Quick Answer: A massage doesn’t need to be painful to be worthwhile. Some firm pressure, tight muscles or assisted stretches can feel intense or tender, but the treatment should stay within a level you’re comfortable with. Pailin adjusts pressure and stretching to you, and you can ask her to ease off at any time. You never need to tolerate pain because you think stronger must mean better.
Worrying about pain is common, particularly if you’ve never had Thai or Deep Tissue Massage before.
Names such as “Deep Tissue” can make it sound as though discomfort is part of the point.
It isn’t.
Firm pressure and pain aren’t the same thing
Some people enjoy quite firm massage. Others prefer much lighter pressure.
Neither is more correct.
Working around a tight muscle can sometimes feel tender, and an assisted stretch may create a strong stretching sensation, but Pailin isn’t trying to find the maximum amount of pressure you can tolerate.
The useful level is the one that feels appropriate for you.
That can also change from one part of the body to another. Pressure that feels comfortable around your back may feel too strong somewhere more sensitive.
Pailin can adapt as she goes.
Does Traditional Thai Massage hurt?
Traditional Thai Massage can include pressure, compression, movement and assisted stretching.
Some of those techniques can feel firm, especially around areas that are already tight, but Thai Massage doesn’t have to be painful.
The stretches are also adapted to your comfortable range of movement.
You don’t need to be flexible and Pailin isn’t trying to push you into a position your body doesn’t comfortably allow.
What about Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep Tissue Massage is more focused around particular muscles and areas of tightness, so some parts can feel more intense.
But “deep” doesn’t mean “as hard as possible”.
Pailin can work firmly while still adjusting the treatment according to your response.
If you’ve heard people say that Deep Tissue Massage is supposed to hurt before it works, you don’t need to accept that as a rule.
And Sports Massage?
Sports Massage at Sabaidee combines focused massage with Thai-style assisted stretching.
It isn’t clinical sports therapy and it isn’t an injury treatment.
Massage around muscles that feel heavily worked after exercise can sometimes feel tender, while stretches can create a stronger sensation as Pailin moves you through a comfortable range.
Again, nothing should feel forced.
If you have an injury, persistent or unexplained pain, swelling, numbness, weakness or symptoms that need assessment, massage isn’t the right way to find out what is wrong. Speak to a physiotherapist, GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Tell Pailin what you’re feeling
You don’t need to stay silent during a massage.
Useful things to say include:
“That’s a little too strong.”
“Could you use less pressure there?”
“That stretch feels enough.”
“Can we avoid that area?”
You can also ask for firmer pressure if the treatment feels too light for your preference.
This isn’t complaining or interrupting the massage. It is useful information that helps Pailin adapt the treatment to you.
Your first appointment helps establish what feels right
If you’ve never had massage before, you may genuinely have no idea whether you prefer light, medium or firm pressure.
That’s fine.
You can tell Pailin that at the beginning and see how different techniques feel.
Your first visit starts with a conversation and the treatment can then be adjusted as it progresses. See What happens during my first appointment? for the full first-visit process.
If you’re also unsure about clothing or changing, read What should I wear?.
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Next step
If concern about pain or pressure is making you unsure about arranging a massage, contact Pailin and tell her what you’re worried about before you decide.