Difference between an experimental group that practiced meditation for a period of 14 weeks and a control group that did not meditate are analyzed. The difference between mediators and non mediators were found in a number of variables including: feeling upset over criticisms of others, taking tranquilizers or street drugs to change mood and aching joints and muscles. The work supports the idea that meditation is beneficial along a number of lines. Among these subject, meditators benefited most as regards experiencing few symptoms of aching muscles or joints and well as less use of drugs and tranquilizers
The idea of a body-mind connection is not a new one. In fact, it is only in our recent past that the two ideas have been seen as separate. Today, there is a paradigm shift around the concepts of health, illness and treatment options. Yet in the midst of the best health care systems Western medicine has to offer, millions of people are seeking alternative health care.
The World Health Organization estimates that between 65% and 80% of the world population, or about 3 billion people rely on a traditional or alternative medicine. Alternative healing does not ignore the importance of allopathic treatment, primarily the use of drugs and surgery as a first line of defense when a patient presents a health concern. Rather, a major thrust of integrative medicine is that noninvasive and natural treatments be explored as well. Alternative care tends to be less invasive, and have fewer side effects compared to current traditional options.
One problem with alternative care is that most physicians have not been trained in alternative approaches.
The word meditation comes from the same Greek and Latin roots as the word medicine. Traditionally, physicians were both healers and spiritual guides. Calming the mind and the body allows one to better listen to the wisdom of the body. Meditations a way to balance the body and mind. In today's society stress levels are so high the effect is like constantly being in a high idle. Our heart rate increases, the blood pressure goes up, the level of hormones in the blood changes, breathing gets faster and more shallow, the muscles tense for quick action.
Studies on the long-term mental benefits of meditation show that meditation reduces stress and increases reported levels of happiness, self-confidence and general effectiveness. Experienced fewer headaches and less pain in the neck, extremities and joints. There was also a decline in the use of tranquilers, antiheumatics and gastrointestinal agents. In a medical study by a medical insurance company the statistics for 2,000 participants were used. Those who practiced meditation had lower medical utilization in all categories.
Resource: E.Monk-Turner/The Social Science Journal 40 [2003]
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