Mixed Structural/Neuroplastic Symptoms
“Lara’s a Pioneer in the Field of Mind-Body Medicine”
Living with mixed pain since 1991 and working as a mindbody practitioner since 2019, I have witnessed both the impact and the blindspots of this field. I have worked hard to push the field to recognize, include, and embrace those of us with “structural” symptoms. I consistently challenge the field to move away from symptoms-directed treatments that depend on there being “nothing wrong” in the body and that promise “full recovery.” We need to move instead toward client empowerment, connection, inner safety, and life engagement.
The field rests upon a false binary, as if symptoms are either “structural” or “neuroplastic.”
This binary cannot capture the complexity or nuance of most people’s symptoms. Having to ‘rule out structural’ issues, people who would otherwise benefit from this work get turned away from or turned off by this field altogether.
After 30+ years of pain, 17 surgeries, and 15 years on crutches, I have a long, complicated story. My pain is persistent, caused by permanent structural neurological pathologies, and amplified by neuroplastic (or nociplastic) factors.
I rarely see people like myself in the mindbody space, and I’m trying to change that.
I am trying to be the change I wish to see.
Healing isn’t about becoming symptom free — it’s about empowering yourself to live your life to the fullest now.
Eradicating symptoms forever is not within our control and keeps us stuck in a frustrating waiting game. Don’t blame yourself if your symptoms persist or recur. This is not your fault, and you are not broken. You are human. No shame, no blame, no judgment. Turn your demoralization into empowerment.
Let’s redefine healing and offer new— and far more robust— narratives of hope.
** Traditional Definitions in the Field:
“Neuroplastic” Symptoms are traditionally defined as brain-based symptoms arising from stress-induced bodily sensations in people who have not had a recent injury, have no tissue damage, and are told by doctors there is “nothing wrong” with them.
“Structural” Symptoms are traditionally defined as symptoms caused by certain medical conditions, such as cancer, stroke, many neurological disorders, nerve damage, ongoing nerve entrapment or compression, traumatic brain injury, etc.
Lara’s Talks about Structural Pain / Symptoms
Healing When Pain is Both Structural & Neuroplastic (podcast interview)
On the Curable podcast, Like Mind Like Body: Lara Birk's journey through years of chronic pain has led her to become a powerful voice in the field of mindbody medicine, particularly for those living with both structural and neuroplastic issues. Drawing from her own experience, she helps people with persistent pain find hope, relief, and a fuller life. In this moving conversation with Christie Uipi, LCSW, she invites us to expand our definition of healing and imagine new narratives of what's possible.
On Spotify (audio) | On Apple Podcasts (audio) | On Curable App (video)Living with Structural and Neuroplastic Pain
Lara offers strategies, suggestions, and hope for those of you living with not only neuroplastic symptoms but also structural ones. She has worked with many clients who have structural conditions and find enormous benefit in this work (e.g., Post-Stroke Dysautonomia, Parkinson’s, ALS, etc.)
Redefining What Healing Means for You
Healing is a River. Lara gives us a new paradigm for redefining healing that gives you your power back. You’re not waiting on or dependent upon anyone or anything else. For those of us with structural/mixed symptoms, we might be waiting a long time. Instead, you can build a place of solace inside you. You will find this is actually a superpower.
Library of Lara’s Talks
Lara has given over a dozen talks both on Curable and in local hospitals, all of which are pertinent to those living with structural / mixed pain or other symptoms. For free access to her Curable talks, you must be a subscriber to the Curable app (or sign up for a free trial).
How The S.A.G.E. Practice Helps Structural/Mixed Symptoms:
Self Trust: Creating an inner refuge of kindness means you can always count on your inner safety regardless of ongoing structural/mixed symptoms.
Agency: Empowering yourself with self-awareness & new skills you can make intentional choices toward a life that feels better in the face of persistent symptoms.
Growth: Making your life bigger than any structural/mixed symptoms transforms how you feel about yourself and enlarges your world of possibilities.
Engagement: Engaging in life again allows you to lean in to all the good stuff in life — connection, community, purpose, and joy— no matter what else is happening in your body (or the world).
Practice: Building new neural pathways and repeating them often is a hopeful, healing practice. Outcomes may look different for those with structural issues, but they are no less profound (and are arguably more impactful).
“Lara’s work makes me feel included at last. I kept thinking I was doing something wrong because my symptoms didn’t stop.
Now I know better. Lara gives me so much hope, a positive mindset, and freedom. It has been life changing!!!” — Donna M.
Sage: wise, cleansing, healing.
Derived from the Latin
salvia: a healing plant;
salvere: to cure or to save;
salvus: safe, secure, and healthy.
