Is It Sensational or Is It Painful?

This is a question I often ask clients during deep tissue massage or myofascial release treatments.

Understanding the difference is important because when it comes to manual therapy, more pressure doesn't necessarily mean better results.

Every sensation we experience is processed by the central nervous system. As therapists, we need to provide enough stimulus to encourage change without overwhelming the body's ability to respond. When treatment becomes excessively painful, the body can become guarded and protective, potentially reducing the benefits of the treatment and, in some cases, creating unnecessary soreness or irritation.

Most of us have either experienced, or know someone who has experienced, a treatment that was so aggressive it left them bruised and sore for days afterwards. Often, when the soreness eventually settles, people assume the treatment was effective because they feel better than they did immediately after the session.

In my view, that's not always the case.

What may actually be happening is that the body has simply recovered from the inflammation and discomfort created by the treatment itself. The relief felt several days later isn't necessarily evidence that the underlying problem has been resolved.

This brings me to the term sensational.

A sensational treatment experience is one where the sensation is noticeable and therapeutic, but remains within a comfortable and tolerable range. It's the feeling of "good pain"—enough pressure to create a meaningful response without overwhelming the nervous system.

When treatment is delivered skilfully, clients often notice a reduction in pain, tension, or restriction either during the session or shortly afterwards. While hands-on therapy can be incredibly effective, lasting results are usually achieved when treatment is combined with the right advice, exercise, movement strategies, activity modification, and lifestyle changes.

As therapists, we use our hands to influence the body's tissues and nervous system. But when choosing a therapist, it's worth asking yourself an important question:

Are you receiving treatment that helps your body adapt and improve, or treatment that simply leaves you sore and hoping the discomfort eventually subsides?

Choose wisely.

Peter Pascalis is a Clinical Myotherapist and Remedial Massage Therapist. He began studying Remedial Massage in 2010 and completed his Bachelor of Myotherapy in 2023. Peter is passionate about helping people move better, feel better, and achieve lasting improvements in their health and wellbeing.