Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing

When Opinions Differ: Gridlock, Parallel Universes, and Moral Insanity

Larry Dossey — 2012-01-01

“A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.” —Socrates, Phaedo

The American Board of Integrative Medicine

Bonnie Horrigan, Andrew T. Weil, Victoria Maizes, Sita Ananth — 2012-01-01

In collaboration with the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), The Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona is working toward establishing an American Board of Integrative Medicine. In those states that recognize ABPS, this would establish integrative medicine as an official medical specialty, making greater reimbursement for those certified as a specialist possible.

The Perfect Storm, The Rise of Localism, and its Effects on National Wellness

Stephan A. Schwartz — 2012-01-01

By any one of several dozen measures — here are three: —the United States is a society of ailing communities. Our national wellness is poor, and this condition exists and is growing just as the country and the world are entering into a perfect storm of transition. Here are just a few of the trends I see: In this perfect storm of change, given the news that you see on your television, don't you think it is urgent that we ask the right questions about how we are to get through this storm of change? I think we can all agree that if you don't ask the right questions you won't get the answers you need to solve the problem. Here is my suggestion for the central question: How are individuals, families, and communities to weather this transition while maintaining a decent quality of life? One answer to that question can be discerned in the rise of localism and the regionalism that results as local efforts spontaneously spring up and spread community to community creating regional networks of citizen efforts.

Effect of Pranayama (Breathing Exercise) on Arrhythmias in the Human Heart

2012-01-01

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias, especially ventricular tachyarrhythmias are an important public health problem. QT dispersion (QTd), defined as the difference between maximal and minimal QT intervals, reflects the regional inhomogeneity of ventricular repolarization dispersion and may mark the presence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Purpose: To determine the effects of Pranayama (breathing exercise) on QTd in patients with arrhythmia. Patients: Fifteen patients with arrhythmia and ejection fractions <40% (mean = 28 ± 9%) who were on a stable medical regimen. Design and Intervention: Standardized 12-lead surface ECGs were obtained at the beginning and end of the Pranayama session, and QT and JT intervals were measured manually and corrected for heart rate by using Bazett's formula. QTd, heart rate-corrected QTd (QTc-d), JT dispersion (JTd), and heart ratecorrected JTd (JTc-d) were measured in at least eight ECG leads in each patient. Results: Following the Pranayama session, patients with arrhythmia had only slight improvements in exercise capacity (results were not significant). However, these patients had marked improvements in QTd (71 ± 11 to 59 ± 17 ms; P < .02), QTc-d (82 ± 28 to 63 ± 17 ms; P < .01), JTd (76 ± 19 to 57 ± 18 ms; P < .002), and JTc-d (84 ± 23 to 61 ± 18 ms; P < .001) following the Pranayama session. Conclusion: These data indicate that Pranayama significantly reduces the indices of ventricular repolarization dispersion in patients with arrhythmia. Further studies are needed to evaluate how effectively this reduction in ventricular repolarization dispersion decreases the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in patients with arrhythmia.

Symbolic Diseases and “Mindbody” Co-emergence. A Challenge for Psychoneuroimmunology

Brian C. Broom, Roger J. Booth, Christian Schubert — 2012-01-01

Physical diseases that appear to be symbolic somatic representations of patients’ personal meanings or individual ‘stories’ continue to be reported in the medical literature. The identification of a symbolic disease requires a clinical focus upon a patient's highly individual and nuanced meanings largely rendered invisible by the usual methodologies of clinical and research medicine, which has no coherent model for understanding symbolic disease. Therefore, a model is proposed of co-emergence of physicality and subjectivity, body and mind, disease and meaning, disease and symbol, which does provide a coherent basis for understanding symbolic disease. The ‘mindbody’ co-emergence model avoids mind and body dualism, assumes unbroken continuity between internal body processes and external interpersonal meanings and influences, and asserts that disease-related ‘internal’ bodily changes and collateral external interpersonal and environmental fluxes are mutually contingent and crucial to the development of the disease. The co-emergence model is discussed specifically in relation to psychoneuroimmunology, but it has exciting clinical and research implications for the whole of medicine.

Vedic Principles of Therapy

R.W. Boyer — 2012-01-01

This paper introduces Vedic principles of therapy as a holistic integration of healing and human development. The most integrative aspect is a “consciousness-based” approach in which the bottom line of the mind is consciousness itself, accessed by transcending mental activity to its simplest ground state. This directly contrasts with “unconscious-based” approaches that hold the basis of conscious mind is the unconscious, such as analytic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Although not presented as a specific therapeutic approach, interventions associated with this Vedic approach have extensive support in the applied research literature. A brief review of experimental research toward a general model of mind—and cutting-edge developments in quantum physics toward nonlocal mind—shows a convergence on the ancient Vedic model of mind. Comparisons with contemporary therapies further show that the simplicity, subtlety, and holistic nature of the Vedic approach represent a significant advance over approaches which have overlooked the fundamental ground state of the mind.

A Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Yoga on Breast Cancer Survivors with Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Arthralgias

2012-01-01

Research Question: Arthralgia affects postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (BCS) receiving aromatase inhibitors (AI), which may result in reduced function and long-term well-being. This is an exploratory, qualitative investigation of BCS who participated in a yoga-based program to understand impact on joint pain and various aspects of quality of life (QOL) through a yoga program. Theoretical Framework: Social cognitive theory was used and provided the foundation for developing a yoga intervention through sources of efficacy information: (1) performance accomplishment, (2) structured experience, (3) verbal support from instructor and group, and (4) physical feedback. Methodology: Ten postmenopausal women with stage I-III breast cancer and AI associated arthralgia (AIAA) received yoga twice a week for eight weeks for 90 minutes and were instructed to continue in a home-based yoga program. We used social cognitive theory (SCT) to structure a yoga intervention as an ongoing physical activity to manage joint pain and function. Participants completed journal reflections on their experience and received weekly phone calls. Analysis: Data was collected and analyzed using qualitative methods. Member checks were completed and emergent themes were explored and agreed upon by the research team to ensure reliability and validity of data. Several emergent themes were discovered: Empowerment: Importance of Camaraderie, Community, and Sharing; Pain Relief; Increased Physical Fitness (Energy, Flexibility, and Function); Relieved Stress/Anxiety and Transferability of Yoga through Breathing. These themes were identified through instructor observation, participant observation, and weekly phone call documentation. Interpretation: Participants experienced an eight-week yoga intervention as an effective physical activity and support group that fostered various improvements in quality of life (QOL) and reduction in AIAA. Participants were highly motivated to improve physical fitness levels and reduce pain. This study revealed benefits from alternative forms of exercise such as yoga to provide a structure, which is transferable in other situations. Information, structured physical guidance in yoga postures, support, and feedback are necessary to foster physical activity for BCS experiencing pain. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Results of this qualitative analysis indicate that interventions to support BCS with AIAA are warranted. Yoga appears to positively impact these side effects of hormonal therapies. Additional research would aid in the development of other interventions.

Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Modern Mexican City and Opting for Phytotherapy

José Azoh Barry — 2012-01-01

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease involving the body's ineffective use of insulin. As a result, the concentration of glucose in the blood increases to unhealthy levels (hyperglycemia). In Mexico, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is high and has proven challenging to control.

Integrative Mental Health (IMH): Paradigm, Research, and Clinical Practice

James Lake, Chanel Helgason, Jerome Sarris — 2012-01-01

This paper provides an overview of the rapidly evolving paradigm of “Integrative Mental Health (IMH).” The paradigm of contemporary biomedical psychiatry and its contrast to non-allopathic systems of medicine is initially reviewed, followed by an exploration of the emerging paradigm of IMH, which aims to reconcile the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual model with evidence-based methods from traditional healing practices. IMH is rapidly transforming conventional understandings of mental illness and has significant positive implications for the day-to-day practice of mental health care. IMH incorporates mainstream interventions such as pharmacologic treatments, psychotherapy, and psychosocial interventions, as well as alternative therapies such as acupuncture, herbal and nutritional medicine, dietary modification, meditation, etc. Two recent international conferences in Europe and the United States show that interest in integrative mental health care is growing rapidly. In response, the International Network of Integrative Mental Health (INIMH: www.INIMH.org) was established in 2010 with the objective of creating an international network of clinicians, researchers, and public health advocates to advance a global agenda for research, education, and clinical practice of evidence-based integrative mental health care. The paper concludes with a discussion of emerging opportunities for research in IMH, and an exploration of potential clinical applications of integrative mental health care.

Victor S. Sierpina — 2012-01-01

This latest issue of the Weil Integrative Medicine Library edited by Gerard Mullin, MD, John Hopkins University School of Medicine Associate Professor and Director of Integrative GI Nutrition Services is indeed welcome. It is long overdue, with a number of delays in publication. I ordered it last year when first announced and have gotten a half dozen or so notices of “delays in shipping” from Amazon, much to my impatience. So I was really pleased when it finally arrived. Dr. Mullin is one of the lead teachers in the advanced practice module in gastroenterology sponsored by the Institute of Functional Medicine. It was that course that supplied me with the information, tools, and skills to write my recent popular press functional medicine-oriented The Healthy Gut Workbook. Many of the core concepts and physiological, functional, and clinical approaches described in my book are explored in greater degrees in this longer, professionally oriented work.

The Case for Commons Health Care

Jamie Harvie — 2012-01-01

A “tragedy of the commons” occurs when the self-interest of certain individuals in a group overrides the collective interest of that group, ultimately to the detriment of all. We are all too familiar with examples of how the unnecessary overutilization of healthcare, the race for medical technology and the entrenched medical interests is ultimately bankrupting our entire healthcare system.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Low Back Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Preventing Preeclampsia, Preventing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Richard Glickman-Simon, Leigh E. Tenkku — 2012-01-01

Level 2 (mid-level) evidence Reference: J Pain 2011;12:307

Evidence Informed Practice as the Catalyst for Culture Change in CAM

Roni Evans, Michele Maiers, Louise Delagran, Mary Jo Kreitzer, Victor Sierpina — 2012-01-01

The NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has funded two rounds of R25 education grants. The first set of R25 grants were awarded to conventional schools and focused on integrating CAM content into health professions education programs. Grants were awarded to medical and nursing schools predominantly, with one grant going to the American Medical Student Association and one grant being awarded to an institution integrating CAM into nursing, medicine and pharmacy. The second round of R25 grants were awarded to CAM institutions and focused on introducing evidence-based practice into curricula of CAM schools including schools of chiropractic, naturopathic, and acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Although not an explicit objective of the grant program, one of the most significant and enduring outcomes reported by investigators has been culture change. This article describes individual and organizational culture changes that occurred at Northwestern Health Sciences University. — Mary Jo Kreitzer and Vic Sierpina

Editorial Board

2012-01-01

Masthead

2012-01-01

Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing

When Opinions Differ: Gridlock, Parallel Universes, and Moral Insanity

The American Board of Integrative Medicine

The Perfect Storm, The Rise of Localism, and its Effects on National Wellness

Effect of Pranayama (Breathing Exercise) on Arrhythmias in the Human Heart

Symbolic Diseases and “Mindbody” Co-emergence. A Challenge for Psychoneuroimmunology

Vedic Principles of Therapy

A Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Yoga on Breast Cancer Survivors with Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Arthralgias

Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Modern Mexican City and Opting for Phytotherapy

Integrative Mental Health (IMH): Paradigm, Research, and Clinical Practice

The Case for Commons Health Care

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Low Back Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Preventing Preeclampsia, Preventing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Evidence Informed Practice as the Catalyst for Culture Change in CAM

Editorial Board

Masthead

Contents