Duncan Blog

Dr. Eric Duncan Blog

Duncan Chiropractic Group P.C.

http://www.doctorofbrighton.com

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Tip of the Month


What's Better For Pain, Morphine or Medication?
And Why It's So Important For You To Know The Answer.



Mind over matter. Some believe in it. Some don't. Is it really possible for you to control the inner workings of your body through thought? Well, now there is a growing body of scientific research helping to answer this question. For example, a recent study in the Journal of Neuroscience pitted morphine against medication to see which one is better for pain relief.


The Results Were Shocking.


In the study, 15 volunteers were taught the focused attention meditation technique. This technique teaches students to let go of distracting thoughts by focusing on their breathing. In this case, the volunteers attended four 20-minute classes. Then, the volunteers were subjected to pain (a patch heated to 120 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5 minutes and 55 seconds. This "pain" was administered before and after meditation, and the volunteers recorded their level of discomfort. After the training sessions, the volunteers reported a 40% reduction in pain intensity and a 57% drop in pain unpleasantness. According to the researchers, Morphine typically reduces pain ratings by 25%. MRI scans also showed changes in brain activity before and after meditation in the areas that control pain. Here's a somewhat complex quote from the researchers, "Together, these data indicate that medication engages multiple brain mechanisms that alter the construction of the subjectively available pain experience from afferent information." In other words...


Medication Seemed To Actually Affect The Brain In
A Way That Could Reduce A Person's Sensitivity To Pain!


Even though this is very impressive, this study has a small number of volunteers, only 15, so no definitive conclusion can be drawn. But, there is mounting evidence that what you believe can control the inner workings of your body. For example, in last month's issue of this newsletter, research was presented that showed anti-depressant medication was not much better than placebos. In fact, placebos were shown to improve symptoms 82 percent as much as the real pill. According to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International: "However, if experts and antidepressant manufacturers are aware of this, the general public certainly isn't... Millions of people every year feel better, simply because they believe they'll feel better." It is no longer a question "if" your thoughts change your body chemistry... but to what extent... and... what is the best way to maximize it? The implications of this are far reaching for both health and for living the successful, happy and fulfilled life you've always wanted. It seems self-help pioneers who said things like, "thought become things" and "we become our dominant thoughts" were WAY ahead of their time.



Clearly, we must be very careful what thoughts we allow to take root in our subconscious mind. This starts with what we read, watch on television, hear on the radio, and the people who surround us. All these years, we were afraid of the germs carried by someone but maybe the words you hear from that mouth are worse than the germs it coughs up.


Remember, we're always here to help your body heal


and maintain the health you deserve.


































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