Health is more than the elimination of disease or symptoms. Many studies have shown that mental/emotional stress causes physical changes in the body, which can lead to health problems. Studies also show that the body heals faster and the immune system operates better when the body is in a state of relaxation.
Because emotional, mental, social, spiritual and behavioral factors can directly affect your health, Bastyr Center’s mind-body medicine clinicians focus on helping you create a sense of balance, peace and resiliency.
Finding your inner resources, your inner strength and cultivating a sense of meaning and purpose in life are at the very heart of this approach, as our clinicians help you train to live in a way that would most benefit your whole-person well-being.
What You Can Expect
Mind-body medicine is a collaborative process between you and your clinician. Together we help you identify your concrete treatment goals, your assessment strategies and home practices to move you toward those goals.
Because the first step of mind-body medicine involves self-awareness, you will be invited to monitor your physical sensations, moods and emotions, thought patterns and habitual behaviors. You will also be asked to engage in home practices that mirror the training you practice in session.
Consistent use of mind-body techniques that can help produce a health-promoting state include:
- BiofeedbackThis technique helps you learn how to use your own bodily signals to improve your health and well-being. By monitoring bodily signals, you can gain control over physiological reactions that are usually considered unconscious or automatic.
- Meditation and mindfulness training
- Autogenic training and self-hypnosis
- Guided imagery
- Breathwork
- Journaling
- Relaxation techniques
- Physical and postural exercises
Research has shown that the more you practice outside of sessions, the more effective your training will be.
Conditions Mind-Body Medicine Can Treat
While mind-body medicine treats the whole person rather than focusing on a diagnosis or disease, using your current symptoms as a guide for treatment success is useful. Conditions for which mind-body medicine techniques can be helpful include:
- Addictions
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- ADD/ADHD
- Chronic insomnia
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Hyperactivity
- Insomnia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- PMS
- Poor muscle control
- Raynaud’s disease
Patients often find maximum benefit from consistent mind-body medicine sessions, ranging from as few as 10 session to upward of 25 to 30 sessions depending on your chief concerns. To reap the most benefit from mind-body medicine, we suggest making a commitment to schedule six weekly sessions in a row at one time.
The regular price for mind-body medicine and counseling appointments is $25 per visit.