Mind-body interventions
Mind-body interventions
Mind-body interventions (pronunciation: /ˈmīnd ˈbädē ˌin(t)ərˈven(t)SH(ə)n/) are a subset of complementary and alternative medicine that emphasize the interaction between the mind, body, and behavior, and their effect on health and disease.
Etymology
The term "mind-body intervention" is derived from the understanding that the mind and body are interconnected and can influence each other. The term "intervention" refers to the application of techniques or therapies to improve health and wellbeing.
Description
Mind-body interventions include a wide range of practices, including meditation, yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis, and guided imagery. These practices are designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. They are often used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments to help manage symptoms, reduce stress, and improve quality of life.
Related Terms
- Complementary and alternative medicine: A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine.
- Meditation: A practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.
- Yoga: A group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India.
- Biofeedback: A process that enables an individual to learn how to change physiological activity for the purposes of improving health and performance.
- Hypnosis: A human condition involving focused attention, reduced peripheral awareness, and an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion.
- Guided imagery: A technique used by therapists to help individuals focus and direct the imagination toward a relaxed, focused state.
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