Have I mentioned my love of exploration? For some reason, I’m up for all sorts of weird styles of bodywork and healing therapies. Partly it’s because I have a lot of “stuff”—old injuries that never healed properly, chronic pains, mystery ailments, stuff like that. So it doesn’t take much arm-twisting to get me to try something new in the hope of finding some relief. Sometimes, though, I think I’m a little crazy. Take yesterday, for instance.
Andy—a very nice, mild-mannered practitioner, mind you—works in the same office as my acupuncturist. In addition to doing acupuncture and nutrition, Andy does this totally insane form of “myofascial release” using these hard little balls that he rolls and rubs all over your body. (Yeah, I can hear you snickering… Stop it.) He learned this technique from a Korean teacher, so I’m guessing it’s a Korean practice. Whatever it is, it’s a scream. Literally.
When I made the appointment, Andy asked if I was a screamer—you know, someone who likes to make a lot of noise when they’re getting worked on. (I’m not. Though maybe I should reconsider…) He was trying to gauge how much noise I might make during the treatment, since I might potentially disturb the other practitioners and patients, and he wanted to schedule me at the most appropriate time (for all concerned).
At that point I really started to wonder what I was getting myself in for. But I played the brave little guinea pig and went for it.
The treatment basically consisted, like I said, of Andy rubbing balls of various sizes over much of my body. He started with the top of the feet and proceeded up my legs, going back and forth, back and forth, really fast. If the balls found a spot that hurt, well, guess what? That’s where he really started to work them in. As he said, “The balls don’t lie.” (Damn them.)
Andy said that those “special” places are where the ghosts have gotten in and taken up residence. You have to chase the ghosts out. Which means you can’t really take much of a break from the action. You have to go after them until they leave. (Did I mention I was slightly masochistic? What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger…maybe.)
Some of it actually felt kind of good. But I don’t think that was the point. The point was to go after those damn ghosts. And where the ghosts live, there is pain. So you deal with it, and occasionally cry “uncle,” and then he backs off for a bit, and after about half a minute goes right back in. Eventually, the pain starts to get slightly less excruciating—and then he moves on to the next spot. (Oh joy.)
In some areas, like the belly, along the spine, and the hips (Gall Bladder 30, maybe?), Andy would simply press those balls straight in. Deep. Oof. Major exhalations required.
I kept asking him, “So…this works, right?…” Oh yes, he said. It works. After even one treatment, age-old problems can be released from the body. Since I have age-old problems, I was willing to tolerate this insanity—for well over an hour.
I didn’t scream (though I thought about it). Nor did I cry (though I wondered if I should). Instead I did a lot of exhaling and squirming and a fair amount of moaning and even laughed slightly hysterically when he was working on a couple of choice places. (Around the knees and elbows were absolute killers!) And I felt awfully sorry for my left forearm and my right big toe. But I survived.
Andy said I was a tough lady. (Really?) He said this treatment can easily reduce grown men to tears. I believe it.
Actually, I was a little surprised that Andy himself survived. I mean, it’s got to be one crazy ass workout for the practitioner! Can you imagine having to keep that up for an hour or more? Guess it’s one way to get your aerobic exercise. The good news is that this technique spares a practitioner’s often overused hands. These balls do what no thumbs or fingers could tolerate for long.
Afterward I wasn’t nearly as out of it or as wobbly as I sometimes am after receiving bodywork. Although he told me I might feel a little sore after the treatment, at first I actually felt a bit giddy. I thought, Hey—I feel fine! I feel…good. I could do this again, no problem. Then about half an hour later, my left arm started to hurt and my hand felt a little weak. Ah, I thought. Okay. I see.
Last night, I was exhausted. Did I sleep well? No. Was I sore? Yes. I dreamed I woke up with bruises all over my body. That didn’t happen. (But check back with me tomorrow.) I do have some delightful red patches on my skin and some very tender spots. Poor knees! Poor arm! Poor hips!
So, I didn’t get a tee-shirt saying “I survived the Korean Healing Ball Therapy” (though I seriously think Andy should have some made up), but I might actually go back. Maybe. I suspect that it could take a few treatments to dispel all the “ghosts” I have renting space in my body. But even after one treatment, I’ll bet that at least a couple of them are looking for a new place to live.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article, Kristi! That sounds a bit painful, but ultimately worth it. Give us updates, please?
It’s Wednesday now. (I had the treatment on Monday.) Some of the red patches are looking more like normal skin, others may be turning into lovely bruises. Andy gave me a liniment to use. It smells really good, if you like that menthol-y, Chinese herb scent, which I do. My body doesn’t feel quite as free and easy as it did after the treatment, but I’ve got some weird stuff going on that no one’s been able to get a handle on. Some ghosts just don’t want to leave, I guess. (And frankly, I’m not sure I want those things anywhere near my pelvic floor, which may be the location of some of my issues. Yikes!)
WOW, I’m impressed, I like this article, very engaging. Nice to learn about a new therapy. Thanks!