Mind and body are interlinked with one another. In this, the power of thoughts and emotions (feelings, attitudes, beliefs etc.) influences the physical health (posture, exercise, eating etc) of a person either positively or negatively. Some recent studies by scientists have provided strong evidence in the favor of mind-body therapies. It is called self repairing mechanism, when the mind have positive influence on the body, which helps the body in fixing the broken proteins, eliminating toxins, killing cancer cells, slow aging, fighting infections etc to keep our body healthy. When this self defense mechanism fails to function properly, it leads to many crooked things and many diseases.
Mind-body techniques are used to treat different types of diseases such as high blood pressure, asthma, insomnia, coronary heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, obesity, mental health issues, menopausal symptoms etc. It is also used along with medicines to treat pain, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
There are different types of mind-body therapies and practices such as medication, prayer, biofeedback, yoga relaxation, cognitive-behavioral therapies, patient support groups, creative art therapies (music, art or dance), hypnosis etc. Some these most commonly used techniques are given below in brief:
Cognitive Behavioral therapy: It is used to identify and change the negative thoughts of a person to positive. It is a long lasting treatment for tinnitus
Biofeedback: Certain body process that usually occurs involuntarily can be controlled using biofeedback. In this process, the involuntary conditions are measured and displayed on the screen as a feedback of the internal body function. For example- blood pressure and heart rate. Biofeedback is applicable in many conditions, but very often it is used in treating migraine headache, chronic pain and tension headache.
Relaxation techniques: There are different types of relaxation techniques available, they are
- Autogenic training: In this visual images and body awareness are used in creating deep state of relaxation.
- Progressive muscle relaxation: It involves creating and releasing tension in each and every muscle in the body, which starts from toes and ends with the head.
- Meditation: Transcendental and mindfulness mediation are the two most popularly used meditations. In transcendental meditation a mantra (a word or a phrase) will be repeated, where as in mindfulness meditation, moment by moment thoughts and sensations are considered.
- Hypnosis: In this thoughts become more attentive and focused while the body of a person relaxes. Mental health professionals mainly use this technique to treat the patients with anxiety disorders, phobia, pain and addiction.
- Spirituality: Qualities like hope, faith and forgiveness, using prayers and social support are considered to have noticeable effect on health and healing, which is suggested by research.
The main aim behind the mind-body medicine is to relax the body and mind along with the reduction in the levels of stress producing hormone in the body. This improves the immune system to fight against the illness.
“The natural healing force within us is the greater force to get well soon”.