Recently on the Hypnosis in Asia discussion list, the subject of diseases and their prevention came up. One list member commented on a desire to learn more about the use of yoga to cure her stroke after a long post on health and yogic practice.

This prompted me to think a bit more about how some folks use complimentary practice as a wonderful adjunct to medical treatment while others push to have it replace healthcare altogether.

This is problematic in that while some doctors are ill informed about alternative processes that could aid their patients, not all fit that bill and even if they were, this would not mitigate the responsibility (legal and morally) of those who are not licensed to not interfere with medical practice.

This rather rambling essay is in part my response to the post that got me thinking about this stuff and in part more of a public statement clarifying my thoughts while rethinking some.

Please understand that in this case, while I am speaking of competent and qualified medical supervision here, I am referring to medical doctors and medical conditions. A good friend, Dr. Deepak Vidmar (see http://www.astronlp.com), who is very very well qualified and very well respected for his experience, knowledge, and some wonderful ideas on all this stuff and who I respect a great deal reminded me today during our monthly hypnosis workshop that while doctors may be pefectly qualified to treat physical illnesses, they do not receive all that much training for emotional issues. Deepak – who is in a position to know wherefore he speaks – suggests that before doctors prescribe drugs for mental or emotional issues, they should first attempt non-drug interventions and be able to demonstrate that these interventions (hypnosis, NLP, whatever) do not work for that particular case. This makes perfect sense to me as we should be using non-invasive less harmful methods before resorting to more drastic measures that do have very real and in many cases very dangerous consequences. The recent drug scandals where patients were committing suicide due to a drug’s effect and the discovery that if they went off the drug they then died hammers that point home. No one ever died from NLP or hypnosis . . . makes sense to give them a go first. Of course, since Deepak is a rather wise and experienced fellow, it only follows that he would have that insight.

Back to the medical issues and alternative and complimentary care.

Some folks are selling processes to CURE cancer or heart disease in place of medical care.

This is simply my opinion and others may disagree with me . . . please be wary of anyone who says that they can CURE you through yoga or hypnosis or meditation or anything else without the supervision of a licensed healthcare practitioner. Actually, it many places, the use of the word "cure" is illegal when used in reference to a medical condition unless the person is a doctor, nurse, or the like. At the very least, a person who guarantees a "cure" is being irresponsible and possibly misleading.

It is very important to keep your physician in the loop. I know of a number of "hypnotists" and "yogic teachers" and "qigong masters" who have been operating in Taiwan of late who have been making rather misleading and often false claims regarding their programs who have told folks they no longer need a physician’s care. This is ill-advised and illegal.

Some of these folks are merely misguided in regard to efficacy or effectiveness of their programs while others are in fact predators who are preying on others through fear and lies. Caveat Emptor . . . let the buyer beware. Persons with serious health care concerns are often highly suggestible as they have been placed into a highly stressed state and often are told to fear the worst and as such may be willing to grasp at any straw given to them. However, it is important to understand that there are always persons who make it through a health crisis stronger and better than before and concentrate on being one of those people (there are common personality traits and approaches to life that you can model). There are a number of processes or complementary treatments that are very beneficial so it is important to find one appropriate to you.

Of course, some physicians are likewise ill-informed about the success of the mind-body connection. In such cases, finding a physician who is at least open to the idea may be helpful. From a medical point of view, as long as it’s not interfering with your standard treatment then it can’t hurt and can only help (albeit, some processes will do a lot more than just help, they will accellerate your progress). The stress-reduction and immune response building of meditative focused trance alone will be worthwhile in and of itself.

Any alternative treatments you approach should be to supplement the care you are receiving from your doctor. Never forego your doctor’s advice or the care of a competent healthcare practitioner.

Having said that, yogic breathing may be helpful for some conditions (albeit, you need to be aware that certain breathwork patterns are inappropriate for persons sufferring from health-related problems). The advice that you should do the practice supervised is sound. There are a number of yoga classes available in Taipei . . . I would strongly suggest you seek out one that includes the meditative practice and deep breathing that goes at a slow relaxed pace appropriate to you rather than one of the more intensive "power" yoga courses which concentrate more on flexibility than on breathing or meditation. The real benefit for you is most likely going to come from the breathing and meditation rather than from flexibility. Doing a simple search at http://www.google.com.tw will help you find helpful resources local to you.

Alternative and complimentary healthcare or exercises have proven to be very beneficial for heart patients as supplements to your physician’s care.

Dr. Andrew Weil http://www.drweil.com and http://www.drweilselfhealing.com has some worthwhile information and samples related to breathing that may prove useful to you.

You might also wish to check into getting Gerald Kein’s "healing the wounded heart" hypnosis program http://www.omnihypnosis.com as it has been very successful for a LOT of people. I have used the protocol with folks with good results.

You may also wish to check into one of the Qigong or Taichi related programs associated with a few of the hospitals here in Taiwan (if there is no hospital-associated group near you, then I am certain there is a local practice group near you). The breathing, focus, and relaxation exercises have been shown to be very helpful for stress reduction and for aiding in the healing process. It also works well as a compliment to a focused trance regimen such as guided imagery, meditation, and/or hypnosis. I do NOT reccommend any of the Qigong programs or practice groups that concentrate more on a religious philosophy than a meditative one, but that is simply because I strongly believe the benefit comes from the practice of deep breathing, concentration, focused trance meditation, and the like rather than from supernatural elements or alien guides.

In any case, the alternative and complimentary care programs should only supplement a physician’s care. If anyone tells you they have the miracle CURE for your condition, they may very likely be selling something . . . or, expressing themselves poorly which can also be a problem in that if they can’t express an idea to you well enough, then they can’t be certain you are likewise understanding exactly what they are trying to impart.

I understand that you may be very concerned about your health . . . you should be. However, when looking for alternative programs to supplement your doctor’s care so you can find yourself on the road to good health very soon, take any extravagant claims of instant cures or miracle systems with a grain of salt.

Follow your doctor’s adivce. Maintain your diet. Exercise as appropriate to your condition. Do NOT smoke. Do NOT drink alcohol. Do contemplative deep focused trancework daily (hypnosis, guided imagery and/or meditation) and while doing so visualize healing properties as well as relaxation and stress reduction (the "garbage can" guided imagery on my site at http://www.briandavidphillips.com is a very simple and short exercise that works well for many people in terms of stress reduction – you may find a couple other helpful short exercises in my free guided imagery and DRTRC sections that help get you started on other aspects of your focused trance program as well).

None of this will CURE your stroke . . . you’ve already had it. However, complimentary focused trance supplementing the program and treatments prescribed by your physician will help you regain and maintain your good health sooner and more reliably than without. Doing the work – the exercise and the practice – you may find yourself healthier, happier, and loving life just that much sooner and you’ll feel better for it.

Many people have had strokes before you . . . the numbers are growing every year . . . however, keep in mind that many of those people who have found themselves in the place you are in have found health and happiness . . . just like you may . . . stick to your doctor’s program (assuming you are seeing a doctor whose competence and professionalism your are satisfied with – if not, then go to one who does fill you with such confidence) . . . and find a complimentary breathing and meditation program appropriate for you . . . then STICK TO IT . . .

In the meantime . . . breathe in . . . breathe out . . . relax . . . breathe in . . . breathe out . . . relax . . . and imagine a wonderful pleasant healing glow entering you and relaxing you and bathing you in a wonderful loving healing relaxaing glow . . . from the top of your heads to the tips of you toes . . . and . . . breathe the healing love . . . in . . . and . . . out . . . in . . . and . . . out . . . and notice how relaxed, calm, caring, and loving that feels.

It may seem simple . . . and it is . . . but it works. However, you have to DO IT and you have to FEEL IT while you’re DOING IT and that takes commitment and practice on your part.

All of this is my opinion and should not be considered as medical advice. You need to discuss your options with your physician and make a choice appropriate to your needs.

I hope this has been helpful to you.

Peace,
Brian