Fitness
SMR Pressure Pain Scale
The SMR pressure pain scale keeps foam rolling and gun work around three to five out of ten—productive pressure you can breathe through, not bruising contests.
The SMR pressure pain scale rates rolling discomfort from zero to ten—productive work usually sits around three to five, where you can breathe and relax; eight-plus guarding means back off. Pain that lingers hours after rolling or bruises skin signals excessive force.
Use the scale to compare sides and days, not to win a suffering contest.
Common questions
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Should foam rolling ever reach 8 out of 10 pain?
No—high pain triggers guarding and risks nerve or vessel irritation. If an area only releases at extreme pain, reduce training load and get a clinician assessment.
Related terms
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