Episode 69 - Dr. Sarah McNurlin, founder of Pinyon Physical Therapy in Salt Lake City, is a physical therapist specializing in nervous-system-informed care. Drawing from years of clinical experience and her own family’s struggles with pain, she shares why pain is always real but not always a sign of tissue injury, how the nervous system can amplify signals until they feel overwhelming, and what we can do to break that cycle.

In our conversation, we explore the science of pain in a way that’s easy to understand and full of hope. You’ll hear why symptoms like fibromyalgia, pelvic pain, or recurring back issues often linger long after the body has healed, and how brain-based tools such as graded motor imagery, laterality testing, and mirror therapy can literally rewire your experience of pain. Sarah also offers simple practices—like breathing, reframing language, and reconnecting with safe body memories—that you can begin at home to calm your nervous system and reduce symptoms.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed by a doctor who “can’t find anything wrong,” yet you’re still in pain, this episode is for you. Chronic pain is one of the most frustrating and misunderstood conditions, leaving many people—especially women—feeling hopeless. But as today’s guest explains, pain doesn’t always mean damage, and there are powerful ways to retrain the body and brain to feel safe again.

Connect with Dr. McNurlin:

Online or in person at Pinyon Physical Therapy

On Instagram at @drsarahmcnurlin.dpt

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