Yes it's the Best!

Today was my weekly visit to Chorn. I couldn't take a picture of her, so I took one instead of the sign outside her place.

I attribute maybe 80% of the improvement in the condition of my knee over the past 5 months to her talent.

Before I came out to New Zealand from the USA in October of last year, I was in so much pain from my knee that I had to get 'super drugs' from my doctor to see me through the long flight. Apparently my knee has degenerated from osteo-arthritis and there is no cartilage of which to speak. I was at the point of thinking I would be heading for surgery not long after I arrived. Even osteopathic surgeons had told me the time was drawing near.

But ... fate has a way of intervening. My daughter referred me to this amazing lady who does Thai massage. I have experienced a great many different kinds of massage over the years, and some were pretty darn good. But never have I had anyone stretch my limbs muscles like Chorn does. I could never do this on my own, unless I was some kind of miraculous contortionist.

Chorn's skills and knowledge have been passed down from generation to generation which I am sure contributes greatly to her ability to heal, and even her young granddaughter is already learning the art.

When we experience pain in the body, wherever and for whatever reasons, the natural tendency is to try to protect that part from more pain. And so it was for many years with my knee - although I didn't realise that was what I was doing. I walked and hiked quite a lot, but nevertheless, the muscles around the knee joint had become largely immobilised.

Chorn uses pressure points and stretching to get those muscles working again. And it's not a 'good feeling' massage that leaves you all relaxed and fluffy either. It can hurt like hell at times. And yet, all that pressure has enabled me to gain so much more movement, and the pain level has diminished almost to nothing. Not quite - I think there is a little damage in there - but I would never have believed such a thing was possible 5 months ago.

Today I found myself wondering what on earth I would do on my return to the USA in 3 weeks time. Somehow I need to find another Chorn, maybe one in every town since I plan to wander in my motor home again over the summer.

I'm trusting in fate to lead me in the right direction again.