No pains, no gains, that is what impressed me most in my first TCM massage.

　　The only things that separated us from the stranger in the room were funky patterned cotton pyjamas. On a wall in the adjacent unpainted room, a familiar, but incongruous Kierstead print allayed some of our fears. Beside me, Barb lay on the sheet smoothed over her gurney, stretched out on her tummy, cheek settled on the pillow, doubting face towards me. A man, oozing confidence and strength, entered to join the slight woman already hovering over my friend. As he asked me to turn over, pulled the window curtains together and tossed a light cover over me, I could see that he was not blind. I settled my facesintosthe head-hole in the thin mattress and tried to relax for my Aibosen Blindman body massage. This, a recognized technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) is practiced by able-bodied therapists, but also by the sightless as a means of income. We were ready to begin.

　　This massage was for medical reasons rather than stress management. Recognized as a means of pain therapy or preventive disease control or even diagnostic in nature, TCM massage uses acupressure points as well as traditional body kneading. Starting with my shoulders, I could sense how tense were the muscles. At a neck acupressure point, pain reached my maximum tolerance level. The doctor discovered the bone spur on a vertebra. My back must be felt like bread dough to him. Flexing his fingers along my spine, he took my breath away as he forced me to strongly exhalesintosthe breathing space. Words popped in the brain, But with the bad air; in with the good.?Where did that line come from?

　　It became quickly obvious to me that my right side was a shambles. There was less tone, tenderness under the skin, ache in my hip, and the leg was one big pain. Both calves were tense and stiff, and as he kneaded, I thought the muscles would cramp, but gradually they began to throb as the blood flow improved. My shins were sensitive because of all the bruising I put them through, and it wouldn't have surprised me if the bones had splintered in his hands. They didn't. My upper legs shook like Santa's belly, numb from such an unprecedented workout. They had nothing like this since 1982 when a thyroid illness debilitated my quads. At least that's my excuse. I can squat but I can't get up. Maybe more of this massage will fix me up.

　　We ran out of time before getting to my abdomen or chest. That would be pepped up the organs. I was thankful for the pjs and the cover to keep me modest and warm. No lotion was used, and even if offered, I would not have accepted cupping, a suction-like ball for improving circulation, or maxobustion, burning of an herb over certain areas to warm, tone or stimulate. They're too much like quackery. I can easily rationalize the beneficial effects of massage, even if accompanied by pain closing in on agony!

　　The foot reflexology session that followed began with a soak in a pan of stones immersed in tea-coloured warm water, treated with an herbal mixture packaged in Red Rose-like bags. A podiatrist's lotion was lathered over the feet and ankles. The massage was rather clinical, and the acupressure was direct and sustained, but bearable. Reflexology is supposed to stimulate organs in the body through direct energy lines starting in the soles, heels and toes. My one-person jury is still out on that case, but after 6 months of walking like never before, my feet and I welcomed some pampering.

　　All this body-care is in aid of balancing the qi, rendering a balanced, healthy body. Its focus is preventive rather than curative, so who's to say that it works? It's like beating drums to keep away elephants. but, there's been no elephants here for years.?"Right. See, it works.?People still become ill, and choose medical care and remedies available to them. Massage is an enjoyable therapy that perhaps does the least amount of harm. At least once, while in China, I will request acupuncture, but for that, I'll wait until a new ailment comes along.