I used the words 'less pressure.'

Before the appointment, I rehearsed a sentence about pressure. It contained the word preference and an unnecessary apology. I was preparing to request something the therapist had already asked me to describe.

I had a habit of saying everything was fine before checking whether it was. Haircuts, restaurant tables, shoes I was trying on. Apparently the habit also came with me to massage appointments.

During the initial conversation, I explained that I sometimes found it hard to speak up. The therapist asked what would make that easier. I said direct questions helped.

I answered the question I was asked.

When the pressure became more than I wanted, I noticed myself preparing the usual automatic answer. This time I said, "Less pressure, please."

The therapist adjusted and checked again. I answered after considering the question. The exchange took much less time than the sentence I had rehearsed at home.

I had been treating feedback as a complaint about somebody's work. Here it was information about what was happening in my body, which was information only I could provide.

I did not need to prove anything.

We also discussed the areas I wanted left alone and how to pause or stop if needed. I was not agreeing to tolerate anything that happened simply because I had booked the appointment.

Afterwards, I made a note of what I had found comfortable so I could describe it next time. It was a short note. No technical vocabulary was necessary.

On the way home I went into a shoe shop. The assistant asked how a pair felt. One shoe pinched. I said so before explaining how attractive they were.

I left without the shoes. This was not the outcome the shop had hoped for, but it was quite a good outcome for my foot.