Great Escapes: The Spa in Your Bathroom

It's Wednesday, hump-day for moms. The good news is, even though your back hurts, you're already halfway through the week. The bad news is, your back hurts and you're only halfway through the week.

No problem. Just drop in to see your massage therapist for a quick 90-minute treatment or dash off to the luxury spa, right? Back in the real world, your daughter has soccer today and you need to grocery shop on the way home.

What if you could get the results of a massage at home while your kids sleep, without the $100 expense? It's possible, with stuff you have around the house.

You'll need an hour to yourself, so skip doing the dishes and have your spouse put the kids to bed. You'll need the following supplies; a glass of wine or tea with brandy, Epsom salts, a thin washcloth, topical analgesic, a thumping massager or two tennis balls, a heating pad and a tall glass of water.

Start with a glass of wine or spiked decaf tea. Sip while you remove the baby bath toys from the tub, and fill it with steaming water. Use the washcloth to plug the overflow drain in the tub so you can fill it enough to immerse your whole body.

Toss in some Epsom salt, available at or . The combination of magnesium and heat eases stress, reduces inflammation, relieves joint pain and relaxes cramped muscles. Pro athletes rely on Epsom salt soaks for injuries and muscle aches. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Don't worry, it won't dry your skin out; it actually softens it. For the added benefit of aromatherapy, has lavender scented salts.

After your bath, apply a topical analgesic to painful areas. Strong smelling menthol-based creams such as Ben Gay are available at grocery and drug stores. White Flower Oil smells of camphor, gets tingly and works quickly. For a fragrance-free, non-tingly remedy, Traumeel is a homeopathic analgesic and anti-inflammatory that works wonderfully because it treats the problem and the pain. It's twice the price, but worth it. White Flower and Traumeel are available at Earthly Nutrition.

Next, a thumping massager, also called a percussion massager, feels like a Swedish massage. sells a great percussion massager for $40. Ask your lovely spouse to use it on your back for 5-10 minutes. An alternative is the tennis ball, one or two (taped together). Lie flat on your back, tuck them under tight muscles and use your weight to release knots.

Spend the last 10 minutes on a heating pad. Don't waste money on expensive one-time-use heating patches that don't create real heat. Get an electric heating pad from the drugstore that you can use again and again.

For neck pain, fill a large sock with uncooked rice and tie it closed. Heat in the microwave until hot and wrap it around your neck and shoulders.

Finally, rehydrate with a tall glass of water. Don't ruin the feeling by paying bills or checking e-mail. Take advantage of your relaxed state and get a good night's sleep. Your spouse may notice your improved mood, so don't be surprised if you have a hot tea and bath prepared for you at bedtime a couple of times a week.