Therapeutic Pain Explained
Therapeutic Pain (The Healing Theory): Common Questions
Why is my therapist treating my whole body rather than just the area of pain?
We often focus on trying to relieve symptoms, rather than looking at the underlying cause of pain. The source of pain may stem from physical or emotional trauma and is not always located where the symptoms are being felt.
The philosophy of Myofascial Release (MFR) is to treat the whole person rather than focusing only on the painful area. The body works as one interconnected system, so restrictions in one area can create symptoms somewhere else entirely.
By identifying and addressing the root cause, rather than only the symptoms, the therapist can help restore greater balance, flow, and alignment throughout the body, supporting deeper and more lasting healing.
Why am I feeling worse after treatment?
Sometimes people feel worse before they feel better. This can be part of the body’s natural release process as layers of fascial restriction begin to soften and unwind.
As the fascia changes from a more restricted, solid state back toward a healthier, more fluid state, stored tension and waste products may be released into the bloodstream. This can temporarily leave you feeling tired, emotional, achy, sensitive, or generally unwell.
The body may also revisit old patterns of pain held within the nervous system. Because fascia and the brain are closely connected, previous physical or emotional experiences can sometimes resurface during treatment. Symptoms may temporarily intensify, and emotions or memories may arise as part of the body’s healing and release process.
This usually begins within a day after treatment and settles within a few days, although for some people it may last longer. It is important to understand that this is not a new injury caused by treatment, but rather the body processing and releasing long-held tension, stress, and protective patterns that may have been stored for many years.
What if I feel awful following a session?
Occasionally the release process can feel intense or overwhelming. Although this can feel unsettling, Myofascial Release is not injurious.
Some things that may help include:
- Stay well hydrated
- Gentle movement that feels supportive for your body
- Continue any self-treatment techniques you have been shown
- Be kind and patient with yourself — only do what feels good for your body
- Rest and allow the body time to integrate the changes
- If you feel distressed or overwhelmed, reach out for support. Sometimes an additional MFR session can help you move through a difficult period more gently and comfortably
Spending some quiet time tuning into your body with kindness and compassion can also be helpful. As tension releases, you may notice sensations such as emotions, memories, trembling, sweating, waves of fatigue, or discomfort moving through the body. The aim is not to analyse or resist these experiences, but simply to allow them to move through you naturally, without judgement.
Regular self-treatment, combined with therapy sessions, can often help the healing process progress more smoothly and comfortably.
If any of this resonates, it is likely that your symptoms are coming from the fascial system and that is ‘good news’ as we can treat the fascia and most likely resolve your pain!
The fascia renews and adapts itself all the time so making changes to the fascial system will bring changes that last.
I don’t want to feel or remember these things again
Unresolved trauma can continue to affect the body and nervous system subconsciously, even when we are not fully aware of it. The body may remain in a protective state, continuously bracing against unresolved experiences. Over time, this can contribute to increasing restriction, tension, persistent pain, fatigue, insomnia, and a growing sense of physical or emotional exhaustion.
Allowing these patterns to safely surface and release within a supportive therapeutic environment is often an important part of healing. While this process can sometimes feel uncomfortable, it may be more healing than continuing to suppress or cope with the tension indefinitely.
Chronic internal stress and bracing can also place ongoing strain on the immune and nervous systems, potentially leaving the body feeling depleted and less resilient over time.
I’ve already dealt with this issue; I don’t want to be re-traumatised.
Myofascial Release is not intended to re-traumatise. Experiences that have already been fully processed and resolved generally do not continue to surface in the tissues.
Any emotional or physical release that occurs during treatment happens gradually, gently, and only within the limits of what feels manageable for you. You remain in control throughout the session and can pause or stop the process at any time.
MFR may help uncover and release unresolved patterns held within the body, allowing long-standing restrictions and pain to soften so the body can return to a greater sense of ease, safety, freedom, and wellbeing.
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If you would like to talk to me about therapeutic pain, or my treatments and approaches, please send me a message and I’ll call you back.