What is Mind-Body Therapy?

Mind-Body Therapy has been gaining credibility in our modern western society for sometime now and today it is now considered a distinct category of complementary medicine as delineated by the U.S. National Center for Complementary or Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/mind-and-body-practices

There are many types of Mind-Body therapies, however, the four types of therapy for the purpose of this article are interestingly all therapies that are deeply rooted in ancient Eastern traditions, dating back thousands of years.

Acupuncture, Yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi.

Acupuncture is part of the ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system. It is considered that by releasing blocked energy known as “Chi” , both the mind and body are stimulated to encourage natural healing.

Yoga, Tai-Chi and Qigong, all share in common a connection or interaction between mind and body that changes both our physiology and psychology achieved through a combination of gentle exercise and breathing techniques.

Yoga, an ancient Eastern tradition, which encompasses physical postures, and spiritual practices with the overall goal of uniting mind and body through a series of postures or stretches, breathing exercises, and meditation.

Qigong, over 4000 years old, a Chinese healing energy medicine involves using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate life energy, known as Qi.

Tai Chi is an ancient form of Chinese martial art that involves slow, gentle movements, rhythmic  breathing and concentration.

Studies are also showing us these ancient holistic Mind-Body Therapies can provide immediate and long-term improvements to our mental, physical, and emotional well being. As such we are starting to find that Mind-body therapy is also being promoted and introduced to us, by a wide range of health professionals for promoting overall improvements in general health and for well-being.  There is also growing evidence to suggest that these therapies can act as supporting treatments for chronic diseases including cancer treatment.

As Holistic Health practitioners this is something that is deeply encouraging as it reinforces what we already know that Mind-Body Therapies and other complementary practices have a rightful place in health and healing.

Below is a link to the Cancer Council of Australia who have written a great document called “understanding complementary therapies” This document includes information on a wide variety of complementary and alternative / holistic practices including Acupuncture (pg41), Qigong (pg55), and  Tai Chi (pg59.) and Yoga (pg61)
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Understanding-Complementary-Therapies-2023.pdf

by Maria Wrenn

Marie specialises in Holistic Counselling, Intuitive Spiritual Healing, Magic Herbalism, Reiki Energy Healing.