LISTEN!

Episode

#45: More Than Muscles: How Beliefs and Life Stories Affect Pain

August 16, 2025

In this episode, we cover:

What if your pain isn’t just physical, but also philosophical? Dr. Joe LaVacca joins Dr. Cindy for a powerful conversation about how our beliefs, fears, and life experiences shape our healing. As a physical therapist and movement expert, Joe challenges outdated models of care and explains why understanding your story is essential to feeling better. From redefining pain to breaking fitness myths, he unpacks the science and psychology of recovery and why progress isn’t always linear. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your health journey, this episode will help you rethink what’s possible and rediscover your own capacity for healing.

(5:00) Misconceptions about physical therapy.
(6:00) Differentiating between normal pain and suffering.
(10:00) Changing our language and mental state to manifest a healthier lifestyle.
(19:00) Identifying pain may be more of a threat than damage to the body.
(21:00) Maybe we need emotional therapists more than physical therapists.
(24:00) How do physical therapists stay healthy?
(36:00) Rapid-fire questions

Episode Extras

Meet Our Guest

Joe LaVacca started Strength in Motion in 2017, which is located in NYC’s Flatiron District. Joe’s passion is rooted in a strong desire to help those with persistent pain make sense of their experience while moving forward towards the life they know they can live.

Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Strength Coach, Functional Range Conditioning/Release/Assessment Certified, Kinstretch® Instructor, National and International Educator.

Instagram

Website

← Previous Episode Next Episode →

Rate, review, & follow Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy’s episodes, here’s how to follow her so you never miss an episode!

For Apple, click the “Follow” button at the top of the page on the right.
For Spotify, click the “Follow” button below Dr. Cindy’s show tile.

Meet Our Partners

Professional Health Products

Stopain Clinical

Infinedi

The content of this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition or disease. It is intended to shake you up, make you laugh, and push you. My words reflect my feelings, opinions, and observations. I expect you will agree with some things and disagree with others. Please understand that this podcast is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed practitioner; you might be going through hard times, but you haven’t lost your common sense. Please consult with your own physician or healthcare specialist regarding the suggestions and recommendations that worked for me or that have helped my patients.