Mind-body medicine encompasses a wide array of therapies that are administered or taught to patients by trained practitioners. MDs, DOs, NDs, Psychologists, Chiropractors, LAcs, Nurses, and Clinical Hypnotists are a few of the kinds of health care providers who may utilize mind-body modalities in their practices. Examples of mind-body medicine include biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, EFT, meditation, autogenic training, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, massage therapy, chiropractic care, tai chi and qigong, and yoga. Those practitioners who use mind-body techniques understand that our mental states influence our physiology at its core, and that emotional experiences have a physiological correlation by having a positive or negative effect that is also experienced in the body.
In hundreds of published medical studies, stress, anxiety, anger and other reactive psychological states are linked to illness and disease, and many conditions - such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach and intestinal problems, and chronic pain - are tied in to specific emotions, conscious or subconscious. Mind-body medicine works by using the power of thoughts and emotions to positively influence physical health, so that the immune system is better able to fight illness and the body's natural capacity for healing is enhanced. According to data published by the University of Maryland Medical Center, mind-body medicine can help treat many different diseases - including cancer, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, stomach and intestinal problems (including indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, heartburn, and Crohn's disease), fibromyalgia, menopausal symptoms, obesity, and insomnia. As more conditions are found to be responsive to mind-body medicine, ever-increasing numbers of health care providers are using established mind-body techniques to help patients, and developing new techniques aimed at healing the whole person.
Looking for a Mind-Body Practitioner? As a public service,
the AAMBM provides a list of practitioners to help patients find health care
professionals who are familiar with the practices, treatments and therapies
associated with mind-body medicine.