About us

For over 40 years, The Pain and Stress Center has been a trusted name in natural health—founded in San Antonio, Texas by pioneering experts in brain chemistry and nutritional therapy. Groundbreaking formulations like Anxiety Control 24® and a commitment to orthomolecular medicine helped change the way thousands manage stress, mood, pain, and overall well-being.

Founded in San Antonio, Texas in 1979 by Dr. Billie Sahley, Ph.D., C.N.C., PSC was one of the first organizations in the U.S. to bridge orthomolecular medicine with mainstream nutritional therapy.

Dr. Sahley, a former pain patient herself, became a national voice in the integrative health movement. Her mission: to help others find relief from stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and depression using neurotransmitter-targeted amino acid therapy. Alongside Dr. Katherine Birkner, C.R.N.A., Ph.D., C.N.C., the duo brought a revolutionary model of care to light—one based on restoring biochemical balance through precise, research-backed supplementation.

Together, Dr. Sahley and Dr. Birkner authored many books and countless research articles exploring the connection between brain chemistry, mood, behavior, and nutritional deficiencies. Their best-selling titles—such as “Heal with Amino Acids and Nutrients,"" ""Break Your Prescribed Addiction,"" and ""Post Trauma and Chronic Emotional Fatigue""—became foundational texts for practitioners, educators, and patients alike.

Their work contributed to shifting the national conversation around mental health and chronic illness from one of symptom suppression to biochemical restoration. PSC's clinic not only offered treatment—it trained thousands of healthcare professionals and laid the groundwork for what is now widely recognized as functional medicine.