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The old adage - mind over matter - is being shown to be increasingly true at the ultimate level of research physics and at the more mundane levels of the several thousand research projects carried out worldwide into the effects of mental states on the immune system. Known to be true by most, if not all, of the ancient systems of medicine and the most probable explanation of the "placebo effect". In this aspect of our work the patient is taught to relax and then use mental imagery to visualise the cancer being regressed. It has been found most effective if no fixed methods are used, but the patient is encouraged to develop their own visualisation which they can then change if they wish. For those patients who are unable to relax, we recommend the use of hypnotherapy - once their fears of its "Svengali" image can be overcome.
From Hipprocrates onwards until the onset of technical medicine, emotion was recognised as a causative factor in cancer. Recently, through the pioneering work of Le Shan and Mears, who have worked on this aspect for 25 years, interest and acceptance of the idea that suppressed or traumatised emotions can play their part in ill health has increased. The epidemiological evidence of higher breast cancer rates in widows and divorcees is evidence of this factor. Giving patients love, care and time can be a therapeutic process for all involved.
Since Norman Cousins wrote of his experience in reversing incurable conditions by watching Keaton, Chaplin, etc. "funnies" and recordings of "Candid Camera" more attention has been paid to the old adage that "a happy person is never ill".
In the USA there are an increasing number of hospitals that have a "Laughter Room" - surely an improvement on the dreary waiting room or corridor in which fearful and worried patients are expected to wait for hours for treatment or the results of tests.
Although this aspect covers religion, we like to emphasise that this is not its total meaning. Many patients will find comfort and new meaning in their religious beliefs and it is good that they do so. Our approach to this aspect is somewhat wider and embraces the idea of a "meaning in life" or, as Le Shan puts it, "Singing your own song". Broadly speaking this means changing life to encompass things that are meaningful to the patient as an individual and not living to externally imposed programmes. It has been observed, on many occasions, that patients who find "something to live for" often do so against all expectations. Recent research in Holland has shown that "spontaneous remission" is due to such factors.
We also recommend healing (sometimes called "the laying on of hands" or spiritual healing") as this has been found to be very beneficial by most patients. It is not necessarily related to any belief system, not does it require the patient to believe in anything, only to be open minded.
