Spaces in Between Us

adventures in embodiment

[embodyblog]

Embodiment is a constant struggle.

I think that's all my thoughts and feelings on the subject for today.

I mean, the struggle's probably worth it. Embodiment is also the site of much of what makes being a human being amazing -- at least for me. But I wish I could take a break sometimes.

I guess that's sort of what dissociation is: a temporary break from embodiment. And I have a whole toolbag full of tips and tricks for doing that. But...but nothing. I dunno. Maybe dissociation is adaptive when it's a skill you have for handling the struggles of embodiment sustainably. And not so much when it's just a state you get thrown into involuntarily because being embodied just got way too hard in that moment / day / year.

Ultimately, bodies are interesting (in the way that all complex systems and scientific phenomena are interesting) but, personally, I think I care way less about bodies themselves than I do about what the psychoemotional experience of being embodied is like. This probably makes me ideally suited for doing certain kinds of bodywork and not really cut out to excel at certain others.

And I think THAT'S probably all I have to say on the subject for this evening.

Also, I farted while giving a massage today. I've never done that before. Pretty embarrassing.

So, like I said, a constant struggle.

[embodyblog]

New Year, New Username

Hello there! It's been a while.

One of my goals for 2019 is to try and blog five times a week on the subject of embodiment. I've been doing a lot of writing the past couple of years but very little of it publicly. It feels like it might be time to gradually peek out into the world again.

But, as writing projects (and maybe all projects) go, I'm notorious for letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. I'm trying not to do that here, so instead of starting up a whole new blog, I'm just going to take advantage of the one I've already got. Hi.

My theme for this project is embodiment. Specifically, I want to try and collate my wide range of body-related interests and maybe start to draw out some common themes and patterns.

I'm sure I'll still be blogging about anatomy and bodywork a lot, since that's most of what I spend my day doing. But some other topics you might start seeing here include:

* sexuality and gender stuff (as much as tumblr will let me)

* mental and physical disability / wellness stuff

* radical body-positive politics

* transhumanism and cyborg stuff

* cool body art!

And just generally anything that can be tied back into the experience of being in and caring for a human body.

I'll probably be doing a little LESS professional networking with other therapists, answering questions about massage business things, reblogging peoples' cute treatment rooms etc. (Although I'm still happy to see that stuff!) Also, probably more words and fewer pictures. But it's Tumblr, so I'm sure there will still be plenty of pictures.

So, that's the update. If this shift doesn't appeal to you, please feel free to unfollow me. I won't be offended. If it does appeal to you, stick around -- and maybe tell your friends!

[scaredykyleisgonnagosoon]

So I was taught a lesson in how to get rid of a migraine in 30 seconds and omfg listen my migraines don’t go away ever but I was shown what part of my body to touch and like???????????????

It’s witchcraft????????? Like I would be burned at the stake if I lived in ye olde days knowing that information?????

What the fuck??????

[countrygirlil2015]

Spill it! Lol….Hooooowwwww?? Had migraines since age 9….😓😓😓

[scaredykyleisgonnagosoon]

Its called the T4 push, but I literally can’t find the info online????? I guess I’m not searching good enough? These medical fuckers are holdin out on us lol.

It’s best to have someone do this for you while you stand up and relax your muscles as best you can, but if you’re alone, a tennis ball and a flat surface will probably work. Alternatively you can lie on the edge of a bed at the pressure point. (But no really do try to find someone to do it for you)

Find the area in your spine between either the first, second, third, or fourth vertebrae. It should be sore and uncomfortable to press down on, so look for the one that’s most painful, and press down with as much pressure as you can on that area for 30 seconds.

Realize that 80% of your pain has magically disappeared and keep the info secret if you live in a small puritan town, lest you be tried for witchcraft.

If you don’t have to worry about being burned or hanged, then share the info with your migraine suffering friends.

[systlin]

As someone who wrote a 10k word paper on pressure points for a high belt ranking test in her martial arts class, I can tell you that you just found a pressure point used in acupressure and acupuncture to relieve pain, particularly that in the head. :)

[arirashkae]

Hand to god we discovered this by accident when my husband was rubbing my neck and I nearly collapsed it felt so good

[blame-my-muses]

This post was sent by literal angels??? I’ve had a persistent low-level headache for nearly 24hrs and now it’s gone??? In 30 seconds? What gods did you sacrifice to for this information!?!?

[river-rider-with-cats-deactivat]

As a medical massage therapist, I thought I would give my two cents.

This is good for tension migranes and normal migraines, but actually pretty useless for sinus migraines. It’ll help for a hot second, but quickly come back. (These are usually the migraines behind your eyes, in your ears, and behind your forehead. Sometimes it can feel like jaw pain or TMJ) for sinus migraines, behind the ear in a divot. Press down firmly and pull towards your collarbone. That’ll drain your sinuses. Also, pressing around the eye socket on the cheekbones help. There is also a little triangle up away from the eye in the eyebrow bone. Press and hold pretty hard and that’ll relieve that behind the forehead pain. Also, ear pulling is great to help move sinuses around.

Don’t forget the temples too! Press firmly and hold. Open and close your jaw while holding your temples. It’ll feel weird, but it’ll help with jaw pain. It’ll work a similar way if you hold the jaw joint under your cheekbone.

And never underestimate the power of a foot massage!! Give minutes can be all the difference!! Our feet are our base. If they hurt even a little, somewhere else in your body will hurt. Treat your feet and sinuses kindly!

[thenudewitchofthenorth]

As a lifelong sufferer from frequent migraines I will reblog this everytime I see it, for myself and my fellow sufferers!!

[bloodytales]

Teach boys about periods

My mother also talked about periods to my brothers.

When I first got mine I had terrible cramps. Crippling cramps. I once was camping with my family and a few of my big brother’s friends when my period came. My cramps were so bad that my mom gave me a full pain killer ( I was 13 and before that she only gave me pills cut in half).

I literally laid down on my parents’ air mattress and cried in pain for an hour before the pill kicked in.

My brothers friend came in to the big tent and I was just curled up and sobbing. Now, I was quite the tomboy and was known to rough house with my brothers and their friends and made sure I wasnt seen as just “a little girl.” So my brother’s friend was confused to see me openly weeping in the fetal position (seriously, these were the worst cramps I have had in my life. My vision went white). He asked what was wrong with me.

My big brother stood up immediately and suggested a nice long hike. During this hike I am sure he had a pretty awkward conversation with his friend explaining menstrual cramps, because when they got back the pain pill had (mostly) kicked in and I was sitting up at a table when my brother’s friend sheepishly asked me if I was feeling better. I said I was better, and he said good.

When we made s'mores that night my brother and his friend kept me well supplied with chocolate.

Making sure sons know as much about periods and menstruation as daughters makes them better brothers, better sons better fathers, and better men. A man that understands a period will not lightly accuse a woman of “being on her period” if the woman is in an argument.

Raise better sons Teach them about normal bodily functions.

[debrides]

I worked with toddlers and pre schoolers for three years. Sometimes I accidentally slip and tell a friend to say bye to an inanimate object (“say bye bus!”) & occasionally they unthinkingly just do it.

[lesbirdan]

I’m glad there’s a teacher version of “accidentally called teacher ‘mom’”

[hermionegranger]

when I worked at Medieval Times occasionally I would slip in real life and call people “my lord”

[mugsandpugs1-deactivated2019010]

One time during family prayer, dad began: “our father who art in heaven, American Airlines, how can I help you?”

[thomrainierskies]

One time my dad went to the White Castle drive-thru and the lady (who was supposed to say ‘Welcome to White Castle, what’s your crave?’) asked, “Welcome to White Castle, what’s your problem?”

She apologized profusely while my dad proceeded to lose his shit laughing.

[mirab3lle]

Yesterday I went to Wendy’s and the girl said “Welcome to McDonalds” and then just sighed

[icouldwritebooks]

Somebody in the elevator asked me what floor I lived on, and I answered “please open your books to page eight”, and we just kind of stared at each other, blinking.

[crimeronan]

i work retail full time and my script gets frequently messy - ill ask the same question twice, or say “$2.60 is your total” while handing back their change, or say “how are you doing today?” instead of “have a good day!” like name it ive bungled it

but anyway, this lady came thru my line buying a book and the review on the front said: “few books are well written, fewer still are important, and this book manages to be both”

as i handed her the bag i was trying to say “thanks, youre all set” and instead my brain mashed up the review and i said “thanks, youre important”

there was this short pause in which i tried to figure out what the fuck id just said. she blinked and then said “oh thank you! youre important too!”

the real kicker was one of my coworkers. when i was relating this story later his response was “at least you said something NICE. last week i accidentally combined ‘youre welcome’ and ‘no problem’ into ‘youre a problem’”

[agrestenoir]

one time, since I used to work as a daycare teacher with preschoolers, i was on my college campus in my gym, and someone was running in the weight room and tripped over a machine and fell, and instead of offering to help, I just stared and said, “This is why we use our walking feet.” we both sat there for a while until the guy nodded and said, “yeah, okay, i should’ve done that.”

[gin-and-eschatonic]

I’ve spent a good chunk of time working in kitchens, so I still will reflexively say shit like “behind” and “coming around” as I maneuver through spaces and around people.

Which, actually, not such a bad thing; I’m a big guy and can come across as imposing pretty easily. The position calls can help defuse that, and also help avoid collisions.

Less good is the time my brain was half functional and I let slip a “coming with a knife” while grocery shopping. THAT took some explaining.

[harold-theyre-thespians]

I work in an office and send tens of emails to customers every day. Once my mum asked me to send her a train ticket I had bought for her. I emailed her “Hello mum, as agreed, please find attached the ticked you requested. Thanks, Alex”

[narwhalsarefalling]

i worked as a camp counselor, and i would have the kids tap somewhere on my legs if they needed something because im a pretty tall dude. today asked my cat if he needed something.

[wren-likethe-bird]

I have woken up in a cold sweat saying “is that for here or to go?”

[embodyblog]

This made me laugh so hard.

Full disclosure: I have proooobably asked people, "How's the pressure? Doing okay so far?" during sex. 😶

[ithelpstodream]

When many people think of the signs and symptoms of depression, they think of sadness or withdrawal — but stigma surrounding depression may be preventing us from thinking about it more dynamically. Because everyone is different, the way that depression manifests can vary based on many factors, including race. However, a recent study from the University of Chicago Press found that the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the test widely used to screen people for depression, is much more effective at determining the mental state of white people than people from other backgrounds — particularly young black people.

Researchers found that black youth, especially those living in poverty, express their depression differently from other groups — and that signs and symptoms experienced by white people may not effectively be used to measure the mental health of other demographic groups.

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/test-used-treat-depression-made-for-white-people

[noctomania]

The recent study on the CES-D test also found that other depression screening tests may have similar limitations because many were developed by studying middle class white women…

…This failure is particularly important since black people are 20% more likely to report serious psychological distress than white adults. According to Mental Health America, more than 6.8 million black Americans had a diagnosable mental illness in 2014.

[incaseyouart]

The arm & study life drawing assignment from the last couple of weeks~ (I posted those hand gestures in another post earlier, but I liked the arrangement of them this way haha) 

I realized that I made his forearm too short - but it was too late to fix it after I’d done the bones and muscles D: 

[purplebuddhaproject]

[embodyblog]

Also, hi! I haven't been here in a while but maybe I'll start posting again. 😊

I'm living in Pennsylvania and working at a little independent spa near my house (plus a few hours a week at a local gym, just so that I can get access to their fitness center...by which I mean hot tub.)

It's the first time I've been in situation where I can basically work as much as I want, so I've been trying to figure out how much that is. For the past few months, it's been a lot -- about 6 days a week between the two jobs and various volunteer things -- but I probably need to either cut back my hours or start spending more of my free-time in the gym because...ow.

But right now, I'm chilling in the breakroom and drinking a cup of coffee, because my client who's always late is late. How've you all been?

[embodyblog]

I was just working on a client and listening to this "Jazz Piano" Spotify playlist. Towards the end, Rhapsody in Blue came on. It played the little piece that United Airlines uses as their jingle right as we were finishing up. I wanted so badly to say, "Thank you for flying with us" but I wasn't sure if he'd get it. 🛫

[studiescape-blog]

It isn’t perfect, but I love it

[chaosophia218]

Antique Scientific Illustration of Human Anatomy, “Encyclopedia Britannica”, 1850.

[tenebrum]

[castironjackelope]

THIS IS NOT AN ANATOMICALLY CORRECT SKELETON

[batscoundrel]

But it IS the GREAT PAPYRUS.

NYEH HEH HEHHH!

[dinosaur-j]

[embodyblog]

Clients.

Clients you like. Clients you don't like. Clients who are more into you than you are into them. That one client who never tips but they're super nice so you really don't mind. Every other fucking client who doesn't tip. Clients who show up late and clients who show up early while you're still in the breakroom trying to wolf down half a frozen burrito and clients who you know you can show up late for because they'll laugh and say, "No problem, hon, traffic happens!" Soccer Sean, Tennis Elbow Guy, clients you have innocent nicknames for. Clients you have less innocent nicknames for. Clients who fart. Clients who want a "normal" massage. Clients who've been hurt before. Clients who walk in wearing that amazing blue high-low dress and look just like Blake Lively and you have to tell yourself, "Jesus, girl, keep it together!" and "Turn that part of your brain off, stat" when you leave them in the room to undress. Clients who are notorious for something. Regular clients who come twice a month. Clients you worry about when they don't show up. Clients who were referred by your mom. Your mom. Clients with dry feet. Whose hair just will not stay out of the way. Who say, "THERE! Where your hand is right now. That's the spot." Who go to the gym. Who pick up heavy toddlers all day. Who know more about anatomy than you do. Who smoke. Clients you'd rather do trades with, because you know they cut hair or fix cars or tattoo, but you're not quite sure how to bring it up yet. Clients who want to trade you weird shit you don't need. Like a website. Clients you would work on for free but they wouldn't let you. The ones who let you. Who bring you fresh eggs from their farm. Clients you love to touch. Clients you touch for the money. Clients you wish you could fix. Your last client of the day. Your first client ever. Clients.

[embodyblog]

You're coming to PA? :o

Yep! I'm moving to Pittsburgh at the end of the summer. I'm really excited about it. Are you in PA?

[effervecent]

[futurecanadianmd]

doing prep for next year’s syllabus by drawing some anatomy stuff