfied of simply because I know I exerted enough effort. I've been arching my back (no pun intended) to make sure things are managed to go smoothly.
Ultimately, I came up with a decision that evening to send myself for a massage therapy the next day, and I did. I woke up Wednesday still with the pain on my back, but I make sure to get even just a little help with it. We just had our breakfast, I had a few hours of work, I showered, and we're good to go. So we found a spa in the city, and it was a great time overall.
Nagasthetics Day Spa
Located alongside Emall in Naga City. This is surely a great place for self-care, wellness, and relaxation. The place welcomed us with its amazing, chic ambiance and chill, peaceful athmosphere. The staff were accommodating and entertained our questions. Since it is my first time visiting a spa for a massage by my own (last time I had a massage was a home service and last time I have been in a spa is for nails and a facial), it took a while for me to decide what I want because they have so much choices, great that they were very patient and kind. Not to mention, the prices were affordable too, even their premium options fit well for my budget (Don't take it from me though, just so happened that I have money to spend, and a back in pain. I'm not sure how other people deal with finances or what they think is cheap or expensive).
I took the 90-minute body massage with ventosa for P650.00 and moderate intensity. For context, ventosa is a massage practice where heated glass cups are being put to our backs and that does a suction effect (I am too lazy to do research on this, but I think you get the point, just look it up if you want to know more). There are also other options like hot stone massage and other specialized massages but I picked this one because I think it is fun, that's what felt right at the time. I haven't tried that either and now that I am sending myself out for a massage, with huge concern to my back, I think it just would make sense. The front desk mentioned that massages will start by noon but even though we are already there by 11:20, they already entertained us.
The Session
The atendant/massage therapist first had me to was my feet with warm water and soap, which felt relaxing. Then she led me to my massage room and it was very visually zen. It had a Himalayan salt lamp, a few ornaments and a dim light. The area was so calm and relaxing. Then, she gave me time and privacy to make myself all set and ready for the massage. She's very nice, sweet, and gentle, but her massage hands are the complete opposite. I can feel the force of her hand and she really did not hold back. I liked the intensity; it's not light that I can't feel anything, but it's not forceful to the point it's painful either. Hers was just as right and very spot on. I feel everything, and it's painful in such a good way.
One of the reasons I do not do massages often is because I am very ticklish, and I felt it will be difficult for me to relax if I get tickled all the time. I'm not gonna lie, I did not feel much tickle in this session for some reason. Miss massage therapist really exerted a nice amount of force that I can feel everything. She meant business. Also, she has that push and stress that I feel so much pressure into my body that I can feel it doing something to my painful areas. I liked how that 'hurt' my body rather that soft light touches that could be very ticklish and does nothing. Kudos to Ms. Massage therapist for a great job.
She also made my hip, shoulder and knee, joints 'pop', which feels great and I felt so much tension being released. It's not much, but the sound of it was very mind blowing and relieving. I also felt the heated suction cups for the first time. I really felt my skin being a bit pinched at first but I get used to it. It left some circles in my back but as far as I know, that's normal. Since it is a full body massage, it also made me discover areas of tension such as my hands and legs. That says a lot being someone who types, writes, and walks a lot.
After the session, she gave me warm water, a warm towel, and privacy for me to freshen up and get ready. She also advised me to not take a shower the next day. There's also a tip wallet. The thing is, I am ready to pay with my card and I don't have much cash with me, but good thing I have a small amount, so I put it in there. Then I freshened up and got to go, paid the front desk and went about my day.
Takeaway
I am not a proponent for hustle and grind culture, but sometimes you got to work hard to get the results you wanted and make sure everything falls in place. I try not to deprive myself of all the care I can in terms of food, basic needs, and overall health, but sometimes overwork and self-negligence is an intense addiction in itself that could affect you physically and mentally if not being taken care of immediately.
As a hard-worker, I must realize that although being able to provide basic needs and achieve satisfying things is nice, but it wouldn't hurt to treat yourself to things that will be helpful for your well being. I mean, self-care and retail therapy can be nice, but don't forget to pamper yourself and do wellness-related stuff such as spa appointments and medical check-ups. It may not do much but it helps us relax, ease up stress, and recharge ourselves physically and mentally
Anyway, 48 hours after the spa visit. My back feels better. I can feel some pain here and there but it's not crazy and concerning. Also, since it is a full body massage, I felt better overall. I can feel parts such as arms and legs feel more tender compared to before, seeing how it healy helped with releasing a lot of inner tension and stress. I do plan on visiting again soon and make relaxing spa appointments as a part of my monthly routine and hopefully not just for body massage but also for other services such as nails and face as well.
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