Studies and Progress Notes (Janaury 2008)

* *  SPIRITUAL AWARENESS AND WHOLISTIC HEALING * * 

Qualitative study of spiritual healing for cancer

Abstract:
The real-life practice of ‘healing’ for cancer in the community as perceived by clients and healers was investigated in a multi-method pilot study. Fifteen clients received six weekly healing sessions. Pre- and post-changes in perception towards well-being and client experience were assessed by EuroQol (EQ-5D), measure yourself concerns and well-being (MYCaW) and a client satisfaction tool. Qualitative methods, including focus groups, explored the perceived effects of healing in more depth and the participants’ experience of taking part in research. The study was not designed to test the effect of healing on disease. Quantitative data showed perceived significant improvements in ‘concerns/ problems’ for which clients wanted help (p < 0.01), well-being (p < 0.01) and anxiety/depression (p < 0.05) over the course of healing. Significant effects were not seen in all areas of quality of life. Qualitative analysis showed clients mainly sought help for psychological and emotional concerns and reported only beneficial effects of healing. Clients attributed many of the quantitative improvements to healing itself. Despite some concerns, healers and clients engaged fully with the research process, and were enthusiastic about the importance of research into healing. Our study suggests that, while there are some confounding issues and study limitations to address, clients and healers perceive healing to have a range of benefits, particularly in terms of coping with cancer, and regard it as a useful approach that can be applied in a community setting alongside conventional medicine.

Source: C. Vaghelaa, N. Robinsonb, J. Gorec, B. Peacea, A. Lorencb, Evaluating healing for cancer in a community setting from the perspective of clients and healers: A pilot study, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2007, 13, 240–249

IJHC – WHR Observations

It is good to see a methodical documentation of the many anecdotal reports that spiritual healing can be helpful to people with cancer.

**  FUTURE RESEARCH IN WHOLISTIC HEALING * * 

The IJHC/WHR E-Zine features monthly suggestions for future research in healing.
READERS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS FOR TOPICS TO STUDY
If your topic is chosen, you will receive free access to the IJHC for a month, including the current issue and all back issues.
 
 Self-healing as a potentiating approach to spiritual healing

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has thousands of studies confirming self-healing effects on the immune system through imagery, meditation and relaxation in humans, and other mind-body mechanisms in animals. PNI is reported to help with self-healing for cancers.  Qigong involves self-healing exercises, with qigong masters augmenting healing by projecting powerful healing energies. It appears likely that the combination of PNI and spiritual healing would be more effective than either alone.  This is a subject ripe for research.

* *  WHOLISTIC APPROACHES * * 

Blind acupuncture practitioners in Japan

“The blind and the visually impaired have been known for centuries for displaying amazing talents in fields where other senses than sight prevail (musicians spring readily to mind, and we have some gifted physiotherapists in this country as well). But a little known special talent of the visually impaired has been thriving for three hundred years in Japan (and only in Japan, amazingly) - the practice of acupuncture.

The art of inserting needles for therapeutic purposes seems an unlikely profession for someone who can't see, but the super-sensory awareness of their touch has meant that blind practitioners have dominated and developed the field of acupuncture in Japan, and still do…”

This was demonstrated by blind acupuncturists visiting the UK from Japan. More on this at http://www.toyohari.org.uk/  

Source: Positive News, Nov 30, 2007 http://www.positivenews.org.uk/artman/publish/article_1394.shtml

IJHC – WHR Observations

Not only is this a fascinating note about acupuncture, but it also suggests this may be an avenue for studying the abilities of people to sense bioenergies with their fingers and to enhance their acupuncture needling or acupressure with bioenergy interventions. I have heard from numbers of acupuncturists that they can sense the acupuncture points with their fingers; that they sense bioenergy exchanges occurring between themselves and the client during treatments; and that different acupuncturists will get different results with the same client because of differences in the bioenergy exchanges.


* *  COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES * * 

Meta-analysis confirms that stress reduction methods are helpful in treatment of hypertension

Abstract
Substantial evidence indicates that psychosocial stress contributes to hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous meta-analyses of stress reduction and high blood pressure (BP) were outdated and/or methodologically limited. Therefore, we conducted an updated systematic review of the published literature and identified 107 studies on stress reduction and BP. Seventeen trials with 23 treatment comparisons and 960 participants with elevated BP met criteria for well-designed randomized controlled trials and were replicated within intervention categories. Metaanalysis was used to calculate BP changes for biofeedback, -0.8/-2.0 mm Hg (P = NS); relaxation-assisted biofeedback, +4.3/+2.4 mm Hg (P = NS); progressive muscle relaxation, -1.9/-1.4 mm Hg (P = NS); stress management training, -2.3/-1.3 mm (P = NS); and the Transcendental Meditation program, -5.0/-2.8 mm Hg (P = 0.002/0.02). Available evidence indicates that among stress reduction approaches, the Transcendental Meditation program is associated with significant reductions in BP. Related data suggest improvements in other CVD risk factors and clinical outcomes.

Source: Rainforth, Maxwell V. Stress reduction programs in patients with elevated blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Current Hypertension Reports 2007, 9:520–528

IJHC – WHR Observations

These highly significant findings confirm and strengthen the many anecdotal and research reports that and relaxation, biofeedback and meditation are helpful in treatment of hypertension. This is all the more important because self-healing approaches can reduce or even eliminate the need for antihypertensive medications – saving discomforts of side effects, loss of life due to medication effects, and monetary costs.

Bach flower Rescue Remedy helps with high anxiety

Abstract:
Bach® Original Flower Essence (BFE) Rescue® Remedy, a modality used since 1930 but not yet thoroughly investigated scientifically, was evaluated for the reduction of acute situational stress. A double-blind clinical trial comparing a standard dosage of BFE Rescue Remedy against a placebo of identical appearance was conducted in a sample of 111 individuals aged 18 to 49, randomized into treatment (n = 53) and control (n = 58) groups. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered before and after the use of Rescue Remedy or placebo. Downward trends in anxiety level measurements were discovered in both the treatment (Rescue Remedy) and control (placebo) groups. Statistical analyses indicated that only the high-state anxiety treatment subgroup demonstrated a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest scores. The results suggest that BFE Rescue Remedy may be effective in reducing high levels of situational anxiety.

Source: Halberstein, Robert, et al. Healing With Bach® Flower Essences: Testing a Complementary Therapy, Complementary Health Practice Review, 2007, 12(1), 3-14.

IJHC – WHR Observations

Bach (pronounced as in batch) remedies have been used for many decades for stress and many other symptoms. They are gentle and without side effects or danger warnings. This is the first study confirming the efficacy of Rescue Remedy.

The most impressive response I’ve seen personally to Rescue Remedy was with a cat that had been terrorized by a neighborhood cat bully. She was afraid to go out, and was (uncharacteristically) so constantly clinging to the human members of her family that we were constantly stumbling over her. Within minutes of receiving the Rescue Remedy she was again calm and stopped her clinging behaviors.

There are many further varieties of flower essences, such as Perelandra, Alaskan, Raven, Australian and more.
 

More CAM reviews at
http://www.naturalhealthvillage.com/
www.mdlinx.com/FamilyMDLinx 
 www.ucalgary.ca/~camig/litsearch.html
AMSA website
www.amsa.org/humed/camresources/camnews.cfm

* * TECHNOLOGY * *

New nanotechnology promises enormous boosts in solar electrical power

New, more efficient methods for conversion of solar energy to electrical current are being developed. These include capabilities for layering a film of nanoparticles on any surface. This promises to be a great boost to clean energy production.

See: http://www.technologyreview.com/Nanotech/18259/
http://www.nanosolar.com/

IJHC – WHR Observations

This is an enormously promising approach both to energy production and to reducing carbon emissions.

* *  ENVIRONMENT (HEALING OUR PLANET) * *

Blood levels of mercury are related to diagnosis of autism
 
Abstract
The question of what is leading to the apparent increase in autism is of great importance. Like the link between aspirin and heart attack, even a small effect can have major health implications. If there is any link between autism and mercury, it is absolutely crucial that the first reports of the question are not falsely stating that no link occurs. We have reanalyzed the data set originally reported by Ip et al. in 2004 and have found that the original p value was in error and that a significant relation does exist between the blood levels of mercury and diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder. Moreover, the hair sample analysis results offer some support for the idea that persons with autism may be less efficient and more variable at eliminating mercury from the blood.
Source: DeSoto, M. Catherine and Hitlan, Robert T. Blood levels of mercury are related to diagnosis of autism: a reanalysis of an important data, Journal of Child Neurology 2007 22(11), 1308-1311
http://www.sarnet.org/lib/BloodHg.pdf
See also:  Ip P, Wong V, Ho M, Lee J, Wong W. Mercury exposure in children with autistic spectrum disorder. J Child Neuro. 2004;19:431-434.
 

IJHC ­ WHR Observations
 
Chelation, a CAM approach that removes mercury from the bloodstream, is a treatment worth considering, although my impression is that this has not proved curative when done as a single approach to autism.

 

World Bank launches forest carbon fund

“NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The World Bank on Tuesday launched plans for a $300 million fund to fend off global warming by preserving forests, but protesters said it risked turning homes of indigenous people into an asset for the rich.

The new financing mechanism, launched at U.N. talks on tackling climate change, aims to turn better forest management into a tradeable commodity to try to halt destruction so rapid it accounts for around a fifth of annual carbon emissions…”

Source: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP300758.htm

IJHC – WHR Observations

Carbon trading encourages some reductions of emissions, but also allows companies to buy off their obligations to the planet and continue polluting the atmosphere.

Global heating (warming is an unacceptable euphemism!) must be addressed with the utmost seriousness and urgency. We do not know when me may be crossing a point of no return, after which the heating of our planet will be irreversible for many millions of years.

 * *  HUMAN ECOLOGY* * 

Bullying on line: New cyber bullying guidelines

“Bullying Online, the UK’s leading anti-bullying charity, thinks it’s great that the government is getting to grips with cyber bullying.

This charity was the first in the UK to highlight this problem publicly in 2000 and since then we’ve received thousands of complaints of abuse by text message, silent phone calls, insulting forum messages, happy slapping and vicious and threatening website pages.

We contributed to these new cyber bullying guidelines and believe that schools across the UK, and in England where this new advice is targeted, now have all the powers they need to tackle all forms of bullying.”

See cyber bullying advice on http://www.bullying.co.uk/pupils/internet_safety.php http://www.bullying.co.uk/parents/hightech.php 

IJHC – WHR Observations

Bullying is not to be tolerated in any form. By not confronting bullies, one is condoning their behaviors and they are likely to continue and to escalate. It is really helpful to have advice and support from organizations such as the above.