According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) there is considerable evidence that emotional traits, both negative and positive, influence people's susceptibility to infection. Following systematic exposure to a respiratory virus in the laboratory, individuals who report higher levels of stress or negative moods have been shown to develop more severe illness than those who report less stress or more positive moods. Recent studies suggest that the tendency to report positive, as opposed to negative, emotions may be associated with greater resistance to objectively verified colds. These laboratory studies are supported by longitudinal studies pointing to associations between psychological or emotional traits and the incidence of respiratory infections.
NCCAM concluded that within the context of Mind-Body Medicine:
Mechanisms may exist by which the brain and central nervous system influence immune, endocrine, and autonomic functioning, which is known to have an impact on health.
- Multicomponent mind-body interventions that include some combination of stress management, coping skills training, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and relaxation therapy may be appropriate adjunctive treatments for coronary artery disease and certain pain-related disorders, such as arthritis.
- Multimodal mind-body approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, particularly when combined with an educational/informational component,
can be effective adjuncts in the management of a variety of chronic conditions.
- An array of mind-body therapies (e.g., imagery, hypnosis, relaxation), when employed presurgically, may improve recovery time and reduce pain following surgical procedures.
- Neurochemical and anatomical bases may exist for some of the effects of mind-body approaches.
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/mindbody.htm
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Coach Virginia, this is fascinating information. In addition to respiratory illness, the mind-body connection was also influential in recovery time for breast cancer patients. Last year, researchers reported at the American Physiological Society meeting in Washington DC that breast cancer survivors who engaged in the Iyengar method of yoga not only experienced psychological well-being but also benefited the patients’ immune system. Here's an excerpt from from the article.
"According to lead researcher Pamela E Schultz, practicing the yoga form resulted in decreased activation of an important immune system protein
called NF-kB in patients, which is a marker of stress in the body.
"So it’s possible," Schultz said, "that decreased activation of NF-kB indicates decreased stress in the body. NF-kB is activated in the body by physical or mental stress."
A little bit of irony on a personal level ... A friend had recommended Iyengar to me as a way to boost my immunity and maybe lessen my allergy symptoms. During allergy season, I'm usually in bed by 8:30 because I'm so exhausted. Not sure if anyone here has tried Iyengar, but it involves a lot of 'inverted poses' which means standing on your head, placing your feet on the wall, etc. While initially it felt really good, the nose bleeds that are a result of my allergies really kicked in during these poses and I had to look for something else.
Someday, I hope to reap the benefits of this type of conditioning, but I definitely need to work on my timing.
November 28, 2008 - 7:47amThis Comment