Inhibition techniques should be painful to be effective.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes painful
• D. Always painful

Answer: (B)

Inhibition techniques are all about calming the nervous system to reduce excessive muscle tone, not about causing pain. Pain tends to trigger protective reflexes and sympathetic arousal, which can actually increase guarding and rigidity, making inhibition harder and less effective. The goal is comfortable, non-painful input that gradually quiets hypertonic muscles—think slow, gentle contact, prolonged, soothing pressure, and controlled, lengthening stretches held long enough to influence muscle spindle activity. If a technique hurts, it should be stopped or adjusted because the aim is relaxation, not distress. While you might encounter techniques that tolerate mild discomfort at the very start for some individuals, the standard practice is non-painful input, so the statement that inhibition techniques should be painful is not correct.