Mindfulness may improve immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
People with immune-related inflammatory diseases can use mindfulness techniques to feel better, but we need more research to fully understand the link.
Expert Dr Leonard Calabrese says that while work is still being done to further establish the connection between mindfulness and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, rheumatologists can take steps right now to have a positive impact on the health of their patients:
“Our studies show – and there are copious studies that show this – that people who have mindfulness practices have lower degrees of inflammation and tamping down of these pathways,” he outlines. “These are mind-body techniques, and they include everything from yoga to tai chi. Tai chi has been shown in randomized controlled clinical trials, in the New England Journal of Medicine, to be a highly effective treatment for central sensitization pain.
“Is this all definitive? Do we know that we can change the world, cure cancer and lower viral loads? No. However, there is enough data for me that I talk to my patients every single day about this.”
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