Recent scientific breakthroughs--demonstrating that mind body
strategies can actually "switch off" or "switch on" gene activity
associated with health and disease--have triggered a mind body
revolution in the medical world.
In the 1970s, Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School ushered in a
new era of understanding in the field of mind body medicine. Coining the
term "relaxation response," Dr. Benson identified the body's physiologic
reaction that is the exact opposite of the stress (fight-or-flight)
response. In the four decades since that initial discovery, Benson and
his colleagues have established the first effective therapy to
counteract the harmful effects of stress. They have explored how the
relaxation response, the power of expectation and belief, and other mind
body phenomena can produce healing in your own body.
A new era has dawned. Genetic research now shows conclusively that the
mind can influence the body down to the genetic level. Your mind has
the ability to change the way your body and your genes function.
We now have scientific proof that the mind can heal the body.
In Relaxation Revolution, Dr. Herbert Benson and William Proctor
present the latest scientific endings, revealing that we have the
ability to self-heal diseases, prevent life-threatening conditions, and
supplement established drug and surgical procedures with mind body
techniques. In a special "treatment" section, Benson and Proctor
describe how these mind body techniques can be applied--and are being
applied--to treat a wide variety of conditions, including:
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety and depression
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Menopausal hot flashes
- Many pains, including backaches and headaches
- Phobias
- And much more
Relaxation Revolution details Dr. Benson's recent work with colleagues
in the field of genetics, which links mind body treatments to the
healing of a steadily expanding number of medical conditions. Mind and
body have become part of a scientific and medical whole; together they
represent a complete approach to healing and maximal well-being. In
clear, straightforward language, Benson and Proctor cite the experiences
of real people to show how mind body techniques have the potential not
only to enhance healing but also to reduce health costs to individuals
and to society as a whole. Relaxation Revolution shines a light on the
future of medicine.
