Traditional Chinese Massage - Not for Faint-hearted

Edmund's down with a very bad back and stiff neck.

It started with a stiff neck over last weekend. He was convinced it was his pillow (which we have not changed since we got married). So I accompanied him to get a state-of-the-art pillow. Sorry, no Tempur--too pricey. We got a Dentons Contour Low Profile pillow, Health-Fresh treated to provide you with a long-lasting fresh & healthy sleep surface. As it was the Great Singapore Sale, we got it at $95, a good 25% discount.

Well, so much for long lasting ... by the time Camp Phenomena ended, his whole back was aching. And today, he woke up with his back as stiff as a board. Couldn't turn, couldn't bend!

So he called his brother, who goes for regular treatment massage for help. That brought us to Rick - a freelance masseuse who's trained in Chinese tui-na, acupuncture and foot reflexology.

We asked for the first available slot and reached his place at 11 a.m.

At first look, Rick said Edmund's problem was due to long hours at the computer, bad sitting posture and accumulated strain. (Ed has been experiencing a strain on his back for the last 3-4 years) It was nothing to do with the pillow! sigh... so much for that expensive investment!

Then he asked, "Can you take pain?"

"NO!!"

"Ok, I'll use moderate strength."

Alas, moderate strength still proved too much for Ed. His back was so badly strained that a slight pressure would cause great pain. Nonetheless, he endured the pain, went through "sucking out water and wind" treatment and moderate massage.

The end result? He could turn his back and neck after the massage. And he has to be back for follow-up treatment on Monday. I'm so proud of him for going through this in Male Silent Strength!

It's really painful ... check out the marks on his back!