I try to keep an open mind, but as someone immersed in science, I tend to view most non-traditional medicine rather skeptically. That said, I've …
Category: Integrative medicine
A closer look at hypnotherapy (aka hypnosis)
Those in the know now call hypnosis "hypnotherapy," a name the practice has earned by demonstrating real benefits to people with conditions ranging from post-traumatic …
An oasis of peace in “the 500 channel universe”: Research on mindfulness and depression
Earlier this month, the American Psychological Association issued a feature on mindfulness and depression, highlighting research that suggests mindfulness is an effective way to ameliorate …
Podcast explores Americans’ use of complementary medicine
Do you do yoga, take probiotics, see a chiropractor, or follow a special diet? If so, you're not alone; roughly 34 percent of Americans make …
Stanford researchers to study effectiveness of yoga-based wellness program at local schools
Managing stress and making healthy choices is a daily struggle for many of us. But what if way back in elementary school we had learned …
How do you get through the NBA Finals? Practice, practice, practice (yoga)
A student in a yoga class I attended in Berkeley, Calif. last Saturday asked the teacher about the origin of the Sanskrit chant we had just …
Research brings meditation’s health benefits into focus
The effects of meditation aren't all in your head; they influence your body and spirit, too. That's according to a Huffington Post piece and infographic …
Ah…OM: Study shows prenatal yoga may relieve anxiety in pregnant women
During a pre- and postnatal yoga module of my yoga teacher training, I was enchanted by instructor Desi Bartlett's reference to "pregnant goddesses" – our future …
Stanford researchers use yoga to help underserved youth manage stress and gain focus
A segment on PBS NewsHour yesterday explored how Stanford researchers have brought yoga and mindfulness practices to students who experience post-traumatic stress disorder owing to …
The remarkable impact of yoga breathing for trauma
“Military guys doing yoga and meditation?” I’ve been asked in disbelief. It’s true that when they first arrived to participate in my study (a yoga-based …
Exploring the use of yoga to improve the health and strength of bones
I’ve written before about research studies on yoga, as well as components of my yoga teacher-training program. Delighted to find connections between the two worlds, …
Ask Stanford Med: Pain expert responds to questions on integrative medicine
Sometimes the best medicine is staying healthy. As more Americans look for ways to improve their health, prevent disease and manage pain, the subject of …
Ask Stanford Med: Pain expert taking questions on integrative medicine
Integrative medicine - the combination of traditional Western medicine with evidence-based, complementary approaches to health improvement, symptom management and disease prevention - encompasses many disciplines. …
Benefits of mindfulness programs for med students
Previously on Scope, we've written about the prevalence of burnout among medical students and the use of mindfulness-based programs to help physicians facing similar situations. …
Using meditation to train the brain
Previous research has shown that practicing meditation regularly can induce positive changes in the body and can help reduce stress, improve heart health and boost the immune …
Exploring the science of hypnosis with Stanford's David Spiegel
Are you hypnotizable? Chantell Williams, with National Geographic's Youth Radio, recently sought that answer about herself and turned to Stanford's David Spiegel, MD, for help. A …