Is there evidence that biofeedback and other types of mind-body therapies can help with chronic pain?
G: There is a great deal of scientific evidence that biofeedback and various other types of relaxation training can help with chronic pain. There are actually decades of well-designed studies on these therapies. But, that doesnt mean that these therapies will take away all of a persons pain on a permanent basis. Mind-body therapies that focus on relaxation are great tools to have in your toolbox for managing your pain so that you can get on with your life. In recent years, there are more and more studies that report on the health benefits of meditation. For example, an eight-week mindfulness meditation program has been shown to have a number of benefits, such as reducing pain and distress in patients, and enhancing immune system function and changing brain-wave patterns in participants. How do you define meditation? G: People define meditation in many different ways. My working definition is: the attempt to bring non-judgmental awareness to what is happening in the present moment. Lear
