“Adding a Bit of Salt in My life”

*****Get a massage? Me? You have got to be kidding! Those are the words that I have expressed over the many years of being offered the opportunity to relieve the tension in my body. My wife LOVES a massage! So do the kids! I guess my fear has always been having someone manipulate my skin and I guess “rub me the wrong way”! A few weeks ago, while having my annual physical with my cardiologist, he told me that my blood flow was not as it should be in my legs and he suggested that besides doing some walking, cycling ( stationary, for me) and treadmill I should consider  a”Lymphatic Drainage massage!.

I had no idea as to what he was speaking about because , as I expressed to him, I am not into massages. He advised me that this was a gentle massage designed to help the detox process, removing toxins, reducing swelling and will help improve immunity. While this type of massage is suggested, even recommended after an illness or an injury, it can help with the aging process and certainly relieve any stress one might be feeling! Wow ! that was great to hear, but for me the thought of a massage is a way of adding stress. I went home and said I would think about it.

When home, while going through my e-mail, I found an announcement from Harmony Salt Cave, a spa that we have visited for both the radio show, and website and even for a feature on “Keeping You In Da Loop” and an article in Reklama newspaper. Jane has been there for a massage in the past and since they had just announced they were now offering Lymphatic Drainage Massages, this was a sign- I was going to take down my fences, pick up the phone, call Debbie and schedule a massage. The date was set. I would meet with Olga, the specialist who is trained in these special massages on Wednesday, August 6th at noon. In a way, I felt like Gary Cooper in “High Noon” as I was going up against a fear that I had carried for over 60 plus years. Yes, in many ways, this was like a gun fight facing my enemy for the whole town to see.

I arrived at Harmony Salt Cave at 765 S. Buffalo Grove Road about 15 minutes early ( or maybe it was 30 minutes). I had thought about it all morning. Could I really go through with it? Would Olga hurt me?  ( in fact, I remarked to Jane last night that Olga sounded like she could).

Debbie settled me down and handed me a clipboard with a release that I had to fill out, and sign. Talk about alleviating my fear! I did her bidding. Olga came by to introduce herself to me. She was not what I had pictured, and my fear dwindled a bit. I had anticipated a larger woman who might have been a wrestler in years past, but my masseuse was a petite lady. I felt that she could not hurt me! I waited a few minutes for her to come and get me and as we walked to the room, I felt that my body was tightening up a bit. I think my fear had returned, but with a vengeance.

The room was dark and the music played softly. Olga showed me where I could put my clothing ( stripping down to my undergarments) and I got on the table, under the blankets as instructed. She entered the room when I said I was ready and for the next hour Olga and her magic hands worked my lymphatic system. I knew I was tense and she did mention as she worked several areas that I had huge knots in my back, my neck, my left leg ( the cardiologist had mentioned that leg specificly) and to let her know if it become too much. It never did! I truly felt the tension releasing from all over. She did my legs, my back, my chest, my neck, my arms and when we were done, I felt like I had been reborn. Olga left the room so I could get dressed and check out asking me to not remain on the cushion to long as I might fall asleep. I was that relaxed.

I went out to the check-out area ( lobby) and drank a bottle of water, Hugged both Olga and Debbie and thanked them for not laughing at me for my naivity, but also letting them know how wonderful the experience was and as Arnold would say ” I’ll be back!”.

Harmony Salt Cave is a cool place to visit. They have many ways to relax your body and your mind.

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