It's the question most of us ask ourselves before our first deep tissue massage: Is this going to hurt? You've likely heard a friend say how painful it was, through clenched teeth, or watched someone flinch in a film as the therapist digs furiously into their back. And so it's only natural to be a little apprehensive. The reality is better than the reputation, but not totally without caveats. If you have been delaying getting your deep tissue massage treatments in Leamington