Mind and Body Medicine

Mind Body Medicine Unites the Mental and the physical aspects of the healing process Integrates medical practice with psychological interventions Assists in enhancing the capacity to manage illness, healing, and wellness

Psychobiological Approach Understanding the Mind/Body processes Maximizing Awareness Control over symptoms Real Hope

Conditions we Treat Fibromyalgia Treatment resistant Depression Anxiety Medically Unexplained Symptoms Chronic pain Headache disorders Irritable Bowel Syndrome Benign chest pain Chronic Fatigue Infertility

Mind Body Communication Medication withdrawal Education Somatic Awareness Mindfulness The Relaxation Response Biofeedback Gentle breathing Exercises Meditation Lifestyle Enlightenment

Understanding the Mind- Body Processes Stress The perception of a physical or psychological threat, and the perception that one is unable to cope with the threat. This includes: Major life events Trauma and Abuse Environmental signals Physical Emotional stress Eva, Selhub, MD ( )

The average person has 55 stress responses in one day. Herbert Benson, MD (2000) Starting with the alarm clock.

Physiology

Manifestations of Stress Heart disease Peptic ulcers Musculoskeletal d/o Infection, possibly tumors Depression Anxiety Diabetes Gastrointestinal d/o Obsessive /Compulsive d/o Substance abuse Eating disorders Herbert Benson, MD

Relaxation Response Through his research Dr. Herbert Benson discovered that through meditation alone Physiological changes can occur Drop in heart rate, blood pressure, metabolic rate, and respiratory rate. Herbert Benson, MD (2000)

Stop Breathe Choose! The relaxation response counteracts the stress response Rejuvenates the body Creates an environment where healing can begin " "We’ve got the patent for 'alternating diaphragm contraction and relaxation!’” “Now whenever anybody breathes, we collect a royalty."

All You Need Quiet A passive non- judgmental attitude Mental device Comfortable position

Three decades of Research shows these Medical Conditions Relieved or Eliminated by using Relaxation Response Hypertension Cardiac arrhythmias Chronic Pain Insomnia Side effects of Cancer Acute Pain Fibromyalgia Aids therapy Anxiety Depression PMS Infertility Rheumatoid Arthritis Herbert Benson, MD (2000)

What’s Underneath?

Unawareness Can keep us out of touch with our body Missing signals or messages can create physical problems Living in chronic unawareness can cause us to miss out on what may be beautiful in our lives Jon kabat-Zinn, 2005

Mindfulness 40% = ruminating over the past 50% = worry or “what if-ing” 10% = present

Benefits of Mindfulness Two Decades of Published Research shows: Lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms An increased ability to relax Reductions in pain levels and an enhanced ability to cope with pain that may not go away Greater energy and enthusiasm for life Improved self-esteem An ability to cope more effectively with both short and long-term stressful situations. Jon kabat-Zinn, (2005)

Someone IS listening to our every thought…. our Body.

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