I learned a very important lesson this past week. Massage chairs can be dangerous.
I went for a pedicure with a friend. I am seriously trying to ease back into “normal” life a little bit more day by day. I mean really. Two years of restrictions and limitations has been rough on everyone and I am just trying to reintroduce little things into my life that I used to do pre-pandemic.
Pedicures are one of those things that are a nice little pampering luxury and I also like to give some of the local places my business. My nail girl is the best and I like to support her so I have entered back into the nail salon world just for pedicures.
Lots of salons have those massage chairs and I usually don’t use that feature but I did this time. There are a lot of options but I finally settled on the “kneading” option that goes up and down your back as you sit. It felt good. At the time.
Later that night as I got up from the couch I realized how tender my back was from that massage. To the point that it was painful and felt bruised. Really. I overdid the massage chair. Who would have thought that was possible?
But as is very common with me in my life – I get excited about something and get sucked in and over do and don’t always think about the long term. I could have turned it off. I should have turned it off. But I didn’t. My back was tender for two days afterwards just because I didn’t use good judgment.
I know there is a lesson in here for me and I am trying to figure it out.
Don’t try something new? No.
Massage chairs hurt? No, not if used properly.
When trying something different use moderation? Maybe.
I really felt a bit ridiculous. I mean who gets beat up by a massage chair?
On the plus side my toes look lovely and are beach ready for later this month. Win win!
Have you ever had a bad experience with a massage chair? Or is it only me? Let me know in the comments and remember to Comment for a Cause for Reece’s Rainbow.
16 Comments
Leave a commentThis topic caught my eye this morning as I was about to get out my massage chair pad today! It did cross my mind that the first time I used it was very painful! It hurt so good at first, not so much the next day. I’m definitely going to ease into it this time! Thanks for the reminder, especially because I have some busy work days ahead! 😉
Oh I am so glad it’s not just me! I am such a dork when it comes to stuff sometimes! Easy does it!
Ha! I don’t care for the massage option on those chairs, but I do LOVE a pedicure! Need to be scheduling one soon, because at one point, it will get warm enough to wear sandals. I hope!
I will use it sparingly in the future. 😊. Pretty thesis a fun thing to have, right?
I love the massage chairs and getting pedicures. So far I have not experienced any issues but I will keep this post in my mind so I don’t overdo in the future. ☺️
Well it was my stupidity!!! I am sure you are way smarter!
I do not like the massage part of the chairs. They punch or knead or whatever too hard. But does that mean we should exercise our muscles more? I’m ready to go back to the pedicure world, too! My sis and I used to always meet up and have the best time. I recall that she likes the massage chairs, hmmm.
They definitely need a gentler setting for us lightweights!
My ‘toe girl’ had a chair like that too. I didn’t really like the massage so I always declined it. You’re not a tall person and it could be the massage ball thingy wasn’t in the right position for you.
I’ve never used a massage chair, never had a pedicure or manicure. But you did make me laugh (sort of) with your story. Baby steps back to “normal” life even as COVID case numbers rise. Argh.
Great minds think a like, I had a pedicure just yesterday. There were no massage chairs available to tempt me. I did have a massage once (by a person) and couldn’t walk for two days after!
The first time I had a massage, I was in pain for days afterwards, especially my neck and back. Then I found out that I should have been drinking lots of water afterwards to clear out the toxins the massage brings out.
Dittos Mama’s Empty Nest. My mother’s cosmetology course included a unit on the very light massage Americans usually think of as Swedish; she gave foot rubs to women who wore horrible 1950s shoes, and back rubs to children to get them to quieten down and take naps. I grew up knowing how light massage works and not thinking “massage” could do much good or harm to anybody.
Then I started doing massage, and laborers from the factories would insist that only a firmer, deeper move that I thought sounded dangerous could relieve their stiff muscles and dislocated bones. (“I can’t do anything about BONES! I’m not a chiropractor!” “Just hold your hands out!” growled the woman as she shoved herself against my hands, and sure enough her vertebra popped into place.) So in self-defense I studied Neuro-Muscular Therapy and learned to do the kind of massage they wanted. It works, but when I had it done to me by classmates…I was fit, drank a lot of water, and felt better on the whole, but very *different*. People have vivid memories of long-forgotten injuries, what they felt, how they moved, how they should have moved instead.
During the years I was in practice, massage therapists developed a policy of not treating people who use antidepressants. When those drugs tie muscles in knots, those muscles stay tied.
I must admit I am not a massage type person except by my hubby. He gives the best back rubs. The chairs are great for some, I am sure. Sometimes a little goes a long way..
Those massage chairs are no joke!
I just sat in one today and turned it off at the salon. They asked me if I meant to turn it on but it hurt!
It happened when daughter and I went and I stayed in the chair while we got pedicures and while she got her manicure. My back was so sore the next day. But, I love a good massage of any kind so I regret nothing. 😀