Dr. Sarno and Neuroplastic Pain: What 2025’s Science Confirms

How Modern Pain Psychology Is Building on His Legacy

If you’ve heard of Dr. John Sarno, chances are you’re one of millions of people who searched for answers after conventional medicine failed to explain your pain. Dr. Sarno, a controversial yet beloved figure, wrote books like Healing Back Pain and The Mindbody Prescription that have gained a cult following. While mainstream medicine rejected him for decades, today’s neuroscience is finally catching up.

In this post, we’ll break down:

• Who Dr. Sarno was and why his work still matters

• How modern science agrees, and disagrees, with his findings

• What you can do today if you're still in pain

Who Was Dr. John Sarno?

Dr. Sarno was a rehabilitation physician at NYU who proposed that chronic back pain—and other persistent symptoms—were often the result of Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), a condition caused by unconscious emotional stress.

He argued that repressed emotions like anger, fear, and guilt could trigger real physical pain, as the brain diverted attention from emotional conflict by creating symptoms in the body.

His books, including Healing Back Pain and The Mindbody Prescription, developed a cult following. Thousands claimed that simply reading them cured their pain.

Was He Right?

Partially—yes.

Dr. Sarno was decades ahead of his time in recognizing that:

• Pain is not always a sign of injury

• The brain can create real physical symptoms

• Emotions and past trauma can fuel chronic pain

  
  

These ideas were radical in the 1980s. But today, they’re being validated by a new wave of research in pain neuroscience and pain psychology.

Where Dr. Sarno Got It Wrong (According to Modern Pain Science)

• ❌ Dismissed Physical Therapy→ ✅ Movement helps retrain the brain and calm the nervous system.

• ❌ Rejected Medications→ ✅ Certain meds reduce brain-driven pain and support therapy.

• ❌ Believed Awareness Alone Heals→ ✅ Most people need structured tools to rewire pain patterns.

• ❌ Ignored Trauma & Social Factors→ ✅ Pain is shaped by stress, trauma, relationships, and environment.

What Modern Science Adds to Sarno’s Theory

While Sarno relied on anecdotal case studies and intuition, today we have brain imaging, randomized controlled trials, and formal psychological therapies that build on his foundation.

Pain Is a Brain-Based Experience

Modern pain science shows that pain is created by the brain as a protective response—not a direct readout of tissue damage. This is especially true for chronic pain, where the brain’s “danger alarm” becomes oversensitive.

Dr. Amy Baxter is a nationally recognized pain management and pediatric emergency medicine physician.

“Pain is your brain’s opinion of how safe you are.” 

Education Can Be Healing

One of Sarno’s most surprising discoveries was that just learning about how pain works could reduce symptoms. Today, this is known as “pain neuroscience education,” and studies confirm it helps reduce fear and pain intensity.

Should You Read Sarno Today?

Yes—with some updates. His books are still powerful, especially for people who feel dismissed by the medical system or have been told “your scans are normal” but are still in pain.

However, they don’t offer structured tools or support. That’s where modern pain psychology comes in.

What To Do If You Think Your Pain Has a Nociplastic Component

If you relate to Dr. Sarno’s ideas but aren’t getting better just by reading, try this modern roadmap:

✅ Understand Your Pain

Learn how pain is a brain-generated protective signal, especially in chronic cases. Books like The Way Out by Alan Gordon or The Pain Management Workbook can help.

✅ Calm the Nervous System

Chronic pain often means your brain and body are stuck in "fight or flight." Practices like diaphragmatic breathing, somatic tracking, and gentle movement can help your brain feel safe again.

✅ Explore Emotions

Pain psychology techniques help you safely feel and process repressed emotions—just like Sarno described, but in a more supported way.

✅ Work with a Pain Therapist

Look for therapists trained in PRT, EAET, ACT, or trauma-informed approaches. They help you apply these tools in real life, not just in theory.

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Modern research shows that psychological and emotional elements can play a major role in chronic pain. These non-physical components can help the brain “learn” to be in pain. By training the brain, we can re-wire the body’s neural circuitry to dial down pain sensations and bring relief.