My massage was painful and a bit strange. It took me most of the session to realize that part of the problem was the therapist's thumb nail was too long and was digging in when she was applying pressure. The pressure was also a bit too much. I didn't complain enough at the time as I was trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, but even two days later I had some sore spots solely from being over-pressured. There was also strange tapping and shaking involved that I have never experienced.