Mind Body Therapies
About this Therapy
“The greatest discovery of any generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering the attitudes of their minds.” – Albert Schweitzer (theologian, philosopher, and physician)
Have you ever had a particularly stressful week at work, only to find that you come down with a cold the very first chance you have to relax? Perhaps you had an emotional conflict with a boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, or spouse, and noticed that you got the flu soon after. Maybe you even told a friend, “I think I’ve made myself sick worrying about this situation.”
If either of these scenarios sounds at all familiar to you, then you already have experience with the mind-body connection. The relationship between our body and mind shows that how we feel, what our attitudes are, and how much stress we are under can impact whether or not we stay healthy.
Conventional medicine tends to view the body and mind as distinct and independent, and focuses on treating disease within the body. Integrative medicine views the body and mind as inextricably linked, and also addresses the mental, emotional, and stress-related conditions that can lead to illness in the first place.
The Mind-Body Connection
To understand what mind-body therapies are, we should first explore the mind-body connection. Dr. Patricia Hart at the University of Minnesota says that when we talk about the mind-body connection, we mean that our “thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes can positively or negatively affect our biological functioning.” In other words, our mind can actually affect the level of health we experience from a physiological standpoint. And because the relationship is reciprocal, Dr. Hart points out that “what we do with our physical body – what we eat, how much we exercise, even our posture – can impact our mental state (again positively or negatively).”[1] The relationship that exists between our minds and bodies is therefore a vital, albeit undeniably complex interplay that directly impacts our health.
Dr. James Gordon, the founder of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, describes the relationship between the mind and body this way: “the brain and peripheral nervous system, the endocrine and immune systems, and indeed, all the organs of our body and all the emotional responses we have, share a common chemical language and are constantly communicating with one another.”[2] Therefore, therapies that impact the mind may have the potential to induce measurable effects on the body.
Related Video: Dr. David Rakel gives an overview of mind-body medicine on ABC News.
Examples of Mind-Body Therapies
Mind-body therapies seek to take advantage of the mind-body connection. According to the National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine (NCCAM), mind-body therapies focus on the interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior, and on the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health.[3] The following is an abbreviated list of techniques or practices defined as mind-body therapies by NCCAM:
- Support groups
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Meditation
- Spiritual prayer
- Yoga
- Biofeedback
- Relaxation
- Hypnosis
- Guided imagery
Each of these therapies listed above may potentially benefit individuals suffering from a range of medical conditions, including Crohn’s and colitis. The mechanism by which each therapy works is somewhat different. In general, though, each of the techniques in some way reduces the amount of stress and anxiety we feel. Stress results in our sympathetic nervous system releasing stress hormones to arouse certain organs, which increases our heart and breathing rate, tenses up our muscles, and decreases our intestinal activity.[1] Put differently, it makes us feel wired and pretty lousy.
Stress can have all sorts of negative effects on our body. Over time, heightened levels of stress can even lead to chronic high blood pressure and digestive disorders. Mind-body therapies teach individuals to relax more effectively, to think positively, and to focus on the belief that they will get better and heal. These techniques then reduce our stress level, which might favorably impact the frequency of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis relapse.
Next Section: Why We Recommend It
Useful Links to Learn More
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on the diverse field of integrative medicine. The center’s mission is to explore complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, to train complementary and alternative medicine researchers, and to disseminate authoritative information to the public and professionals. Extensive site with overviews of numerous mind-body approaches.
The University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing
The University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing is a nationally-recognized leader in integrative therapies and healing practices. The Center works to transform healthcare through innovative educational offerings, rigorous scientific research, inspiring outreach programs, and integrative clinical services. Excellent explanations of the various therapies, all grounded in science.
The Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
The leading provider of integrative medicine education worldwide. Developed the first and most comprehensive academic curriculum in integrative medicine. Excellent links under the Patients & Public menu to a variety of IM resources.
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine is a non-profit, 501(c) (3), educational organization dedicated to reviving the spirit and transforming the practice of medicine. The center was founded by James S. Gordan, MD, a graduate of Harvard Medical School and a leading authority on mind-body medicine. Links to information on various techniques, including self-awareness training through words, drawings, and movement; relaxation; meditation; exercise; diet; visual imagery; self-hypnosis; and group support. Operates Food as Medicine, the nation’s leading nutrition training program for physicians, medical school faculty and allied health professionals.
The American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine
The American Board of Holistic Medicine was founded in 1996 and officially changed its name to the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine in 2008. Currently, this is the primary certifying board for the specialty of Integrative Holistic Medicine.
Center for Health and Healing
Overview, research, and resources relating to more than 30 integrative approaches and therapies. Includes guidance on how certain therapies work and when it is best to use them. Some patients may want to explore the special sections of the site specifically dealing with IBS, although it is important to remember that IBS is quite different than IBD.
Taking Charge of Your Health, Center for Health and Spirituality, University of Minnesota
A well-designed, easily navigated, and high quality website consumers on various integrative approaches to health. The site focuses on tools for creating a healthy lifestyle, and covers every integrative approach from acupuncture to yoga.
HelpGuide
A non-profit that highlights a number of alternative therapies and stress reduction approaches, including deep breathing, meditation, yoga, guided imagery, exercise, and massage therapy.
The New Medicine
A patient-friendly site designed to engage patients in the healthcare decision making process. Provides an overview of integrative medicine therapies and techniques. Also includes links to a documentary produced on trends in IM. The site also has good tips on how to approach a conversation with your doctor when you want to discuss alternative therapies.
For Those of You in the Minneapolis – St. Paul Area:
The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing
The Penny George Institute provides integrative medicine at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, both for inpatients and at an outpatient clinic. Integrative medicine blends the best of conventional medicine with healing philosophies and a variety of healing therapies. These therapies, often drawn from other medical traditions, emphasize caring for the whole person and focus on healing as much as curing.
Selected References
[1] The University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing. Mind-body Therapies. 2010.
[2] Gordon, J. Mind-body medicine and cancer. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America. 2008; 22(4):683-708.
[3] The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine .Mind-body medicine: an overview. Backgrounder. 2007.
