Scapulae and Ringing Cedars - Massage #5 of 20

This sand bowl - with objects for meditation and relaxation - sits on a table in the reception area at the Center for Well Being on Hill Street in Monroe, WA

I received massage number 5 in 20 from Louise at the Center for Well Being in Monroe on Hill Street. Click here for a photo of Louise. 

Before the massage, I caught Louise in the hallway studying my chart as if trying to gain insights into the puzzle that is my shoulder. She and I had had an opportunity to talk briefly about the numbness in my right arm but to tell the truth at the time I did not want to put any more focus on my neck and shoulder woes. I was in the mood for a simple, relaxing massage.

I don’t know Louise well but I have gathered that she is a person of some depth and caring. I also detected that she may be a bit wild, in the way, for instance, that the wind is wild. It was not anything she said or did to mimic the wind specifically and she is always very professional. I say this based only on a feeling or sense about the potential of what she carries inside of her. In fact, this was my second massage with Louise and I was looking forward to working with her specifically because of the experience she created in our first massage together.

Even before the advent of this massage marathon, I was always asking for help loosening up shoulders, shoulder blades, arms and back. Prior to working with Louise I had not thought of being wind-like as a quality that would make a difference one way or another in a massage. However, after our first massage, I began to see it differently. Something about Louise suggests a wealth of experience - a way of moving into and expanding narrow passageways - like her work with autistic children - allowing her to notice and respond to needs both subtle and important. 

In our first massage, though I had not asked for it, Louise brought a sense of gentle focus as she worked my scapula muscles. She also talked in musical tones about a book, The Ringing Cedars of Russia, and the way the author - this is what I took away from the conversation - describes the beauty and healing power humans can tap into by connecting with the Earth. Louise's inspiration was clear and bell-like, so much so I imagined it recalled the ringing of the trees in this book. I was persuaded to put the book on hold for myself at the local library. (It’s a popular book, so even weeks later I am still waiting for my turn to check it out!). 

I have heard that the shoulder blades of adults tend to be held tight - as if glued - to the back from the pressure of tense and contracted muscles. The scapulae of children, however, are loose and bony by comparison. Children can be so relaxed in their bodies that when looking at a young one from behind you’ll often see two scapulae protruding as bony triangles. After my first massage with Louise my shoulder blades were so loose I could feel them sticking into the chair back as I sat at my computer. I took this sudden boniness as a good sign as it is important to maintaining muscle health to give chronically tight muscles opportunities for relaxation.