Backrubs

How long has it been since you had a backrub?

When I was a young child my mother asked me to rub her back. She had asthma pretty bad and, she said, it helped ease the pain and breathe better. I learned how to do it just the right way for her.

So, I would offer a backrub, especially when she was not feeling well, but also when she was. I knew it felt good and she was very appreciative when I was able to do it.

I never knew how good a backrub could feel until my fiancé gave me a backrub in 1977.

I had given him backrubs when he was tired or tense…or sometimes, even as a relaxer after a busy day. He returned the favor and we found ourselves in a pattern of sharing them fairly often.

In 1979 I worked as a contractor for HUD one summer and traveled all over the Midwest investigating Section 8 housing programs. Our team was made up of 11 people. We were working 14 hour days mostly in 100 degree temperatures. One of us was a massage therapist as well and he taught us all how to give back massages. We took turns “practicing” on each other after those long days of work.

I even taught my son how to give a simple back massage when he was young.

A few years ago my sister in law gave me a total massage package for my birthday one year.

Wow!

Occasionally, and most often on the spur of the moment, I will go to one of those massage chairs set up in the mall and treat myself to a nice back massage.

I think this back massage thing is a must for us today. Most of us can be under stress from time to time. Taking the time to give and receive a back massage can be a refreshing experience and produce a more positive outlook on life.

It’s my belief that, if everyone took the time to have a back massage daily and return the favor, there would be less conflict in this world.

My wish for you today is that you find the time to give and receive a back massage and enjoy the experience. If you don’t have anyone readily available to do that, consider nurturing that give and take with a friend. If that isn’t comfortable for you, then go to one of those chair massage folks at a mall and try it out. You will find your disposition will most likely improve no matter where it is before you start.

~ Joellen

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.