Do it
The combination of AIS and massage therapy produces the best results I have found to date. When a client is feeling tender, first applying hot packs and/or massage has proven to relax the muscle enough that stretching afterward is very tolerable.
The goal is to bring balance back to the body which naturally reduces pain. Clients report that it is easier to move, bend over and sleep after a stretching session. Most clients want long lasting results, the consistent success using AIS and massage has become undeniable.