Why Become a Mind-Body Medicine Research Scientist?
There are several reasons. The first and most obvious reason is that I am passionate about Mind-Body Medicine and research.
What is Mind-Body Medicine (MBM) Anyway?
In a nutshell, MBM consists of practices that focus on the interaction between the brain, mind, body and behavior, with the purpose to use the mind to affect physical functioning and to promote health (NCCAM, 2011).
A short list of modalities under the umbrella of MBM includes meditation, focused attention, yoga, deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, hypnosis, progressive relaxation, qi gong, and tai chi.
MBM modalities are generally used to increase a state of calm and relaxation, improve psychological balance, to help cope with illness and chronic disease and enhance overall well-being.
The exciting news is, that slowly but surely, reliable evidence is emerging that MBM modalities contribute to distinct changes in biochemistry and physiological functioning. For more information about these exciting developments see my “Research” page.
Need For Objective, Evidence Based MBM Information
A second reason is the fact that the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has identified a need for objective, evidence based information about CAM. The organization spells it out in their Third Strategic Plan:
Although a vast amount of information about CAM is available in the public domain, much of it is incomplete, misleading, inaccurate, or based on scientifically unproven claims. Much of the public’s use of CAM occurs in the absence of advice or guidance from health care providers (conventional or CAM). These facts reinforce the need for reliable, objective, evidence-based information regarding the usefulness and safety—or lack thereof—of CAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, p.3).
Your Innate Ability to Heal Yourself And Designing Your Own Health Care Regimen
As a third reason for my quest to become a Mind-Body Medicine Research Scientist I cite the fact that I am a firm believer in people, their innate abilities to heal themselves, to understand themselves and to understand their health care choices. Most important however is the knowledge that people have a need to participate in designing their own health care regimen.
My responsibilities as a Mind-Body Research Scientist/ Practitioner will be to give people the tools to ascertain for themselves what is best for them. One such tool is objective, evidence based, reliable information. For other tools see my page on Mind-Body Skills Groups.
As a Mind-Body Medicine Research Scientist/ Practitioner my focus will be to help advance Mind-Body Medicine as outlined by NCAAM’s strategic objectives, which are:
NCCAM Strategic Objective 1: Advance research on Mind-Body interventions, practices, and disciplines
NCCAM Strategic Objective 2: Having a M.Sc. in Human Nutrition, I am in a position to contribute to research on CAM natural products, such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies
NCCAM Strategic Objective 3: Certain CAM research will also enable me to increase the understanding of real world patterns and outcomes of CAM use and its integration into health care and health promotion
NCCAM Strategic Objective 5: Develop and disseminate objective, evidence-based information on CAM interventions.
How Can You Benefit From My Academic Aspirations Right Away?
Look at NCCAM’s quote above again. Even though vast amounts of CAM information are “out there,” much of it is incomplete, misleading, inaccurate, or based on scientifically unproven claims.
When you are faced with cancer, valid and accurate information is key to informed decision making.
I hope you find my website and the services I offer beneficial to you. Please go to my “About” page to view my credentials.
Again, thank you for visiting and please don’t hesitate to contact me to inquire how I can assist in your journey to optimum health and wellness, or when you are dealing with difficult health care decisions.
Beste Gesundheit,
Werner Absenger, M.Sc.
MBM Research Scientist and Ph.D. Candidate at Saybrook University’s School of Mind-Body Medicine, Research Track
Reference:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2011). NCCAM’s Third Strategic Plan: Exploring the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/about/