The Mind-Body Connection

In my training for certification as Guided Imagery Therapist, I encountered many cases of people who were able to heal their physical selves with their minds. Of course Guided Imagery is not meant to take the place of sound medical care, nor does it make any promises of cures. However, giving the cells in your body the correct, positive messages will certainly make the journey toward healing easier. One need only look at the studies done on those soldiers whose pain from wounds on the battlefield lessened when they ‘thought' they were given morphine, or all the other placebo tests that attest to the power of the mind over the body. If you can imagine a healthier self, your body will actually work to replicate that image.

Thanks to Dr. Bruce Lipton and his ground-breaking book THE BIOLOGY OF BELIEF our eyes are now open to how our thoughts affect the functioning of the cells in our bodies.

To paraphrase Dr. Lipton, the implications are that the combination of quantum psychics and cell biology are powerful tools toward health. The new realization is that genes and DNA do not necessarily control us, and that signals from our brains, both positive and negative, can have a profound effect on our DNA. What this means is that we are not hopelessly locked into our genetic make-ups.

Pioneers in this field, such as oncologists, Dr. Bernie Siegel and Dr. Carl Simonton have been successfully utilizing guided imagery for over 20 years in the treatment of cancer. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons reports that "guided imagery, a low tech relaxation technique reduced pain and anxiety after colorectal surgery; helping people to heal better and faster."

What we tell ourselves, what our bodies ‘hear' determine how our cells respond. It is noteworthy that our bodies do not know the difference between what is true and what is fiction. If you are constantly thinking you will get cancer because ‘my grandmother had cancer and my mother too,' your body says, in essence, ‘well, it's cancer she wants.' Dr. Lipton points out that we as humans have a great capacity for sticking to false beliefs with great passion....and that many of the beliefs that propel our lives are false, and hold our bodies back from being on the road to health and happiness.

We are what we think

by Patti Leviton

Article published in the American Holistic Health Association newsletter, as well as archived on www.AHHA.org.

As a Board Member of the American Holistic Health Association, as well as a holistic practitioner, I am both intrigued and pleased with the current increase in scientific studies on the body/mind connection. The research of biochemists such as Dr. Candace Pert is proving that there IS a connection between our thoughts, emotions, even the words we speak, and our physiology. Her fascinating work is substantiating that our feelings can stimulate certain hormones and chemicals in our body that can enhance or suppress our immune system, that a negative attitude, for example, can literally lower our metabolism. No wonder that diet never works when we’re depressed!

I believe, therefore, that the first step to a more holistic lifestyle begins with being AWARE. Just by being aware of our thoughts, our state of mind, our attitudes, we can make a subtle shift. The body, an obedient and faithful servant, is listening. I remember as a child growing up in Chicago, in the fall season, my family started stocking the medicine cabinets with cold pills and aspirin. The flu season would soon be upon us. Alas, self-fulfilling prophecy, our bodies obeyed, and sure enough, we would bout with a round or two of the flu. The body was indeed providing what we asked for or expected.

Similarly, as we indulge in a marvelous hot fudge sundae, we often say, “I’m going to gain ten pounds!” and maybe we do. The body is always listening. Think about all the negative and often erroneous information we “feed” our bodies on a daily basis. Review your belief systems for the truth you tell your body. Think about the dialogue, the positive as well as the negative things you convey to yourself. What is your belief about your health? What do you tell yourself about diet?

We have the power to control our thoughts, adjust our attitudes, our outlook, and slowly, I believe the body is “given the permission to heal”. We can gradually give the body freedom to mend and perform all the functions of health in perfection. This, indeed is a continual process of our own self talk. By affirmation, whether it is by our thoughts or our words, slowly the body will obey in health.

The second step in this journey of health is BELIEF. Modern science is continually baffled by the phenomenon of the placebo effect. When we believe that a certain procedure or medication will be effective, it will. Increasing the efficacy by 50 to 60%, I believe our positive self talk to the body is working.

Decades ago, during the Vietnam War, ill prepared for the enormity of the conflict, medics found themselves too often tending to the severely wounded with no morphine. Time after time, they would administer an IV saline solution, the only thing they had, telling the soldiers that it WAS morphine and that their pain would soon subside. Within a short time, the pain was alleviated. How? Sugar water is hardly an analgesic. Was it their belief that it was morphine that literally tricked the body into producing the chemicals, the endorphins, necessary to block pain? Lab reports taken from these soldiers who had been given only saline, but with the understanding that it was morphine, revealed there was morphine in the blood. Where did it come from? The body was listening indeed.

Wherever your healing journey takes you, be aware of your self talk. Do you believe in the treatment, what is your belief system about each particular modality? If you believe and have confidence, the body hears this and will respond in a positive way. If you are fearful and apprehensive, the body likewise will react in a negative way.

And the third step in the process is REMEMBERED WELLNESS. As researched by Dr. Herbert Benson, Harvard University Medical School, when we visualize or think about our bodies in health, remember a time when we felt our bodies were the strongest and healthiest, certain hormones and chemicals are literally secreted to replicate that good health. Time and again, in my private practice, I use this technique with my clients to promote healing. As they imagine and remember themselves in perfect health, their bodies are literally obeying.

Right now, think about a time when you felt the best, when you felt you were the healthiest. It could be last week, last year, or twenty years ago. Close your eyes and literally see yourself as that strong, perfect you. Feel the balance, the strength. Now, throughout your day, continue to think about that healthy you. The body IS listening.

Research has proven that just by focusing and thinking about yourself in health enhances the immune system. By doing a simple saliva test, scientists are proving that the immunoglobulin A increases. Indeed, proving a powerful body/mind connection.

Your journey to a more holistic lifestyle begins with being AWARE. Your very thoughts and attitudes can greatly effect your health, positively or negatively; it’s your choice. Then add BELIEF, the strong commitment that what you are doing is in the best interest of your health and wellbeing. And, lastly, focus on the healthy you, the REMEMBERED WELLNESS of when you felt the strongest and healthiest. Your body is a faithful obedient servant that will respond.

Simple tools to begin your journey. Namaste