I don't particularly like pain (kidney stones are not fun!) but I have several piercings and full sleeves, so I guess I don't mind it so much -- as long as it's short lived and i think i'm getting something out of it.
still, I don't usually experience anything like pain during a piercing when i had my double nostril done the sensation was literally just pressure. I have pimples on the other nostril that hurt more!
My initial tongue piercing felt like a small pinch, but if i leave it out for a while and have it reinserted it hurts a bit.
If I'm having two done at the same time the second one is worse, but I think that's just in my head.
Today, however, when I had my apadravya redone (whatever you do, never ever take out your apadravya before it's fully healed!!!) The experience was the first truly painful piercing i've ever had. there was a very thin bit of scar tissue where the old piercing was, and he very carefully removed it (like a core sample) but apparently the tissue was tougher because there was about 10 seconds of really intense pain (on par with kidney stones) while he pushed the needle through.
I can tell the scar tissue is all gone now, and once it heals a bit I look forward to having my favorite piercing back!
I can't say enough good things about Body Manipulations in SF, and particularly Eldo. I've been going to them for over a decade now, and have never had a bad experience in their shop.