According to a National survey conducted by The Society of General Internal Medicine, led by Dr. Peter M. Wolsko, " mind–body therapies were commonly used by Americans: almost 1 in 5 adults reported using 1 or more mind–body therapies in the last year."
The report went on to say that "users of mind–body therapies are more likely to be single, aged 40 to 49 years, have higher levels of education, have used some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) other than mind–body therapies, and have used self-prayer for a medical condition in the last year. Our findings in this regard suggest that the population subset who use mind–body therapies is very similar to those who use other CAM therapies, particularly with respect to positive associations with higher education and being aged 40 to 49 years."
Further, the report pointed out " while most previous studies have found slightly higher use of CAM among women, we did not find this a significant association with use of mind–body therapies. Furthermore, we found that single persons were more likely to have used mind–body therapies than married persons; an association that has not been previously reported for the use of any other CAM therapies."
The researchers went on to say, "mind–body therapies were used to treat the full spectrum of medical conditions, but were most often used for psychiatric conditions and chronically painful conditions."
The report pointed out that "future research should prospectively study the impact of physician education on appropriate referrals to mind–body professionals and examine for the presence of other barriers to use of mind–body therapies."
In sum, the researchers concluded, "Overall, we found that mind–body therapies were commonly used, primarily without any professional assistance, for a wide variety of medical conditions. Mind–body techniques may be underused for conditions associated with documented benefits such as chronic pain, insomnia, coronary artery disease, headaches, insomnia, chronic low back, and disease and treatment-related symptoms of cancer, and possibly overused for other conditions, putting patients at potential risk. Clinicians have much opportunity to assist their patients, and likely the health care system as a whole, by referral to mind–body professionals in appropriate clinical circumstances. "
The following interview with author, Alan Smith, highlights the benefits of complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) as drawn from personal experience.
1. What is the title of your book?
UnBreak Your Health – The Complete Guide to Complementary & Alternative Therapies
2. Can you share the premise of your non-fiction book?
There is a world of hope and health available today called complementary and alternative medicine.
3. In particular, what led you to write on the topic?
My inspiration for the book came from my disappointing trip to the Mayo Clinic. When you’re sitting in the doctor’s office with no more options in mainstream medicine it’s amazing how open-minded you become. Fortunately I soon discovered the world of CAM and better health.
4. Is there a key person or group that has inspired you in the process of writing?
Bruce Lipton inspired me to write UnBreak Your Health. His book, Biology of Belief, was the first step on my path to better health. The positive impact of his book on my life made me want to help others in the same way. There are so many wonderful and amazing therapies available today I wanted everyone to at least be aware of them so they can make the most informed decisions possible about their own health care.
5. How do you envision your book will impact your readers?
Hopefully my book will help readers discover their own path to better health.
6. As you embarked on writing your book, what was the overall message you wanted to
convey to your audience?
There is ALWAYS hope! Even when the doctor says there’s nothing more he can do or to "just learn to live with it" that does not mean there isn’t anything more that can be done. There are hundreds of therapies that have been proven safe and effective for decades, hundreds even thousands of years.
7. What process did you go through to research your book?
As a former news reporter for radio, TV and newspaper my training helped me to research each of the topics in my book. Books, interviews, talking with national organizations, websites … each topic required a slightly different mix of sources.