My Unique Perspective
Working in the field of mindbody medicine & pain reprocessing therapy since 2019, I have witnessed both its impact and its blindspots.
The field often claims symptoms are binary, either “structural” or “neuroplastic.” This is a false binary.
This binary cannot capture the complexity or nuance of most people’s symptoms. Having to ‘rule out structural’ issues, people who would otherwise benefit get turned away or turned off from this field.
After 30+ years of pain, 17 surgeries, and 15 years on crutches, I have a long complicated story. My pain is persistent, complicated by structural issues.
I rarely see people like myself in the mindbody space, and I’m working to change that.
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 narratives of hope.
** 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: Creating an inner refuge of kindness means you can always count on your inner safety no matter what life brings.
Agency: Empowering yourself with self-awareness & new skills you can make intentional choices toward a life that feels better.
Growth: Making your life bigger than your 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.
Practice: Building new neural pathways and repeating them frequently is the hope & healing nature of this work.
“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.
