Is the “no pain, no gain” therapeutic massage really that therapeutic?

Our Central Nervous System has two components: the Sympathetic “Fight & Flight” stress response; and the Parasympathetic “Rest & Digest” healing response.  These systems respond like a toggle switch, meaning that you can either be in a stressed response or a healing response, but not both at the same time.  My feeling is that a patient has visited me to obtain healing, therefore I respect the need to keep them in that Parasympathetic response. Using a 0-10 Pain Scale, we agree that 0 = No Pain, and 10 = Excruciating Pain. The range of 1 – 7 is an uncomfortable sensation to feel-good pain range, but remains within the Parasympathetic response.

We agree that the range from 8-10 would be considered a “bad pain place” (Sympathetic Response) where we might respond with sweaty palms, clenching fists or jaw, and a countdown to treatment completion. Most therapists check in frequently to monitor the patient’s experience. Honesty from the patient is a must otherwise they risk injury, never mind the healing they hoped to gain.

Expressions of discomfort are part of the therapeutic process, so if your “Ouch!” was intended to get the therapist to stop, and they haven’t… perhaps vocabulary like “Please ease up!” or “Stop!” would be more effective.