As a top, what should you do if your bottom reports numbness, tingling, tightness, or pain? You need to immediately take steps to address it. If the bottom’s symptoms are minor, experienced bondage tops may sometimes address the problem by removing or redirecting tension, shifting ropes, or changing the bottom’s position. A key component of this is making adjustments, then quickly checking back in with the bottom to be sure the problem has resolved.

In the following cases we recommend immediately untying the effected limb:

• If you or your bottom are beginners with rope

• If symptoms the bottom reports are severe and/or sudden – “I feel my right arm just went numb.” “I have sharp pains going down my left leg” etc.

• If initial steps taken (loosening the rope, changing position, etc) don’t resolve the problem

• Anytime you have any doubt, err on the side of caution and untie.

If untying the limb still doesn’t solve the problem (symptoms are ongoing a few minutes later), stop the scene and begin first aid steps. Many nerve injuries appear to have a cumulative aspect. Therefore, if you had any issues with nerve damage in a scene, avoid risking re-damaging that nerve, particularly in the first week following the injury (even if it was very minor). If you're going to tie again, avoid load-bearing rope on the injured area (keeping in mind that symptoms appear distal to the actual injury site). 

Next: As a top, how do I monitor my bottom for nerve damage?