DEFINITION
What is Sarno/ Mind-Body Method?
Mind-body medicine is an approach to healthcare that recognizes the deep interconnectedness of the mind and body. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, it addresses health and wellness holistically — drawing on practices such as meditation, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Building on this foundation, the Sarno approach proposes that many chronic pain conditions — including back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome — are not primarily caused by structural abnormalities like herniated discs or arthritis, but are rooted in psychological distress. Repressed emotions such as anger, fear, and anxiety can produce real physical pain through a process Dr. Sarno termed Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS). Healing, therefore, begins with identifying and resolving the emotional patterns driving the pain — through journaling, self-reflection, mindfulness, visualization, and guided emotional work. Many patients have reported significant improvement or complete relief through this approach.
Qualifications & Background
Dr. John E. Sarno was a pioneering physician and professor at NYU whose unconventional work transformed the understanding of chronic pain. He challenged the prevailing medical model by arguing that psychological factors — not structural damage — are often the true source of persistent pain. His books, clinical work, and dedicated following inspired a generation of mind-body practitioners and continue to influence integrative medicine today.
INDICATIONS
What conditions does it treat?
ADVANTAGE
Why Sarno/ Mind-Body Method at GWCIM?
When you come to GWCIM, you have access to one of the most experienced TMS physicians in the world — a colleague and collaborator of Dr. Sarno for over two decades.
APPROACH
How do we do Sarno/ Mind-Body Method at GWCIM?
At GWCIM, the Sarno approach is practiced by Dr. Andrea Leonard-Segal, one of the most experienced TMS physicians in the country. Dr. Leonard-Segal began treating patients with Tension Myositis Syndrome in 1991 and collaborated closely with Dr. Sarno himself for over 20 years — diagnosing and treating patients he personally referred to her, and contributing a chapter to his landmark book, The Divided Mind. As GWCIM's most senior physician, she brings over three decades of expertise in mind-body medicine alongside her deep background as a board-certified rheumatologist, giving her a uniquely rigorous and holistic lens on chronic pain.
Dr. Leonard-Segal's approach combines the intellectual precision of academic medicine with genuine warmth and compassion. She works with patients to identify the psychological and emotional patterns underlying their pain, guiding them through the process of self-awareness and reconditioning that is at the heart of TMS treatment. For patients who have seen multiple providers without lasting relief, her practice offers something different — a thorough, evidence-informed evaluation and a path toward healing that addresses not just the body, but the whole person.
EXPERTISE
Recommended Providers
Q&A
Q&A
TMS may be the underlying cause if you have been experiencing chronic pain — such as back pain, neck pain, or fibromyalgia — without a clear structural explanation, or if your pain has persisted despite surgery, physical therapy, or other conventional treatments. A thorough evaluation with Dr. Leonard-Segal can help determine whether your symptoms fit the TMS profile.
Absolutely not. TMS pain is real, physical pain — it is simply generated by the nervous system in response to emotional and psychological stress rather than structural damage. Understanding this distinction is actually a key part of the healing process.
Dr. Leonard-Segal conducts a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation to assess whether your symptoms are consistent with TMS. From there, she works with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that may include education, guided reflection, journaling, and mind-body reconditioning techniques.
Not necessarily. Dr. Leonard-Segal will review your current treatments and work collaboratively with your care team. At GWCIM, integrative and conventional care are designed to complement each other.
Results vary by individual. Some patients experience significant relief relatively quickly once they understand and engage with the mind-body connection, while others benefit from a longer process of emotional exploration and reconditioning. Dr. Leonard-Segal typically sees patients for 1-3 consultations.
EDUCATION