1. EachPod

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

Author
Dr. Cindy Howard
Published
Fri 15 Aug 2025
Episode Link
https://positivelyaltered.podbean.com/e/episode-45-more-than-muscles-how-beliefs-and-life-stories-affect-pain/

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


 


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 As a physical therapist and movement expert, Joe challenges outdated models of care and explains why understanding your story is essential to feeling better.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


 


Dr. Cindy’s Socials:


https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks


 


Dr. Cindy’s Partners:


Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com


Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/


Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/


 


About Joe LaVacca


Joe 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. 


 


Follow Joe


Instagram


Website


 


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  1. For Apple, click the “Follow” button at the top of the page on the right. 

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Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 








  1. For Apple, click the “Follow” button at the top of the page on the right. 

  2. For Spotify, click the “Follow” button below Dr. Cindy’s show tile.


 


Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 


 

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