It has been a lifelong conviction of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and other religions that prayer has the power to heal. In the words of Paul Parker, professor of theology and religion at Elmhurst College outside Chicago, “Some call it prayer, some call it cleansing the mind. The words or posture may vary. But in times of illness, all religions look towards their source of authority.” [read post]
Creativity plays a great role in our quality of life. Treatment approaches that address only physical health may be good for our bodies but not enough for wellness. In contrast, holistic treatment approaches that include self-regulation techniques (what individuals can do for themselves to harness the healing potential of positive emotions) promote wellness by tapping into our creativity. Examples of such approaches include meditation and visualization, aromatherapy, Ayurvedic medicine, energy-based therapies, prayerful intention, and also arts. Medical professionals are beginning to recognize the role that creative arts play in the healing process; increasingly, arts are being used in medical programs throughout the United States and worldwide. [read post]
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines as interventions “employ[ing] a variety of techniques to facilitate the mind’s capacity to affect bodily functions and symptoms.” Research has shown that MBT is effective for healing various health disorders. It reduces the risk of heart disease and it helps people be physically active and quit smoking. [read post]
