At Top Notch, we specialise in nervous system massage therapy—firm, focused touch that works without pain. Many people still believe massage has to hurt to be effective. But that’s not what the science or the body says.
We often hear it:
“I want a proper massage—but I don’t want to be smashed.”
That’s the balance we aim for at Top Notch Bodyworks.
It’s not about fluff, but it’s definitely not about force either.
Recently, a client came in after years of deep-tissue “bashings.” I asked them how it went with their new therapist. Did they get the same results—without the pain?
Their answer:
“It was certainly effective. ‘Bashed’ probably isn’t the right word. I’ve just always associated results with deep tissue massage and working out knots.”
That’s a common belief—but it’s not supported by what we know about the body or the nervous system.
Shaun said it best:
“It shouldn’t be about fluffy ducks—but it also shouldn’t go to the extreme.”
And we agree.
At Top Notch, our focus is to speak directly to your nervous system. Gentle, firm, calming touch lets us work with the body—not fight against it. When your body senses pain or threat, it tightens, guards, and resists. That’s the exact opposite of what we want in a therapeutic session.
When you’re in pain, feeling tight, or recovering from injury, your nervous system may be on high alert—sending out protection signals like:
Muscle guarding
Sensitivity to touch
Pain from even light movement
Our job is to downregulate those protective responses. In plain terms: we help your body feel safe enough to let go.
This is not about being soft for the sake of it.
It’s about being smart with touch that helps, not harms.
If you’re squirming, bracing, holding your breath, or mentally “gritting through it”—that’s your nervous system pushing back.
We don’t want you to push through.
We want you to relax into the work—and let your body actually respond.
“Massage with your therapist on Sunday focused on my current issue.
37km run over the past 3 days and my left leg hasn’t skipped a beat. It’s been weeks since I could say that. One happy, happy runner and customer.”
No pain. No bracing. Just good, focused work.
Being tortured isn’t a requirement for performance.
Our deep tissue, sports massage, and neuromuscular therapy work because we know how to match your threshold—not overpower it.
✅ Results you can feel
✅ No bracing or tensing
✅ Work that respects your nervous system
Not at all. The “no pain, no gain” mindset doesn’t hold up. Good massage works with your body, not against it. If you’re tensing up, your body is protecting itself—which actually slows progress.
Gentle touch sends a safety signal to your brain. It helps quiet the body’s alarm system (fight-or-flight) and activate the calming system (rest-and-digest). That’s when healing begins.
It’s your body’s alarm system going off—tightening, bracing, guarding. “Downregulating” means turning that alarm down, helping your body feel safe enough to relax.
Painful pressure can activate your body’s stress response, making things worse. Our approach works with your comfort zone so the treatment lasts longer and feels better.
Many people feel a shift within minutes—slower breathing, softer muscles, mental ease. It depends on the person, but the goal is always the same: calm that sticks.
Anj Young founded Top Notch Bodyworks. She was a military fitness instructor for the RNZAF for 13 years and is now a qualified osteopath (Hons) and mentor. Her and the team at Top Notch Bodyworks know their stuff and can help support you with your body concerns. Our acupunturist, osteopaths and neuromuscular therapists are also qualified to work with you at any stage of your injury or ongoing concerns.
