Mind/Body Medicine Health Article

Research & general acceptance

Because of its increasing acceptance by mainstream medicine, mind/body medicine has been the subject of intense research. Studies have shed new light on everything from the minute interactions of the immune and nervous systems to the effective results of individual therapies like meditation and guided imagery. Other studies have indicated relationships between stress and disease. Some eye-opening results have been observed as well, such as studies that have shown that cancer and heart disease patients utilizing mind/body techniques had significantly longer survival rates on average than those patients who did not use mind/body therapies. Despite increasingly proven benefits to mind–body medicine, few health plans pay for the treatments.

Training & certification

Training programs and certification criteria tend to vary with individual therapies and states.

The Biofeedback Certification Institute of America lists certified biofeedback practitioners. Address: 10200 W. 44th Ave., Suite 304. Wheatridge, CO 80033. (303) 420-2902.

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis is the largest organization for certifying hypnotherapists. Address: 2200 East Devon Ave., Suite 291. Des Plaines, IL 60018. (708) 297-3317.

The Wellness Community provides information on support groups organized throughout the country. Address: 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 1040. Santa Monica, CA 90405. (310) 314-2555.

The Academy for Guided Imagery provides resources for mental imaging treatments. Address: PO Box 2070. Mill Valley, CA 94942. (800) 726-2070.

The Vipassana Meditation Center is a resource for those interested in mindfulness training and meditation. Address: PO Box 24. Shelbourne Falls, MA 01370. (413) 625-2160.

BOOKS

Benson, Herbert, MD. The Relaxation Response. New York: Random House, 1992.

Borysenko, Joan. Minding the Body, Mending the Mind. New York: Bantam, 1988.

Cousins, Norman. Head First: The Biology of Hope and the Healing Power of the Human Spirit. New York: Viking, 1990.

Goleman, Daniel, and Joel Gurin, eds. Mind/Body Medicine. Yonkers, NY: Consumer Reports Books, 1993.

Kabat-Zinn, Jon. Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. New York: Dell, 1990.

PERIODICALS

Advances: The Journal of Mind-Body Health. 9292 West KL Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49009. (616) 375-2000.

"Hypnosis: Theory and Application Part II." Harvard Mental Health Letter (June 2002).

Jesitus, John. "Mind and Body Medicine: Putting Mind Over Health Matters (Feature Story)." Managed Healthcare Executive (April 2002): 33.

Morain, Claudia. "Biofeedback Speeds Resolution of Reflux in Children." Urology Times (April 2002): 23.

"Research Briefs: Meditation Reduces Atherosclerosis." GP (May 13, 2002):4.

ORGANIZATIONS

The Mind/Body Medical Institute. Deaconess Hospital. 1 Deaconess Road. Boston MA 02215.

Center for Mind-Body Medicine. 5225 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 414. Washington, DC 20015. (202) 966-7338.

Center for Attitudinal Healing. 19 Main Street. Tiburon, CA 94920. (415) 435-5022.

Douglas Dupler

Teresa G. Odle