ARTS & SCIENCE OF MEDICINEGROUP 11 Alternative Medicine (Biofeedback, Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, Meditation)Written Report

A. BIOFEEDBACK

Philosophy and History:

Biofeedback is one of the earliest behavioral medicine treatments and has been practiced in clinical settings since the 1970s. Biofeedback achieves its results through psychophysiological (mind-body) self-regulation. In simplest terms, self-regulation means the ability to observe oneself and acquire the skills needed to make changes in ones physiology, behavior, or even lifestyle in order to promote well-being and health. It is a tool for achieving mind-body integration. In biofeedback therapy, individuals are trained on electronic monitors to exert control over vital bodily processes, such as heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, muscular tension, and brain activity. By observing and monitoring shifts in bodily functions or striate muscle activity, patients learn to adapt and modify their mental and emotional responses to alleviate symptoms and help regulate specific health conditions. Today, biofeedback is used widely by physicians, nurses, psychologists, physical therapists, drug rehabilitation counselors, dentists and other professionals to treat an array of disorders.

Biofeedback evolved out of early laboratory research in the 1940s. In the 1950s and 1960s researchers from different fields independently studied various applications of feedback mechanisms to modify physiological functions in animals and humans. H.D. Kimmel, Neal Miller and David Shapiro were among the psychologists using operant conditioning models to further biofeedback research, and it was in the late 1960s that the term biofeedback was first used to describe this type of learning. Early researchers thought that the instrumentation itself exerted direct psychophysiological effects and that the feedback information functioned as a kind of behavioral reward which led to symptom reduction. As a result, early outcome studies designed to show clinical effectiveness underemphasized the important role of training in biofeedback. Contemporary clinicians and researchers now view successful biofeedback treatment as contingent largely on skills acquisition and mastery, and the focus of research has shifted increasingly from demonstrating efficacy to refining and improving training procedures. In 1969, researchers joined together to form the Biofeedback Research Society (renamed the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback) to promote communication, study, and application of biofeedback in the U.S.

How Does Biofeedback Therapy Work?

During a biofeedback session, electrodes are attached to your skin. Finger sensors can also be used. These electrodes/sensors send signals to a monitor, which displays a sound, flash of light, or image that represents your heart and breathing rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, sweating, or muscle activity.

When you're under stress, these functions change. Your heart rate speeds up, your muscles tighten, your blood pressure rises, you start to sweat, and your breathing quickens. You can see these stress responses as they happen on the monitor, and then get immediate feedback as you try to stop them. Biofeedback sessions are typically done in a therapist's office, but there are computer programs that connect the biofeedback sensor to your own computer.

A biofeedback therapist helps you practice relaxation exercises, which you fine-tune to control different body functions. For example, you might use a relaxation technique to turn down the brainwaves that activate when you have a headache.

Several different relaxation exercises are used in biofeedback therapy, including: Deep breathing Progressive muscle relaxation - alternately tightening and then relaxing different muscle groups Guided imagery - concentrating on a specific image (such as the color and texture of an orange) to focus your mind and make you feel more relaxed Mindfulness meditation - focusing your thoughts and letting go of negative emotions As you slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and ease muscle tension, you'll get instant feedback on the screen. Eventually, you'll learn how to control these functions on your own, without the biofeedback equipment.

Different types of biofeedback are used to monitor different body functions:1. Electromyogram (EMG).This measures muscle activity and tension. It may be used forback pain, headaches,anxietydisorders, muscle retraining after injury, and incontinence.2. Thermal.This measures skin temperature. It may be used for headache and Raynaud's disease.3. Neurofeedback or electroencephalography (EEG).This measuresbrainwaves. It may be used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),epilepsyand other seizure disorders.4. Electrodermal activity (EDA).This measures sweating and can be used for pain and anxiety.5. Heart rate variability (HRA).This measures heart rate. It may be used for anxiety,asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and irregular heartbeat.6. Each biofeedback therapy section lasts about 30 minutes. Usually, you can start to see biofeedback benefits within 10 sessions or less. Some conditions, such as high blood pressure, can take 20 or more sessions to improve.Biofeedback UsesBiofeedback can help many different conditions. Here is a rundown of some biofeedback benefits:1. Chronic pain.By helping you identify tight muscles and then learn to relax those muscles, biofeedback may help relieve the discomfort of conditions like low back pain,abdominal pain, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), andfibromyalgia. For pain relief, biofeedback can benefit people of all ages, from children to older adults.2. Headaches.Headaches are one of the best-studied biofeedback uses. Muscle tension and stress can trigger migraines and other types of headaches, and can make headache symptoms worse. There is good evidence that biofeedback therapy can relax muscles and ease stress to reduce both the frequency and severity of headaches. Biofeedback seems to be especially beneficial for headaches when it's combined withmedications.3. Anxiety.Anxiety relief is one of the most common uses of biofeedback. Biofeedback lets you become more aware of your body's responses when you're stressed and anxious. Then you can learn how to control those responses.4. Urinary Incontinence.Biofeedback therapy can help people who have trouble controlling the urge to use the bathroom. Biofeedback can help women find and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that controlbladderemptying. After several sessions of biofeedback,women with incontinencemay be able to reduce their urgent need to urinate and the number of accidents they have. Biofeedback can also help children who wet the bed, as well as people with fecal incontinence (the inability to control bowel movements). Unlike drugs used to treat incontinence, biofeedback doesn't tend to cause side effects.5. High Blood Pressure.Evidence on the use of biofeedback for high blood pressure has been mixed. Although the technique does seem to lower blood pressure slightly, biofeedback isn't as effective as medication for blood pressure control.

Other biofeedback uses include: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) High blood pressure Raynaud's disease Injury Asthma Constipation Epilepsy Rheumatoidarthritis

Many different health care providers offer biofeedback therapy, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and general physicians. To find a qualified biofeedback provider in your area, contact an organization like the Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback.

B. PSYCHOTHERAPY

History:In an informal sense, psychotherapy can be said to have been practiced through the ages, as individuals received psychological counsel and reassurance from others. Purposeful, theoretically-based psychotherapy was probably first developed in the Middle East during the 9th century by the Persian physician and psychological thinker, Rhazes, who was at one time the chief physician of the Baghdad psychiatric hospital. In the West, however, serious mental disorders were generally treated as demonic or medical conditions requiring punishment and confinement until the advent of moral treatment approaches in the 18th century. This brought about a focus on the possibility of psychosocial intervention - including reasoning, moral encouragement and group activities - to rehabilitate the "insane".

Definition:Psychotherapy is therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client, patient, family, couple, or group. Simply, psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider. During psychotherapy, one hopes to learn about their condition and moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors, how to take control of one's life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills. The problems addressed are psychological in nature and can vary in terms of their causes, influences, triggers, and potential resolutions. Accurate assessment of these and other variables depends on the practitioner's capability and can change or evolve as the practitioner acquires experience, knowledge, and insight.

How Does Psychotherapy Help?Psychotherapy helps people with a mental disorder to: Understand the behaviors, emotions, and ideas that contribute to his or her illness and learning how to modify them. Understand and identify the life problems or events -- like a major illness, a death in the family, a loss of a job, or a divorce -- that contribute to their illness and help them understand which aspects of those problems they may be able to solve or improve. Regain a sense of control and pleasure in life. Learn coping techniques and problem-solving skills.

Types of TherapyTherapy can be given in a variety of formats, including:1. Individual:This therapy involves only the patient and the therapist.2. Group:Two or more patients may participate in therapy at the same time. Patients are able to share experiences and learn that others feel the same way and have had the same experiences.3. Marital/couples:This type of therapy helps spouses and partners understand why their loved one has a mental disorder, what changes in communication and behaviors can help, and what they can do to cope.4. Family:Because family is a key part of the team that helps people with mental illness get better, it is sometimes helpful for family members to understand what their loved one is going through, how they themselves can cope, and what they can do to help.

Approaches to TherapyWhile therapy can be done in different formats -- like family, group, and individual -- there are also several different approaches that mental health professionals can take to provide therapy. After talking with the patient about their disorder, the therapist will decide which approach to use based on the suspected underlying factors contributing to the condition.Different approaches to therapy include:1. Psychodynamic TherapyPsychodynamic therapy is based on the assumption that a person is having emotional problems because of unresolved, generally unconscious conflicts, often stemming from childhood. The goal of this type of therapy is for the patient to understand and cope better with these feelings by talking about the experiences. Psychodynamic therapy is administered over a period of at least several months, although it can last longer, even years.2. Interpersonal TherapyInterpersonal therapy focuses on the behaviors and interactions a patient has with family and friends. The primary goal of this therapy is to improve communication skills and increase self-esteem during a short period of time. It usually lasts three to four months and works well for depression caused by mourning, relationship conflicts, major life events, and social isolation.Psychodynamic and interpersonal therapies help patients resolve mental illness caused by: Loss (grief) Relationship conflicts Role transitions (such as becoming a mother, or a caregiver)3. Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyCognitive-behavioral therapy helps people with mental illness to identify and change inaccurate perceptions that they may have of themselves and the world around them. The therapist helps the patient establish new ways of thinking by directing attention to both the "wrong" and "right" assumptions they make about themselves and others.Cognitive-behavioral therapy is recommended for patients: Who think and behave in ways that trigger and perpetuate mental illness. Who suffer from depression and/or anxiety disorders as the only treatment or, depending on the severity, in addition to treatment withantidepressant medication. Who refuse or are unable to take antidepressant medication. Of all ages who have mental illness that causes suffering, disability, or interpersonal problems.

Specific Schools and Approaches Psychoanalysis Psychoanalysis was developed in the late 19th century by Sigmund Freud. His therapy explores the dynamic workings of a mind understood to consist of three parts: the hedonistic id (German: das Es, "the it"), the rational ego (das Ich, "the I"), and the moral superego (das berich, "the above-I"). Because the majority of these dynamics are said to occur outside people's awareness, Freudian psychoanalysis seeks to probe the unconscious by way of various techniques, including dream interpretation and free association. Freud maintained that the condition of the unconscious mind is profoundly influenced by childhood experiences. So, in addition to dealing with the defense mechanisms used by an overburdened ego, his therapy addresses fixations and other issues by probing deeply into clients' youth. Gestalt therapy Gestalt therapy is a humanistic, holistic, and experiential approach that does not rely on talking alone; instead it facilitates awareness in the various contexts of life by moving from talking about relatively remote situations to action and direct current experience. Positive Psychotherapy Positive psychotherapy (PPT) (since 1968) is the name of the method of the psychotherapeutic modality developed by Nossrat Peseschkian and co-workers. Positive psychotherapy is a method in the field of humanistic and psychodynamic psychotherapy and is based on a positive image of man, which correlates with a salutogenetic, resource-oriented, humanistic and conflict-centered approach. Group psychotherapy The therapeutic use of groups in modern clinical practice can be traced to the early 20th century, when the American chest physician Pratt, working in Boston, described forming 'classes' of 15 to 20 patients with tuberculosis who had been rejected for sanatorium treatment. The term group therapy, however, was first used around 1920 by Jacob L. Moreno, whose main contribution was the development of psychodrama, in which groups were used as both cast and audience for the exploration of individual problems by reenactment under the direction of the leader. The more analytic and exploratory use of groups in both hospital and out-patient settings was pioneered by a few European psychoanalysts who emigrated to the USA, such as Paul Schilder, who treated severely neurotic and mildly psychotic out-patients in small groups at Bellevue Hospital, New York. It has been shown to be as or more effective than individual therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy Refers to a range of techniques which focus on the construction and re-construction of people's cognitions, emotions and behaviors. Generally in CBT, the therapist, through a wide array of modalities, helps clients assess, recognize and deal with problematic and dysfunctional ways of thinking, emoting and behaving. Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is therapy that is undertaken with a subject in hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is often applied in order to modify a subject's behavior, emotional content, and attitudes, as well as a wide range of conditions including dysfunctional habits, anxiety, stress-related illness, pain management, and personal development. Behavior therapy Behavior therapy focuses on modifying overt behavior and helping clients to achieve goals. This approach is built on the principles of learning theory including operant and respondent conditioning, which makes up the area of applied behavior analysis or behavior modification. This approach includes acceptance and commitment therapy, functional analytic psychotherapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. Sometimes it is integrated with cognitive therapy to make cognitive behavior therapy. By nature, behavioral therapies are empirical (data-driven), contextual (focused on the environment and context), functional (interested in the effect or consequence a behavior ultimately has), probabilistic (viewing behavior as statistically predictable), monistic (rejecting mind-body dualism and treating the person as a unit), and relational (analyzing bidirectional interactions). Body-oriented psychotherapy Body-oriented psychotherapy or body psychotherapy is also known as Somatic Psychology, especially in the USA. There are many very different body-oriented or somatic psychotherapeutic approaches. They generally focus on the link between the mind and the body and try to access deeper levels of the psyche through greater awareness of the physical body and the emotions which gave rise to the various body-oriented based psychotherapeutic approaches, such as Reichian (Wilhelm Reich) Character-Analytic Vegetotherapy and Orgonomy; neo-Reichian Alexander Lowen's Bioenergetic analysis; Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing; Jack Rosenberg's Integrative body psychotherapy; Ron Kurtz's Hakomi psychotherapy; Pat Ogden's sensorimotor psychotherapy; David Boadella's Biosynthesis psychotherapy; Gerda Boyesen's Biodynamic psychotherapy; etc. Expressive therapy Expressive therapy is a form of therapy that utilizes artistic expression as its core means of treating clients. Expressive therapists use the different disciplines of the creative arts as therapeutic interventions. This includes the modalities dance therapy, drama therapy, art therapy, music therapy, writing therapy, among others. Expressive therapists believe that often the most effective way of treating a client is through the expression of imagination in a creative work and integrating and processing what issues are raised in the act. Interpersonal psychotherapy Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited psychotherapy that focuses on the interpersonal context and on building interpersonal skills. IPT is based on the belief that interpersonal factors may contribute heavily to psychological problems. It is commonly distinguished from other forms of therapy in its emphasis on interpersonal processes rather than intrapsychic processes. IPT aims to change a person's interpersonal behavior by fostering adaptation to current interpersonal roles and situations. Narrative therapy Narrative therapy gives attention to each person's "dominant story" by means of therapeutic conversations, which also may involve exploring unhelpful ideas and how they came to prominence. Possible social and cultural influences may be explored if the client deems it helpful. Integrative psychotherapy Integrative psychotherapy is an attempt to combine ideas and strategies from more than one theoretical approach. These approaches include mixing core beliefs and combining proven techniques. Forms of integrative psychotherapy include multimodal therapy, the trans-theoretical model, cyclical psychodynamics, systematic treatment selection, cognitive analytic therapy, Internal Family Systems Model, multi-theoretical psychotherapy and conceptual interaction. In practice, most experienced psychotherapists develop their own integrative approach over time. Human givens therapy The human givens approach was developed in the 1990s by an Irish and British psychotherapist, Joe Griffin and Ivan Tyrrell. Rather than focusing on symptomatology, the human givens approach works within the framework of emotional needs, such as those for security, autonomy and social connection, which decades of health and social psychology research have shown to be essential for physical and mental health. It is a brief, solution-focused approach which aims to help people identify needs not met, or inadequately or inappropriately met, and to address these using psychoeducation and therapeutic techniques such as cognitive restructuring, cognitive reframing and imaginal exposure all methods endorsed by the standard-setting National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Metapsychiatry A spiritual teaching and form of psychotherapy developed by psychiatrist Thomas Hora, M.D. Its iconoclastic style and world-view originate with its assertion that the meaning and purpose of life are to come to know reality. It defines Reality as the underlying benevolent intentionality of the universe; also as God or Love-Intelligence or Infinite Mind.

Therapy TipsTherapy works best when the patient attends all scheduled appointments. The effectiveness of therapy depends on his/her active participation. It requires time, effort, and regularity.

C. ART THERAPY

DefinitionThe American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others cope with symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art.

Art therapists are professionals trained in both art and therapy. They are knowledgeable about human development, psychological theories, clinical practice, spiritual, multicultural and artistic traditions, and the healing potential of art. They use art in treatment, assessment and research, and provide consultations to allied professionals. Art therapists work with people of all ages: individuals, couples, families, groups and communities. They provide services, individually and as part of clinical teams, in settings that include mental health, rehabilitation, medical and forensic institutions; community outreach programs; wellness centers; schools; nursing homes; corporate structures; open studios and independent practices.

HistoryAlthough art therapy is a relatively young therapeutic discipline, its roots lie in the use of the arts in the 'moral treatment' of psychiatric patients in the late 18th century and in a re-evaluation of the art of non-western art and of the art of untrained artists and of the insane.

Art therapy as a profession began in the mid-20th century, arising independently in English-speaking and European countries. The early art therapists who published accounts of their work acknowledged the influence of aesthetics, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, rehabilitation, early childhood education, and art education, to varying degrees, on their practices.

The British artist Adrian Hill coined the term art therapy in 1942. Hill, recovering from tuberculosis in a sanatorium, discovered the therapeutic benefits of drawing and painting while convalescing. He wrote that the value of art therapy lay in "completely engrossing the mind (as well as the fingers)releasing the creative energy of the frequently inhibited patient", which enabled the patient to "build up a strong defence against his misfortunes". He suggested artistic work to his fellow patients. That began his art therapy work, which was documented in 1945 in his book, Art Versus Illness.

Edward Adamson (1911-1996) is the father of art therapy in Britain. Edward, demobilised after WW2, joined Adrian Hill to extend Hills work to the British long stay mental hospitals. Other early proponents of art therapy in Britain include E. M. Lyddiatt, Michael Edwards, and Rita Simon. The British Association of Art Therapists was founded in 1964.

U.S. art therapy pioneers Margaret Naumburg and Edith Kramer began practicing at around the same time as Hill. Naumburg, an educator, asserted that "art therapy is psychoanalytically oriented" and that free art expression "becomes a form of symbolic speech whichleads to an increase in verbalization in the course of therapy." Edith Kramer, an artist, pointed out the importance of the creative process, psychological defenses, and artistic quality, writing that "sublimation is attained when forms are created that successfully containanger, anxiety, or pain." Other early proponents of art therapy in the United States include Elinor Ulman, Robert "Bob" Ault, and Judith Rubin. The American Art Therapy Association was founded in 1969.

Who Can Use Art Therapy?For the most part, anyone can use art therapy. In a world where there is a multitude of ways to communicate and express ones self, expressive arts therapy is yet another. One of the major differences between art therapy and other forms of communication is that most other forms of communication elicit the use of words or language as a means of communication. Often times, humans are incapable of expressing themselves within this limited range.

One of the beauties of art as therapy is the ability for a person to express his/her feelings through any form of art. Though there are other types of expressive therapies (such as the performing arts), expressive art therapy as discussed here typically utilizes more traditional forms of artsuch as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, or a variety of other types of visual art expression.

What Does an Art Therapist Do?Art therapists are trained in both therapy and art, and have studied and mastered both psychology and human development, having received a Masters Degree. There are various requirements for becoming an art therapist as well as certifications which means they are masters when it comes to using art as a springboard for everything from a general assessment of another persons state to treatment for aiding serious illness. Art therapists can work with people of all ages, sex, creed, et al. They can help an individual, a couple, a family, or groups of people and depending on the situation, there may be numerous therapists working together as a clinical team.

Art therapists are trained to pick up on nonverbal symbols and metaphors that are often expressed through art and the creative process, concepts that are usually difficult to express with words. It is through this process that the individual really begins to see the effects of art therapy and the discoveries that can be made.

Additional Definitions of Art Therapy Art therapy, sometimes called creative arts therapy or expressive arts therapy, encourages people to express and understand emotions through artistic expression and through the creative process. From The Free Dictionary Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art materials, such as paints, chalk and markers. Art therapy combines traditional psychotherapeutic theories and techniques with an understanding of the psychological aspects of the creative process, especially the affective properties of the different art materials. From Wikipedia Art therapy involves the creation of art in order to increase awareness of self and others. This in turn may promote personal development, increase coping skills, and enhance cognitive function. It is based on personality theories, human development, psychology, family systems, and art education. Art therapists are trained in both art and psychological therapy. From The New Medicine

Uses General illness Creative process can aid many illnesses (cancer, heart disease, influenza, etc.). People can escape the emotional effects of illness through art making and many creative methods. Have better vitals and less complications sleeping Landscape picture in a hospital room had reduced need for narcotic pain killers and less time in recovery at the hospital. Ages 11 to 18 with autism spectrum disorder to increase their social skills Cancer diagnosis Art therapy can improve the process of psychological readjustment to the change, loss, and uncertainty associated with surviving cancer. It was also suggested that art therapy can provide a sense of meaning making because of the physical act of creating the art. Helped improve motivation levels, abilities to discuss emotional and physical health, general well-being, and increase global quality of life in cancer patients Disaster relief Art therapy has been used in a variety of traumatic experiences, including disaster relief and crisis intervention Bereaved children Art therapy and other creative, humanistic intervention strategies are becoming popular methods for working with life-threatened patient and for working with the family members of patients who die- particularly bereaved children. Art therapy stimulates the conscious and unconscious expression of the mourning process in adult and child patients. Incarceration Art therapy may be a beneficial treatment for incarcerated women. Can be used to help clients recognize their defense mechanisms that conceal their fear or inadequacy or to create a sense of safety and peace, increase confidence, express feelings verbally, and identify feelings. Distraction Distraction from sadness using art therapy may be a better alternative than venting sadness. Art therapy has also been used to develop problem resolution and emotional regulation skills in children. As an approach to problem solving Congdon (1990) discusses art therapys benefits in terms outside the traditional approaches within the clinical world of therapists purporting that art therapy should be used not just to help treat mental illness but as a tool to help individuals solve problems in day to day living. Eating disorders Clients struggling with eating disorders also often struggle with identifying and expressing their emotional experience. Art therapy is a natural fit for this population. Obsession with food and weight are often attempts to cope with deeper emotions such as depression, rage, loss, and powerlessness. When the focus on the food is transferred into an engagement with the art materials, the client develops a new language for expressing the hidden feelings that drive the eating disorder. Body image, emotion regulation skills, self-esteem and a sense of autonomy can all be strengthened through art therapy. - Amanda Bechtel, ATR, LPC

D. MEDITATION

HistoryMeditation has been around in recorded history for thousands of years. The history of Meditation dates all the way back to ancient times. There has been proof found in Indian artefacts of the history of meditation called, Tantra, that speaks of such practices, dating back 5000 years. Researchers suggest that primitive hunting and gathering societies may have been the ones to have discovered meditation and its many different states of consciousness while gazing into the flames of their fires. The history of Meditation has evolved over thousands of years, into a structured practice that people use daily.

One of the biggest proponents in the history of meditation is the Buddha. The Buddha is also known as one of the biggest meditation icons in both current and times past and has been around since 500 B.C. The teaching of the Buddha became popular in the Asian continent. According to the history of meditation other separate countries and cultures soon adopted many different forms of meditation creating their own special ways of practicing it. Some of the most popularly used forms today are the Buddhist and Hindu-based Easter-style meditation.

DefinitionMeditation is the practice of focusing your attention to help you feel calm and give you a clear awareness about your life. Eastern philosophies have recognized the health benefits of meditation for thousands of years. Meditation is now widely practiced in the West, with the belief that it has positive effects on health.

Two meditation techniques are most commonly used: concentrative and mindful. Concentrative meditation, such as transcendental meditation (TM), focuses on a single image, sound, or mantra (words spoken or sung in a pattern), or on your own breathing. Mindful meditation, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), does not focus on a single purpose. Rather, you are aware of all thoughts, feelings, sounds, or images that pass through your mind.

Meditation usually involves slow, regular breathing and sitting quietly for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Various postures are taken up in some meditation techniques. Sitting, supine, and standing postures are used. Popular in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism are the full-lotus, half-lotus, Burmese, and kneeling positions. Meditation is sometimes done while walking, known as kinhin, or while doing a simple task mindfully, known as samu.

Some mantra techniques (as with Transcendental Meditation, a.k.a. "TM Technique") do not require learning special positions, only sitting comfortably with eyes closed.

What is meditation used for?People use meditation to help treat a wide range of physical and mental problems, including: Addictive behaviors, such as drug, nicotine, and alcohol use. Anxiety, stress, and depression. High blood pressure. A report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends transcendental meditation (TM) as one of the first treatments for high blood pressure. Pain Managing hot flashes, which are sensations of intense body heat that affect women around the time of menopause. Most of these conditions may also require conventional treatment for best results. People also use meditation to relieve anxieties from long-term (chronic) conditions such as HIV and cancer.

Is meditation safe?Since meditation usually involves sitting quietly for a period of time and breathing deeply, anyone who cannot sit comfortably or who has respiratory problems may have difficulty practicing meditation. Some people with mental health problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or schizophrenia, may not be able to use meditation therapy effectively.

Meditation is not thought to have any negative side effects or complications alone or when combined with conventional medical treatment, but it is not considered appropriate or safe for acute, life-threatening situations.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

Sources:A. Biofeedback:a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofeedbackb. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/biofeedback-therapy-uses-benefitsc. http://www.healthandhealingny.org/complement/bio_history.aspB. Psychotherapya. http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/psychotherapy/basics/definition/prc-20013335b. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotherapyc. http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-psychotherapyC. Art Therapya. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_therapyb. http://www.arttherapy.orgD. Meditationa. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditationb. http://www.project-meditation.org/wim/history_of_meditation.htmlc. http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/meditation