Psychoneuroimmunology is a growing body of science which has made a definitive connection between the tremendous role that the Spirit, Mind, and Emotions play in regaining, maintaining, and/or building Physical Health and Well-Being.... And let me make it clear --- here and now --- that as powerful as Conventional Modern Medicine may be and as powerful as Nutrition, Diet, Herbs, Supplements, and other Therapeutic approaches may be, we should understand that a lasting Prevention, Improvement, and Cure of almost any illness is most deeply and fundamentally rooted in emotional, mental, and yes, our Spiritual STATES of Health.
An Example of this would be:
· Do people “catch” colds or flu simply because viruses
happen to be around?
· Or do we come down with the flu/cold because our
resistance is down and our immune defenses are in a
weakened state?
· And then again, why have we been neglecting ourselves so
much to allow our immune system to go down?
· Deeper still, do you feel loved by other people, by God, and
do you love yourself?
· Deeper still, what purpose is this illness serving? What is
this illness substituting for in Life, a fundamental need of
yours that is not being met???
Practically speaking, this line of reasoning can really be used for almost any illness --- whether is be Colds/Flu, Cancer, Heart Disease, Obesity, Digestive Problems, Depression, etc. And so on!
Unfortunately, I had to realize (a long time ago) that my formal Medical Training has generally ignored not only Nutrition, Diet, Lifestyle, and Exercise, but perhaps most importantly it also ignored the overwhelming connection between your Psycho-Spiritual-Emotional STATE of Health and Physical STATE of Health and/or Disease. Yes my friends, Modern Medicine has had until Recently considered:
· the mind unfathomable
· emotions too intangible
· and the Spirit untouchable
Recent breakthroughs (e.g. Deepak Chopra, Bernie Siegel, etc.) now encourage us
· to go beyond Conventional Approaches to
treating Dis-Ease
· to go beyond merely defining and
categorizing illness on a purely physical level
· to go beyond simply finding the most effective
pharmaceutical agent or surgical procedure to
provide only relief or suppress the symptom
As a Wholistic, Preventive Medical DOCTOR moving into the 21st Century, I encourage you to realize that true Health is really not found in a Hospital, a Bottle of Pills or a Doctor’s Office or even a Health Food Store, but Health has its fundamental Root and Beginnings in the Mind, Spirit, and Emotions.... (Yes, there are even many unhappy and unhealthy Vegetarians or Exercise enthusiasts or anything else).
The truth is that we must learn to balance and blend and unite our Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual in an all out effort to truly LOVE OURSELVES, on All levels!!!
Moreover, in recent years, Medical Science has called more and more into question this relationship between the mind and body. As a result, over the last decade, a new field of medicine has been emerging: Psychoneuroimmunology, the study of the relationships between the mind/consciousness, the brain/nervous system, and the immune system. By observing changes in the immune system in connection with various stresses, emotional states, and personalities, scientists have begun to document what behavioral scientists have been telling us for centuries and what medicine men, shamans, and faith healers have known for millennia; that our minds and emotions --- what we think and feel, how we perceive and react, what we believe in --- has a profound effect on the health of our bodies!!!
On a technical note (if you would briefly indulge me), the more we learn in the field of psychoneuroimmunology, the more apparent it becomes that the dualistic Cartesian distinction between the mind and body is no longer useful or even accurate. Some scientists now feel that a more unified term of bodymind is far more appropriate. Research has demonstrated unmistakably that functions and substances we previously thought were relegated solely to the functioning of the brain occur throughout the body --- even in cells of the immune system. Scientists are both shaken and excited by the Realization that what we think of as mind may not necessarily be a brain function, but rather an organizing glue that maintains a balance, a wholeness among various bodymind components ---- Better known to the world as “Spirit” or “Consciousness”. (e.g. Deepak Chopra)
For example, what astounds researchers is the recently discovered fact that the cells of the immune system (all over the body) are capable of producing all the brain neuropeptides themselves. This indicates that the immune system not only receives messages from the brain, but it can also transmit detailed information back to the brain.
What this means is that immune cells, all throughout our body can think, feel, and communicate!
Furthermore, when this immune system is suppressed, it allows infections and cancers to occur. When it is overstimulated, for instance, by continual responses to stress, it will begin to attack the self, producing autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Also, your immune cells know when you’re scared, depressed, angry, or happy. They know if you’re in love or desperately lonely. They can access what you’re thinking or feeling, not only from the neuropeptides and other biochemicals in the bloodstream, but from nerve fibers that originate in the brain stem and spinal cord that communicate directly to the thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
Bottom line is every cell (and atom) in your body thinks, feels and communicates, and determines your Physical STATE of Health depending on your psycho-spiritual-emotional STATE of being.
Numerous other examples exist that illustrate the power of one’s attitude, character, and spiritual perspective.
You may have read Norman Cousin’s Anatomy of an Illness, which relates the story of the author’s recovery from a terminal illness through determination and laughter.
You may also be familiar with the work of Gerald Jampolsky, author of Love is Letting Go of Fear and Teach Only Love. At the Center of Attitudinal Healing in Tiburon, California, Jampolsky has taught and inspired children with terminal cancer to heal themselves.
In Love, Medicine, and Miracles and in Peace, Love, and Healing, Bernie Siegel, M.D. relates how he teaches his cancer patients to activate their own inner healing mechanisms.
Finally, if you read and study the works of Deepak Chopra, M.D., you would be truly amazed at his thinking, realizations, and perspectives on the Healing power of the Mind/Spirit.
Equally significant are recorded data that verify the ability of experienced meditators and individuals adept at prayer, biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and other similar practices, to
control pain, blood pressure, bleeding, heart rate, infection, and other “involuntary” functions at will.
There is also overwhelming anecdotal evidence and some scientific documentation that through conscious and unconscious means, through our thoughts, emotions, attitudes, beliefs, personalities, imagination, and creativity, we can enhance our immune response and resist or overcome illness.
Psycho-Spiritual-Emotional-Physical
Wholeness Techniques to Regain, Maintain, and Build Health
· Deep or Vigorous Breathing Techniques
· Yoga
· Meditation
· Tai-Chi
· Creative Visualization
· Positive Affirmations
· Dream Analysis
· Self-Suggestion and Hypnotism
· Re-Evaluation Counseling
· Personal Counseling
· Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)
· Cognitive Behavior Therapy
· Prayer
· Chanting
· Positive Support Groups
· Master Mind Groups
· Reading Ancient Spiritual Writings
· Rebirthing
· Diary
· Pets
· Laughter Therapy
· Dance/Movement Therapy
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