Why Massage, PT, and Chiro Aren’t Fixing Your Pain: The Hidden Truth

Does this sound familiar? You wake up every morning with that same nagging pain...

You’ve tried everything under the sun—massage, physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, even acupuncture—but nothing seems to work. You feel like you’re stuck in an endless cycle of pain and temporary relief.

You’re not alone. I’ve been there, too—frustrated, tired, and wondering if I’d ever find a real solution.

But what if I told you there’s a deeper reason why these traditional treatments aren’t working, and more importantly, what if I could show you a way out that actually lasts?

Stick with me because what you’re about to learn could change the way you approach pain forever.

Why Traditional Treatments Keep You Stuck

Let’s get real: The treatments you’ve been using—whether it’s massage, physical therapy, chiropractic care, or acupuncture—are passive treatments. These are the kinds of treatments where something is done to you like a massage to relax tight muscles or a spinal adjustment to relieve pressure. They might feel great in the moment—like a breath of fresh air—but here’s the harsh reality: they only give you a temporary fix.

You might feel relief for a few hours, maybe even a day, but soon enough, the pain comes creeping back. And when it does, you’re left asking yourself, “Why can’t I just get rid of this pain for good?”

The Cycle of Dependency

Here’s the secret that most people are not told: These passive treatments are designed to address symptoms, not the root cause of your pain. They’re like putting a band-aid on a wound that needs stitches—it might cover the problem for a little while, but it won’t heal it.

Worse yet, these treatments can create a cycle of dependency. You feel better for a short time, but because the underlying issue isn’t addressed, then the pain comes back. So, you go back for another treatment, and another, and another—chasing that momentary relief like a mirage in the desert. Before you know it, you’re stuck in a loop, relying on these quick fixes just to get through the day.

The Missing Pieces: Gray Cook’s 3 R’s

Let me introduce you to a concept that could flip your understanding of pain and healing on its head. It’s called the “3 R’s” of rehabilitation, popularized by renowned physical therapist Gray Cook:

Reset: This is where passive treatments come in. Techniques like soft tissue release, spinal adjustments, or massages can “reset” your body, temporarily relieving pain or improving mobility. But here’s the catch—this reset is only the first step. It’s a brief window of opportunity.
Reinforce: After you’ve reset the body, you need to reinforce these changes so they stick. This means strengthening the muscles, re-educating your movement patterns, and correcting postural deficits. Without reinforcement, the reset is like hitting the snooze button on an alarm—you might get a few extra minutes of peace, but eventually, you’ll wake up to the same old problems.
Reload: Finally, you need to reload. This stage involves integrating these new movement strategies into your daily life. It’s not just about learning the proper techniques—it’s about living them daily, whether lifting a suitcase, sitting at your desk, or simply walking down the street.

The Consequences of Skipping the 3 R’s

The problem with most traditional treatments is that they stop at the reset stage. You feel better for a while, but the pain returns without reinforcement and reloading. And that’s why so many people find themselves stuck in pain, feeling hopeless, despite spending countless hours and dollars on treatments that don’t offer lasting relief.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Most local therapy options—whether it’s massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, or acupuncturists—don’t label themselves as passive treatments. But that’s precisely what they are. And while they might give you some temporary relief, they’re not designed to empower you to heal yourself. Instead, they’re designed to keep you coming back for more.

Think about it: Has your massage therapist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist ever given you a comprehensive, personalized plan for what to do AFTER you leave their office? Have they given you a roadmap to freedom from pain, or are they just offering you a temporary escape?

And when I say comprehensive, I’m talking about something like what we include in our Ultimate Lifelong Athlete 1:1 coaching program, with videos for every exercise, a customized training program tracker, and an annual dashboard to track your progress over 12 months, and 24/7 support from your own personal coach.

In all likelihood, the answer is no.

And that’s the crux of the problem: These therapy options can be a helpful part of the plan, but their passive approach won’t get you all the way to your goals.

Don’t get me wrong, I use and recommend many of these passive modalities. I’m just clear that they aren’t complete without a more active component. Aka, I gotta do some work, too!

How GotROM Empowers You to Take Control

So, what’s the alternative? How do you break free from this cycle of pain and dependency?

At GotROM, we believe every person deserves to live in a pain-free, flexible, and strong body. But more importantly, you have the power to make that happen. Our approach is different because it empowers you to take control of your healing.

Here’s how we do it:

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Programs: We provide you with all the tools and knowledge you need to fix your pain at your own pace. These programs are based on the same principles I just talked about—the 3 R’s—but they’re designed for you to do on your own, empowering you to be your own best healer.
Done With You (DWY) Coaching: If you prefer a little more guidance, our Done With You coaching program offers personalized support. You start with one of our Do It Yourself programs, and then we work with you to create a plan tailored to your specific needs, helping you reinforce and reload those crucial changes.
Done For You (DFY) Coaching: Our Done For You coaching program, takes care of every detail for those who want the highest level of support. We handle the resets, reinforcements, and reloads, guiding you every step of the way to ensure lasting results.
The Ultimate Lifelong Athlete Program: This program is the pinnacle of our approach. It’s not just about getting out of pain—it’s about building a strong, bulletproof body that performs at its best for life. You’ll master mobility, flexibility, strength, and athleticism, ensuring you stay pain-free and strong for the long haul.

Take the First Step Today

If you’re tired of being stuck in pain and relying on treatments that don’t work, it’s time to take control. Visit GotROM.com to learn how our programs can help you break free from the cycle of temporary relief and build the body you’ve always wanted.

Don’t settle for short-term fixes. Master your mobility and health to choose lasting relief, flexibility, and strength. No matter where you’re at in your journey, remember that you’re always just one step away from building or rebuilding your perfect body.