I find that over time injections get less painful, like after my first quad shot it hurt for days but now It's only a slight pain the day after...hardly noticable. I'm a pussy though, I ALWAYS ice the spot i'm about to shoot with an ice pack before I poke.....I'm such a panzy. I also always run my gear (after I load it into the syringe) under some hot water for a few minutes right before I shoot it. Pain is very little and I personally feel it helps me alot.....but like I said i'm a wuss