Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Meditation

Meditation is similar to relaxation. One might even wonder if they were in fact the same thing. However, several studies have found a significant difference between the two.  It is based within the brain rhythms. In meditation there are increased beta rhythms and decreased alpha rhythms. In relaxation, alpha rhythms are increased (Freeman, 2009).

Meditation calms the mind and in some instances the mind goes into a state of what some call transcendence. In scientific terms it is known as the Blank-Out Phenomenon.  This mental state is thought to clear the mind and break up mental thoughts and mechanisms that are unproductive. When one comes out of the blank-out, they report feeling like they can sense the world more vividly, their mind essentially feels clear of outside disturbances (Freeman, 2009).

There are different types of meditation. One is called transcendental meditation.  Transcendental meditation was developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  Herbert Benson also developed a type of meditation that is not associated with any religion as some feel uncomfortable participating in the transcendental form.  It is called Respiratory One Method.  Mindfulness meditation is another form. It has been used as an intervention in chronic pain, drug use, and in post traumatic stress disorder.  It is also known as Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation. An interesting note is that mindfulness meditation has been shown to increase cognitive abilities in elderly people (Freeman, 2009).

Though meditation has been shown in studies to be effective for many people, there are contraindications to beginning meditation without careful observance and training from a professional. People with a psychiatric history  should be aware that meditation may result in psychotic episodes.  Some studies suggest that meditation causes seizures in those with epilepsy, and yet other studies show that it is very useful in those with epilepsy.  Further research is needed before the outcome of this question is known (Freeman, 2009)

For more information on meditation, please visit: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/meditation/overview.htm

Reference:
Freeman, L. (2009). Complementary and alternative medicine: A research-based approach (3rd ed.).

St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Relaxation

Did you know that relaxation is one of the most commonly used forms of complementary medicine? In fact, relaxation therapy has been used to treat several medical disorders such as eczema, nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy, high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, heart attack,  mental health problems and pain (Freeman, 2009). 
               
There are two types of relaxation. One is somatic,  which refers to muscle relaxation through listening to the body’s sensations.  The second is cognitive relaxation. Cognitive relaxation refers to using a mental image, focusing on a thought, a sound, or breathing. In addition to using a mental focus, the practice of having a nonjudgmental attitude is included. This relaxes the body and the mind at the same time (Freeman, 2009).

When relaxing, the body causes the autonomic system to go into a calm state. The autonomic system is the system that when excited causes the fight-or-flight response. When relaxing, it goes into a resting phase.  This resting phase has health benefits on the cardiovascular system and it also boosts the immune system. Relaxation causes a release of endogenous (within the body) opioid  type substances called endorphins. This is how pain can be decreased through relaxation (Freeman, 2009).

Reference:
Freeman, L. (2009). Complementary and alternative medicine: A research-based approach (3rd ed.).
        St. Louis, MO: Mosby.