SBM and I had our wedding right after my last knee surgery. After months of intense physical therapy, yoga and hours on the bike, I still didn't have full flexion, meaning I couldn't bend my knee all the way. I was stuck at 90 degrees, and very frustrated!
I tried EVERYTHING! My physical therapist was resolved to make my knee bend. I would lay face down on the table, and he would physically force the bend and try to break through the scar tissue (OUCH!). SBM couldn’t watch, my yelps of pain were just too much for him… and me too. After all of this, my scar tissue still wouldn’t budge.
My surgeon and physical therapist braced me for the fact that my knees might just not bend all the way again. On the upside, they weren’t going to fall out of their sockets anymore… so these surgeries could be counted as a success…
After all of the knee and wedding madness, I was looking forward to some serious R&R on our honeymoon! SBM and I took a cruise to celebrate, and I eagerly looked over all of the spa treatments available.
In my first massage (I’m a sucker for a good massage) I met Jean. She is a licensed massage therapist as well as a physical therapist – WINNER!! Subsequently, she changed my life. Before she went to work, we discussed my knee and the issues I was having. She gave me some insight to my scar tissue. Since I felt like she knew what she was talking about, I nervously let her work my knee. She worked that little joint over, and I had never felt better. After the massage she suggested I do a seaweed wrap.
A seaweed wrap!? Really? In the spa catalog, the seaweed wrap was touted as a way to detox, smooth out cellulite, tighten skin and potentially lose weight. The process involved: dry-brushing, oil, being wrapped in seaweed paste and then wearing a thermal wrap for 30 minutes. The thermal wrap looked like a spacesuit. There was no mention of anything in the description that sounded like it would help my knee.
I was skeptical, to say the least. And then Jean gave me the run-down. She told me about wraps she used in the past and how they had helped her previous clients. She told me about the arthritic woman, whom after several seaweed wraps, could now use her hand. Jean told me countless stories of how seaweed improved joint mobility and reduced inflammation. In her PT practice, she used seaweed for joint issues regularly.
Jean explained how seaweed works by providing many minerals that our bodies need. It also is a natural anti-inflammatory, and works hard, pulling out toxins and loosening stagnant scar tissue.
I was desperate, she was a good salesperson, and I had the wrap done.
After 30 minutes of relaxing in my “spacesuit wrap,” Jean started the massage portion of the treatment. When she got to my knee, I no longer felt the familiar pull of scar tissue. Because of my physical therapists work, I was accustomed to gritting my teeth through the bend; feeling like my knees were covered in thick, tight rubber bands that could pop at any moment. There was no rubber band feeling, there was a bit of tightness, but I hadn’t felt this much mobility since before my surgery. I was in SHOCK.
She kept bending, and I started crying – ugly crying. Not from pain, but from relief. I could not believe it.
After the treatment, she told me to keep using seaweed, specifically Bladderwrack, and kelp. These items especially helpful, she said, to use after a workout or whenever I felt tension or tightness. The seaweed and kelp also would help relieve muscle soreness, tightness and knots in fascia.
I am so grateful for Jean. I have been using seaweed and kelp ever since.
This experience inspired my new Made By Jennah muscle rub: SEA SOOTHE. This rub works fast to relieve your aches and pains while simultaneously nourishing your skin.
I formulated Sea Soothe with aches, pains, tightness, and muscle soreness in mind. I handcraft each tube of Sea Soothe with organic kelp and Epsom salt. I use nourishing, all natural carrier oils and butters that the skin can absorb quickly. These oils ensure that the healing combination of Essential Oils is carried deep into your body where they can go to work quickly.
I like to use Sea Soothe as an after workout treat. I even use it on my temples and forehead to ease my tension headaches.
Enjoy!
