Yeah, I'm sure a whip with thorns and nails on it beating on your back all day, or walking with hooks on your skin lashed to ropes lashed to a stone, doesn't damage your body greatly. Actually, this causes you 6 wings to come out from your body. Yeah, you become a Seraph!
P.S. Yes, they were this creative and even more, medieval compendia and paintings are quite clear.
