"Ouch! That hurts! " - A Deep Tissue Massage Love Story

Published 05 February 2025

Let’s talk about one of the most common complaints in my massage room. A client books a deep tissue massage, excited for some much-needed relief. They lie down, relax, and then… I press on the exact spot that’s been restricting their movement for months.

Suddenly, their whole body tenses, and I hear it:

"Ouch! That hurts!"

Now, I get it. Deep tissue work isn’t exactly like being wrapped in a warm, fluffy cloud. But here’s the thing: I’m not hurting you—I’m helping you. It just so happens that sometimes, those two things feel eerily similar.

Unfortunately, I am not allowed to give you alvedon or to administer anesthesia  (though that would be nice, right?). Instead, I offer you two options:

1. The Slow & Gentle Route – Several sessions, gradually melting away the tension. No sudden shocks, but you’ll need patience. 

2. The Quick & Intense Route – A shorter process, but yes, there might be moments where you question every decision that led you to my massage table. 

Even with this approach, the number of sessions are depending on how rock solid your muscles are from the start. 

Either way, I promise I’m not attacking you—I’m attacking those stubborn knots that have been attacking you for months (or years). And trust me, when that tension is gone, you’ll feel lighter, freer, and so much better.

Massage theraphy is more succesful in collaboration, so I always ask you how much pain you are in or if you are comfortable to make it even deeper. 

So, if you find yourself wincing on my table, just remember: It’s not pain—it’s progress. And if you ever need a distraction, I’m happy to tell you a joke mid-session. Just don’t blame me if laughing makes the deep tissue work feel even deeper!

See you (and your very tight muscles) soon at Hagens Massage!

/ Christine Paner Schale 💖