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What is Mind-Body Health and Fitness?
By Dr. John Spencer Ellis

You have heard about it on the news. It seems to be the "Hollywood" thing to do. Your friends talk about it, but what is it? Mind/Body health and fitness has several different meanings. This is a blanket term, which generalizes the entire alternative health and fitness industry. It likely means something completely different to each person you ask. Today, you will learn what it truly means. Mind/Body has also been called any of the following names: complimentary, alternative, holistic, whole-body, new age, quasi-medical, nutty-crunchy, Eastern, bodywork, bodyways, and others.

Regardless of its name, one thing holds true. It is rapidly growing in popularity and acceptance. The educational requirements to teach, or practice these disciplines is also quickly on the rise. I must first qualify the basis of this article prior to going any further. None of these modalities should replace a medical doctor's advice on major health issues. I must also note that many western trained doctors have little or knowledge of most of these methodologies. Because of this, they are frequently leery of suggesting complimentary methods of achieving optimal health. When you seek an educator, instructor, or specialist in these areas of health and fitness, review their qualifications. Acupuncture is becoming more mainstream. Many HMO and PPO organizations now realize that is an effective method of treatment for headaches, pain control, and allergies. It works on the premise that body energy (chi) flows through mammals on pathways called meridians. When the path of chi is blocked or slowed, optimum health can't be attained. Does it work? It even works on dogs after surgery to control pain. Many studies have documented that after receiving an acupuncture treatment, the dogs were calm, needed less medicine, and healed more quickly. What proof is that? You can't give a dog a placebo! You can't tell the dog that the treatment is really a "Scooby Snack!" Since the 1950's, clinical and medical hypnotherapy has been accepted by the medical association as a legitimate occupation.

Most people's vision of hypnotherapy is that of a stage performer with exaggerated antics to excite the crowd. In a therapeutic setting, it's very different. It's quiet comfortable, and a fun experience. You will always be in total control. You will always remember what occurred. You will hear everything, and you won't be asleep. I'm sure it seems even more intriguing now! Hypnotherapy works because it allows you to relax to a point where your "critical factor" is gone. This is the part of your brain, which differentiates reality from fantasy. In this state, the therapist actually talks to your subconscious mind about the habits, rituals, or pain you want to change. But not everyone can be hypnotized, right? Everyone can! If you fight it the entire time, yes you can avoid being "induced." If you fight it, you likely shouldn't have sought it out in the first place. Some people feel that it only works on less intelligent people. Well, the smarter you are, the easier it is. This is because the therapist can use more advanced skills, word patterns, and use your intellect to your advantage. Here's another interesting thought: All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The therapist simply guides your journey!

One form of therapeutic exercise originating in China, is Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an ancient slow motion exercise that will allow you to harmonize your blood circulation with your breathing, while coordinating the movements of your hands, feet and head. Tai Chi is unique as it does not require great strength nor does it involve strenuous physical exertion. Unlike other forms of exercise, Tai Chi can be performed by anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. This is because it is effortless to perform. Slow, even, rhythmical movements are its distinctive features. Its practice won't raise a sweat or even make you breathe heavily. In fact, Tai Chi has a tendency to slow down the breathing rate. The use of force, haste and speed are taboo. Scientific evidence suggests that there are three basic therapeutic principles behind the effectiveness of Tai Chi. These are the restoration of vitality, the storage of physical energy, and the massaging action of the visceral organs. The later is achieved through natural breathing, which causes the diaphragm to move up and down, thus exercising the internal organs. Tai Chi practice provides physical therapy, which Western science has just now begun to explore and appreciate. You will achieve better health through a balanced development of the limbs. Your breathing will become smooth and your muscles relaxed. You will increase the flexibility of your joints, and develop a better outlook on life because you will feel healthier and maintain a high spirit. There are three main styles of Tai Chi. They are Chen, Yang, and Wu. Each has its own unique characteristics. One thing remains the same. You will feel better, be happier, and enjoy each day a great deal more.

The Feldenkrais Method is essentially functional integration and awareness through movement. Moshe Feldenkrais developed the method. He earned degrees mechanical and electrical engineering, and later earned a doctorate in science. He was also a judo master and explored yoga. This system involved learning how your body functions by awareness, verbal instruction, and postural balancing. People around the world have used this system to feel better and improve their lives.

Myofacial Release was a term coined by osteopathic physician, Dr. Robert Ward. It is essentially soft tissue manipulation to bring balance to the human structure. Your fascia is the lining of your muscles. They support the muscular structure, which in turn support the skeletal structure. The therapy includes: palpation, mobilization of soft tissue, treatment of trigger points, and breaking down adhesions in the deeper layers of tissue, which limit range of joint motion.

Ida P. Rolf developed the highly regarded method of bodywork called Rolfing. She viewed the body as an architectural unit made up of several blocks or segments. The position and placement of one unit to another would determine the functionality of the other bocks. By viewing the body in this way, it can be literally be rebuilt one black at a time. The therapy takes place over a course of several treatments. Each will build upon the one prior. The further along the treatment, the deeper the work becomes in the soft tissue.

NLP (aka Neuro Linguistic Programming) is a more commonly used method of human achievement than you may think. NLP was popularized by the infomercial king, Anthony Robbins. NLP is the art and science that can be described in a nutshell, as an "attitude and a methodology that leaves behind a trail of techniques." First, the attitude of NLP is one of curiosity and experimentation. Next, the methodology is modeling, which is the process of duplicating excellent behavior. Another person's behavior can be duplicated by studying what that person does inside their head (language, filters, programs, etc.) to produce results. NLP was initially created in 1975 by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, who began modeling and duplicating the "magical results" of a few top communicators and therapists. Some of the first people to be studied included hypnotherapist Milton Erickson, gestalt therapist Fritz Perls and family therapist Virginia Satir. Since then, many others have contributed to the growth and development of the field. And finally, the trail of techniques created through this type of modeling is what is commonly known as NLP Today, NLP is widely used in business to improve management, sales and achieve-ment/performance, inter-personal skills; in education to better understand learning styles, develop rapport with students and parents and to aid in motivation; and of course, NLP is a profound set of tools for personal development. So, how does this help you stay fit and healthy? It teaches you to analyze, understand, and change rituals and habits that keep you from attaining your fitness goals and dreams. Essentially, you teach yourself to replace negative rituals with ones that are empowering and positive.

Priests, monks, athletes, and yogis have practiced meditation for many years. It is similar to self-hypnosis, clinical hypnosis, or guided imagery with one exception. During meditation, you focus on the time between your non-verbal mantra, such as "Om." It is during this "down time" that you think, ponder, or simply relax. While practicing self-hypnosis, clinical hypnosis, or guided imagery, you focus on the verbal cues that are suggested by a hypnotherapist or yourself. Meditation can drastically improve sports performance, speed recovery from illness, decrease stress, and clear your mind.

A former aerospace engineer named Joseph Heller developed Hellerwork. He had studied with Ida P. Rolf for several years prior to the creation of his own system. His system integrates connective tissue manipulation which helps realign your body and release chronic rigidities. Movement reeducation teaches you greater body awareness and stress-free ways of engaging in daily activities. Guided verbal dialog assists you in realizing and appreciating the relationship you have with your body. Heller's approach consists of eleven sessions. Each one has a different physical and psychological theme. Training to become a certified Hellerwork practitioner is a 1,250-hour program that includes extensive study in anatomy, psychology, and movement education.

Dr. William Sutherland, an osteopathic physician, developed craniosacral Therapy. Although now practiced by a wide range of health care practitioners, craniosacral work began as a branch of osteopathy. This system works with the craniosacral system, which include the cranium, spine, and sacrum. It was Dr. Sutherland who dispelled the once-held notion that the head was a single immovable skull. He found twenty-two different interconnected, but moveable parts connected by tissue. His further research showed that a membrane, which is called the dura mater, connected all the cranium, spine, and sacrum. Cerebrospinal fluid is pumped through this membrane in a semi-closed hydraulic nature. This is done in a pulsing manner, which can be palpated, and is totally distinct from the heartbeat. Craniosacral therapists evaluate dysfunction and distortion in the dura mater and harmonize the primary elements of your craniosacral system. Craniosacral work is excellent for the treatment of TMJ disorders, headaches, sinus pain, as well as tension and stress. Because of these specialized benefits, dentists, and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors find it beneficial.

The Spencer Method is my creation. It involves NLP, hypnosis, neuromuscular reeducation, body awareness, movement therapy, and yoga therapy. It is used for chronic pain, headaches, rotator cuff injuries, limited range of motion, and fatigue. It is based on my medical training, Chinese kung-fu theories, yoga, as well as a diversified array of alternative modalities. The Spencer Method has worked well when other avenues have not yielded the desired results.

Chiropractic needs to be mentioned. It can be viewed as conventional medicine, or a holistic method of healing the body. It's based on the premise that our bodies have subluxations at various points in our spine and even our extremities. A subluxation is a partial misalignment between to bones. This misalignment can lead to pain, skeletal imbalances, muscles tightening, and headaches. You can look at if from this perspective. Think of a house that is built on an uneven foundation. Could the walls crack? Can the floor separate in places? Will it last? Your skeletal system is the same as the house's foundation. Structural imbalances in the skeletal system decrease your opportunities for optimal health for a variety of reasons, but one in particular. At each level of the spine, there are nerves that flow out and control various actions and organs in your body. When a nerve is pinched, the organ can't function at its peak level. While working at a chiropractic rehabilitation facility, I have personally witnessed amazing treatments. Two come to mind. The first was an elite figure skater who injured his ankle and wasn't able to compete. An orthopedic surgeon suggested surgery. The skater wanted options. After a radiographic study, it was deemed there was no break and it was simply a compressed ankle joint. This is known as a subluxation in the talus. The chiropractor adjusted the ankle. A loud pop was heard in the office and the skater was completely free of pain from that point forward. He was actually doing double axles in the hall… no joke! The second incident is even more amazing. A urologist had suggested his patient see a chiropractor for his incontinence (weak bladder) since conventional treatment wasn't working. The third lumbar vertebrae has a nerve emerging from it that controls the sex organs, kidneys, uterus, bladder, and knees. In this ladies situation, The third vertebae was greatly compressed against the one below, as well as having some rotation. The treatment called for flexion-distraction (stretching and opening the joint space), as well as manual manipulation. Within two weeks of treatment, the incontinence had completely subsided.

Chi Kung (aka Qi Kung and Qi Gong) is an ancient Chinese method of exercise and healing based on the bodies' own ability to heal itself if placed in the right environment and taught how. Chi Kung literally means, "working with life energy." It works on many of the same premises as acupuncture mentioned earlier in this article. Instead of using needles to increase the flow of chi, a person will go through a series of breathing exercises, movements, and postures to balance chi, or move it where it's needed. A Western example of moving chi is when you are doing a dumbbell bicep curl. If you look away from the arm being worked, you will lose power. When you look at the arm, think about the muscle, focus, breathe, and allow your body's natural energy to work, you are much stronger. Chi Kung works the same way, except it is done in a very passive manner. The Discovery Channel has done some very impressive and informative specials on chi. The producers of the show used Western science to prove chi exists, and can be honed over years of practice.

Polarity Therapy is the creation of Ralph Stone (1888-1981). He was a doctor of osteopathy, naturopathy, and chiropractic. He also studied reflexology, Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine. As its name indicates, Polarity Therapy deals with energy in the body. It is based on the fact that the head holds a positive electric charge and the feet hold one that is negative. At points between the head and feet known as chakras, a therapist palpates and assesses blocks of energy, as well as tension in various soft tissues. Through various techniques the body is once again balanced. There are more than fifty additional therapies we didn't discuss today.

The human body is an amazing machine with no spare parts (well maybe your appendix). Investigating new ways to keep it working at an optimal level is interesting, educational, and healthy. It's funny… we use our brains to learn more about our brains, and we use our bodies to learn more about our bodies. Or is it the other way around? Maybe both? Any way you look at it, this journey of life should be filled with exploration of our human limitations, and as many healthy days as possible. Remember, the point of the journey is not to arrive.