Lara’s Unique Perspective
Working in the field of mindbody medicine & pain reprocessing therapy since 2019, I have witnessed both its breathtaking impact and its dangerous blindspots.
The field often claims symptoms are binary, either “structural” or “neuroplastic.” I have ample evidence, both personal and clinical, that this is not only a false binary but it is harmful too.
This framework is far too simplistic and rigid to capture the complexity and nuance of most people’s symptoms. Moreover, it is exclusionary when it insists we ‘rule out structural’ issues, turning away a huge population of people who could benefit from this work.
After 30+ years of pain, 17 surgeries, and around 15 years on crutches, I have a long and complicated story. My pain is persistent and due to decidedly structural issues, but it is also amplified by neuroplastic factors, like my long history with gaslighting and trauma.
I rarely see people like myself in the mindbody space. The “success stories” feature those who have had a “total recovery.”
The current definition of “healing” is about becoming symptom free — a view that is actually deeply disempowering.
Total eradication of symptoms forever is a goal that is often not within our control, but holding ourselves to that standard keeps many passively stuck in a frustrating waiting game. When the only narrative out there is that “most” persistent pain is neuroplastic and you can free yourself from it using PRT, etc., it leaves those with lingering or recurrent pain to blame and shame themselves for “failing.” They feel helpless and demoralized. They walk away suffering more, not less.
Does this sound familiar?
Clients come to me because they too have persistent symptoms and think their “lack of progress” means they have “failed.” In my story, they hear a different kind of hope and healing. They finally release the painful idea that it is their fault their symptoms persist. They focus instead on empowering themselves to live their lives to the fullest.
I am on a mission: to push the field to recognize its own blindspots and redefine healing to include all of us.
True healing is about empowerment.
** Definitions:
“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.
Why “The Sage Practice”?
Self Trust: Create an inner refuge of kindness, your inner safety, you can always count on no matter what life brings
Agency: Empower yourself with self-awareness, intentional choices, & new responses to old stimuli
Growth: Make your life bigger than symptoms
Engagement: Engage in life again & lean into connection, community, purpose, and joy
Practice: Build healing neural pathways through repetition over time
“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.
