Pain: Tolerance vs Threshold

[Lizzie_Borden]

/cue some rambling and random questions

So, I'm starting to think that my threshold for pain is quite high, but that my tolerance range once that point is reached, is fairly narrow.

I've been engaging in some impact play the last few weeks, after a long time without. Originally, I was quite nervous, because of the time factor I'd thought that maybe I'd have to start easy and build up again.

It was quite the opposite. In fact, I even scared myself at one point by thinking "I can see the effort, I can hear the noise, but where's the hurt?" It just wasn't registering on my brain. I couldn't feel it. I wanted more, much more. But I know better that to rush.

It's causing some conflicting feelings.

I'm almost wishing I did have to start near the bottom again. I'm wishing my threshold was lower, but my tolerance greater... I'd rather have something hurt just enough, that I could go with for some time, rather than have something hurt a great deal that I could only cope with few a few minutes at a time.

Would you prefer greater tolerance or a higher threshold?

I know thresholds can be built over time, but can tolerance be worked on? Or is it just what it is?

Ugh.

/end ramble

 

[the captians wench]

Personally, I think tolerance has always been a battle of wills for me.

I have a fairly low pain tolerance, and a moderate threshold at best, but I am VERY strong willed. When it comes to my will to please, it will overthrow my tolerance...tip the scales if you will.

 

[mylaceratedheart]

Just a slight tangent if nobody minds but in my personals ad here I said that light pain turns me on. I haven't really explored my threshold at all. I've since had pms saying that pain should be endured for the dominant's pleasure or for my training and therefore my enjoyment of it isn't relevant. Is this a common view?

Sorry to veer off sideways a little.

 

[Lizzie_Borden]

Personally, I think tolerance has always been a battle of wills for me.

I have a fairly low pain tolerance, and a moderate threshold at best, but I am VERY strong willed. When it comes to my will to please, it will overthrow my tolerance...tip the scales if you will.

Does it depend on the type of pain, do you think?

I've been thinking a bit further on it, and wondering if that would make a difference.

 

[cromsgirl]

Just a slight tangent if nobody minds but in my personals ad here I said that light pain turns me on. I haven't really explored my threshold at all. I've since had pms saying that pain should be endured for the dominant's pleasure or for my training and therefore my enjoyment of it isn't relevant. Is this a common view?

Sorry to veer off sideways a little.

It is a fairly common view from what I have read. My relations fall (I think) more in the Top/bottom category, but he is less satisfied if I am not in the correct head space for it to be pleasurable. When I am in the head space, at most it stings a little, and in a good way. If not, a much lower force is painful. The one time this happened, he stopped after a short time and we did other things.

 

[CutieMouse]

Just a slight tangent if nobody minds but in my personals ad here I said that light pain turns me on. I haven't really explored my threshold at all. I've since had pms saying that pain should be endured for the dominant's pleasure or for my training and therefore my enjoyment of it isn't relevant. Is this a common view?

Sorry to veer off sideways a little.

Mmmm... yes and no. If you aren't into pain, you aren't into pain. Plenty of people practice power based BDSM relationships without it [pain]. Submissive does not = masochist; masochist does not = submissive and all that.

The flip side of that is that being submissive isn't all about you - meaning, there will probably be times when you find yourself doing things you do.not.like. At all. Just because the PYL wants you to.

 

[sadangel]

/cue some rambling and random questions

So, I'm starting to think that my threshold for pain is quite high, but that my tolerance range once that point is reached, is fairly narrow.

I've been engaging in some impact play the last few weeks, after a long time without. Originally, I was quite nervous, because of the time factor I'd thought that maybe I'd have to start easy and build up again.

It was quite the opposite. In fact, I even scared myself at one point by thinking "I can see the effort, I can hear the noise, but where's the hurt?" It just wasn't registering on my brain. I couldn't feel it. I wanted more, much more. But I know better that to rush.

It's causing some conflicting feelings.

I'm almost wishing I did have to start near the bottom again. I'm wishing my threshold was lower, but my tolerance greater... I'd rather have something hurt just enough, that I could go with for some time, rather than have something hurt a great deal that I could only cope with few a few minutes at a time.

Would you prefer greater tolerance or a higher threshold?

I know thresholds can be built over time, but can tolerance be worked on? Or is it just what it is?

Ugh.

/end ramble

I feel odd. I have an extemely high tolerence and threshold for pain. I always have. Sometimes I wish I could feel the pain more. It brings me to that place of pleasure that I can't describe.

 

[the captians wench]

Does it depend on the type of pain, do you think?

I've been thinking a bit further on it, and wondering if that would make a difference.

The type of pain does make a huge difference for me.

Thuddy pain I can kind of zone out on and just let you go at me until I'm so bloody and beaten that one might ponder on calling a doc. This has pleased some, and annoyed others, but still others found ways around it and ways to keep me grounded so I feel every hit rather than zone out.

Sharp pain I can't zone out of as easily, and there for it usually wins over my stubbornness. There does eventually come a point when the pain blurs, but I have to put a lot of effort into getting to that point.

 

[ouchfeelsgood]

Pain v. Tolerance

Interesting subject.

I think my tolerance level has certainly increased in general over the years. I've noticed, paradoxically, that my tolerance actually decreases for scenes which are repetitions of prior scenes -- maybe the repetition becomes boring after a bit, and my body (and mind) just want to end the scene earlier. On the other hand -- a completely novel scene that I find especially stimulating and exciting might increase my tolerance level because I don't want the scene to end prematurely. Maybe for short term experiences -- such as single scenes -- it's really pain level that comes into play, and not tolerance -- which is something that needs to be built up over time.

But there are certain things that, for me, don't change over time no matter how long the time period is. For example -- I can take a good amount of abuse to my cock, but I can never, under almost any circumstances, take the same level on my balls, (at least in the area of impact play). That's purely a pain issue for me, and not a tolerance level thing that can be worked on over time.

Now that I've confused myself-- and most likely others -- I'll stop typing.

 

[Mistressmauve]

Pain

I was recently getting fisted by my friend and when I was
coming he kept playing with my clitoris even when I asked
him to stop. This was quite painful as well as having his whole
hand up my vagina.
I also experienced a very enlarged and sore labia when he sucked
on it too hard and grazed vaginal lips from his stubble when he
licked me........

 

[Chiisai_Neko]

I would much rather have a higher pain tolerance than threshold. As you mentioned, a high pain threshold is something that can be developed over time, but tolerance is a different story (not saying that someone couldn't learn to tolerate pain, just that it would be difficult for me).

Of course, much like yourself, I already have a fairly high threshold for pain, but not much tolerance for it.

 

[satindesire]

I'm pretty much the same as wenchie...my threshold is low, my tolerance is so-so, but it's my stubborn inability to say "Red" until I'm thisclosetopassingout that makes me laugh.

I feel everything quite clearly, pain is pain but what pleases me about it is my desire to keep my mouth firmly shut until I have to speak.