12/04/2025
PAIN: A Figment of My Imagination?
Understanding Pain Relief vs. Pain Management at The Massage Garage
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this pain even real, or is my body just messing with me?” — you’re not alone. Pain can be confusing, frustrating, and downright exhausting. And yes… while the sensation is absolutely real, the source of pain isn’t always where you feel it.
At The Massage Garage in San Francisco, we help people understand one of the biggest truths about pain: Pain is an output of the brain — not just a signal from the body.
Your brain is constantly gathering data from muscles, joints, posture, history of injury, stress, emotions, and even sleep. When it senses a threat, it hits the check engine light: PAIN.
The problem? That warning light can stay on long after the original issue has healed… or sometimes it turns on because your nervous system is stuck in protection mode, not because something is “broken.”
So no — pain is not “a figment of your imagination.”
But the brain definitely plays a major role in how intensely you feel it.
Pain Relief vs. Pain Management — What’s the Difference?
Most people are used to traditional pain management — the kind that temporarily lowers symptoms but doesn’t change the underlying problem.
Pain management often looks like:
• Taking medication to dull the discomfort
• Quick fixes that soothe but don’t correct
• Treatments that relax muscles only to have pain return days later
At The Massage Garage, we operate differently.
We focus on pain relief, which means addressing the source of the problem — not just the symptoms.
How We Help You Get Out of Pain (and Stay That Way)
Neuromuscular Therapy
Your muscles and nervous system talk to each other constantly. When communication breaks down, muscles become overactive, underactive, or stuck in protective patterns.
We identify those patterns and restore proper function so your body stops sending threat signals.
Radial Pressure Wave Therapy (RPW)
This modality helps break up restriction, stimulate tissue healing, increase mobility, and decrease chronic tension that perpetuates pain cycles.
Brain-Based Approach to Pain
Your body follows your brain’s instructions.
If your nervous system is in danger mode, no amount of massage will create lasting change.
We help reset your body’s protective patterns so you can move better, feel better, and stay out of pain.
Education = Freedom
Every session comes with practical advice — movement suggestions, sleep tips, posture awareness, and habits that keep your body tuned-up long after you leave.
So… Is Pain in My Head?
Yes — and No.
Pain is created in the brain, but triggered by the body.
What we do at The Massage Garage is help both systems work together instead of fighting each other.
Real relief comes when:
✔ Muscles are functioning properly
✔ Joints move the way they were designed
✔ The nervous system feels safe
✔ The brain stops sounding the alarm unnecessarily
That’s where lasting change happens — and that’s exactly what we aim for with every client.
Holiday Greeting from The Massage Garage
As we close out another year, I want to thank every client who trusted The Massage Garage with their body’s repair and recovery.
Helping you get out of pain — and educating you on how to stay that way — continues to be my greatest honor.
Wishing you a peaceful, joyful, and pain-free holiday season.
Holiday Schedule — 2025
Open:
• Monday, Dec 1 – Tuesday, Dec 10
• Monday, Dec 16 – Monday, Dec 23
• Friday, Dec 27 – Tuesday, Dec 31
Closed:
• December 11–15 (Out of office)
• December 24–25 (Christmas Holiday)
• January 1 (New Year’s Day)
Book early — holiday weeks fill fast!
Ready to Finally Feel Better?
Let’s Get You Out of Pain — For Good.**
If you’re tired of chasing symptoms or feeling like your body’s “mystery pain” is running the show, it’s time for a real solution.
👉 Book your session at The Massage Garage in San Francisco
👉 Visit: www.themassagegarage.net
👉 Call/Text: 415.845.7143
Give your body the tune-up it deserves — and start the new year pain-free.
