Medicine has always ignored the mind as a cause of disease, but recent research has forced the medical establishment to adjust its attitudes. Incorporating classical ‘fight or flight’ physiology, experiments on animals have shown that psychological disease can cause physical ailments such as indigestion, gastric ulcers, heart problems and disturbances of the immune system.

Much of human physiology is designed to maintain a balanced, calm and constant inner environment, but when ‘threat of change’ occurs, physiology adopts a defensive posture, which can lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, tiredness, irritability, a problem with ‘switching off,’ an inability to function efficiently etc. The cascade of defence reactions is profound. Physiologically, it involves the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenaline/steroid hormones of the adrenal glands, under the hormonal and nervous direction of the lower brain, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. When frightened or excited, the medulla part of the adrenals produces adrenaline, which increases the strength and rate of the heart beat, supplying oxygen to the brain and muscles at a faster rate. It also increases rate and depth of respiration, blood sugar levels and stimulates the general metabolic activity of the cells. Basically, it prepares the body for ‘fight or flight.’

When difficulties persist, stress or anxiety can undermine the immune system and lower resistance to almost any disease. Insomnia, over stimulation, clock watching, restlessness, ambition, guilt and fear are all psychological postures which can cause stressful reactions and lead to psychosomatic disease (including migraine, high blood pressure, asthma & obesity), but it's now known that personality, stress and mental attributes can influence many serious and widespread diseases. For example, the medical world has accepted that the mind does have an effect on the origin and development of cancer – depression and anxiety can cause disturbances in the hypothalamic/pituitary region of the endocrine system, reducing or exhausting the thymus and the circulating lymphocytes which normally combat tumour cells.

Stress is an outcome of your response to life - it can destroy your enjoyment of life - it can cause neuro-muscular imbalances. People often do things to excess - too much travelling, flying, housework, sitting in front of computers, studying, partying etc. They may feel short tempered, hot and bothered, dull and heavy due to physical inactivity or lack of motivation, simply exhausted on all levels.

People need to harness their power of mind, body and spirit for survival. The healing benefits of therapy involve both the relaxation of the body and its positive effects on the mind. As tension is released, you not only feel good physically, you also feel better emotionally and mentally. When your body relaxes, your mind relaxes as well, creating a new state of consciousness. This expanded awareness leads to mental clarity and a healthier physical and emotional way of healing - mind & body unification.

Click on 'Preventing Disease' for more information