The wide array of mind-body therapies has been reported to positively influence physical health. Dr. Kevin Barrows is founder and director of mindfulness programs at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, where he helps patients to cope with the stress of everyday life and the stress of illness. He explores the art and science of mind-body medicine. Series: UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public
1. What is Special/Attractive/Interesting About Mind-Body Medicine?
- A number of patient issues seem more to do with the mind than the actual physical complaint.
- The mind-body-spirit intuitively seem like a natural state of being connected.
- A sense of ‘hope’ or untapped potential to heal ourselves through the mind.
- Having a sense of control or potential to health yourself is strongly correlated with a decrease in mortality after a heart attack. That is, patients who had a heart attack and felt powerless or thats just what happened and its out of my control did worse than those who had a sense of control or potential to live better. - The contribution to ‘wholeness’ and holistic health
2. What Is Mind-Body Medicine
- In western culture there is a mind body split or dualism which is largely attribute to Rene Descarte — “I think therefore I am”. Also, the rise of western science which favors reductionism. However, current science is attempting to put them back together to study them.
- Interferon is a chemical your body makes to fight of viruses. We currently use it primarily in treating hepatitis However there is something like a 30+% increase in depression for people taking interferon. Thus, there is a chemical your body makes that affects your mental health. Similarly it is known that when people exercise it improves your mental well being. - In Chinese culture the mind-body was never separate.
3. Common Mind-Body Therapies:
- hypnosis — bypassing the rational conscious mind into the subconscious mind to plant a suggestion. The research suggests that it is useful for pain.
- biofeedback — monitoring an unconscious physiological process such as brainwaves, heart rate, muscle tension, etc. and feeding back to you visually or auditory. You can start to change and influence these unconscious parameters. The research shows it might be useful in incontinence, reducing blood pressure, and headaches.
- guided imagery — using the imaginative capacity of the mind to influence the subconscious . Useful for before surgeries.
- progressive muscle relaxation
- tai chi
- yoga
- chi gung
- breathing
- journaling
Can improve asthma and pediatric pain. - meditation
- prayer
- aromatherapy?
- music?
- shamanic healing?
- placebo effect?
- energy therapies?
Our mental attitude and wellbeing can have a profound affect on our physical health. For example, if someone who is depressed has a heart attack they are about 2–3.5x more likely to die from a second heart attack.
4. Toys
- Auditory
- Drumming
- Binaural technology such as HemiSync, HoloSync, etc.
- Chakra stimulation with sound
- Music - Visual
- RelaxMate
- Meir Schneider — Yoga for Eyes, Miracle Eyesight Method - Biofeedback
- HeartMath
- Journey to Wild Divine
