Thumbs Up

I know my blog title is "Adventures in Korea" but this one actually takes place in Singapore.  More specifically, in a Chinese reflexologist's office.  "Joe" has worked on me before, and on Bonnie, and on Julie, etc.  You get the picture.  This was not a new thing.  But each time you go, it's new.  The technique changes some, and the parts of the body that resist the most changes.  The last time my shoulders gave me the most problem as the hands of the master (and elbow) probed deeply enough to make them sting and ache.  The knees and legs always wince at first sight of the place.  Sometimes, I rise from the table in sheer agony and ecstasy simultaneously.
 
There are points behind the knee that are almost untouchable.  The slightest rub and my toes tingle.  My arm reacts the same--push on the right spot (and he always knows those spots) and my fingers go into uncontrollable spasms.  It is weird to see the fingers moving in ways that you have no control over.

He lays me on my side and carefully arranges my body parts in the correct positions proceeding to abruptly snap me in two, or so it feels and sounds that way.   Again, sheer pain and ecstasy simultaneously.  Why do I love such torture?  It seems so good to hurt!

But nothing caused both of us so much trouble today as my right thumb, of all things.  After thoroughly massaging the hand, he began his routine of pulling the fingers and snapping them.  All went well until he came to the thumb.  He pulled and the only response was a yell from me.  He looked down puzzled at the thumb, gently touching it with his fingers as he diagnosed it.  With his heavy accent he mumbled "problem."  He told me he felt the pain in it each time he put pressure on it.  So did I!   After massaging it more and making circular motions with it, he braced his bare foot against my armpit, grabbed the thumb and yanked.  The thumb had no choice but to break or move.  It moved!  He told me the thumb was out of joint.  I suddenly noticed my thumb movement was more free than in it had been in weeks.  It seems he knows his stuff.  We shall see tomorrow what things feel like.  In the meantime, "thumbs up everybody!"