For the last year I’ve been using the newsletter to tell you how to bolster your immune system and to not let yourself be made to feel afraid, which will hurt your immune system. For the most part, my advice has been about supplements and foods that boost immunity. This month I want to discuss placeboes. The pure definition of a placebo is a fake treatment that by all science and common sense won’t help the patient’s specific health problem. In the past, “sugar pills” were given as placeboes. Scientists set up an experiment to prove that a new drug or new therapy will speed up or enhance recovery. The human subjects are divided into at least two groups. One is given the actual treatment and the other is given a placebo, or ‘fake’ treatment. The interesting phenomenon is that frequently the placebo works just as well or better than the actual drug or therapy. Long ago I read a study where even brain surgery was faked! The patients were appropriately sedated and the placebo group received just two holes only drilled deep enough into the skull to hurt and need time to heal. Many patients’ neurological symptoms went away. At first, the researchers felt compelled to disclose to the patients that they were in the placebo group. When they did this, the symptoms that had gone away would come back. That speaks to us of the power of the mind. Some of the latest news tells me some researchers may even be telling the placebo group beforehand that they are getting the placebo. The placebo still helps that group of people. I will summarize the study later on.
Dr. Joe Dispenza has written a book, You Are The Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter. I haven’t read it yet, but here is some information quoted from that source. “Ninety-five percent of who you are by age thirty-five is a set of memorized behaviors, skills, emotional reactions, beliefs, perceptions and attitudes that function like a subconscious automatic computer. This makes up a powerful set of mental abilities, very much like habits. Though these are powerful in self-perpetuation, habits can be changed. It’s important to remember that we don’t have to be a slave to our every thought. With time, vigilance (and practice) we can learn to put a positive spin on negative thoughts. We can learn to tap into one of the most powerful resources we have, our mind, and it’s completely free.” Usually we won’t change unless something motivates it. In my office for example, I will give out stretches and exercises. Most of the time they help, but only if the patient does them. Like the mittens you own they won’t do their job unless you put them on. In this month of Thanksgiving, I am challenging you (and myself) to choose a positive attitude. Try to find humor where you can. Perform acts of kindness on a regular basis. This is a good way to help yourself as well as others around you.
When we are stressed and ruminate on negative thoughts, it manifests in our body as an increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, and elevated blood pressure. This works to raise cortisol and adrenalin levels, the stress hormones. This affects each of us differently. For example, some people’s digestion shuts down and they can’t eat. Other may start to do nervous eating and usually not healthy choices.
If we practice choosing positive thoughts, the opposite occurs. Your heart beats to a normal rhythm, you’re likely to take normal or deeper breaths, blood pressure relaxes and the body makes (and releases) things like endorphins, enkephalins, serotonin and dopamine, the “happy” hormones. These l help reduce pain, improve mood and provide a sense of calm.
There are a few of quotes on a poster in my office that I will print here. “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” “A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.” “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” You can’t un-think a thought, but you can counter bad thoughts with good thoughts and slowly reshape your reaction to what is happening to you.
When I am dealing with a really tough time, trying to figure out a positive statement to counter my negativity, I have used words from the author, Louise Hay. She has two books I rely on, Heal Your Body, and You Can Heal Your Life. Her books can seem too simplistic at times, but it has given me the breakthrough more often than I can count. I recommend her books.
The University of Minnesota website notes the work of Dr. Fredrickson, who has researched the physical and emotional benefits of positivity. These benefits include faster recovery from cardiovascular stress, fewer colds, better sleep and an improved sense of overall happiness. It’s a habit you can learn, and cultivate. It comes naturally for some people. Others (like myself) have to keep trying and practice it, like learning the words to a song.
In addition to this, I highly recommend making the effort to extend yourself to do acts of kindness, it can really change our mental attitude and general disposition. There is something so therapeutic in forgetting yourself long enough to do something kind for someone else that it will improve your own sense of wellbeing. The holiday season has arrived, and there are many charitable organizations in need of multiple resources so that they can provide help to people in need. Ask around, look around and see if there’s some place that you can plug into to do something to make someone else’s struggles a little easier. I belong to a local Kiwanis club. Kiwanis is endeavoring to do some safe version of our annual event, “Breakfast with Santa.” This event has become a tradition here in Woodland, where a simple breakfast is served and little kids can come see Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera. Usually we have scout troops and Kiwanis children’s groups helping. We are not sure exactly how this will fly this year, but everyone wants to do this, “for the kids”.
Here’s a quick look at a placebo study. Ninety-seven patients with chronic lower back pain were given a fifteen-minute explanation of the placebo effect. These subjects were then split into two groups. Group A given was given “treatment as usual”, while Group B was given a bottle of pills labeled “Placebo - take two capsules twice daily.” Both groups were to continue with other regular medications, but not permitted to take opioids. At the end of a three-week period, the results were as follows.
Group B, the placebo group showed a thirty percent reduction in usual pain, a thirty percent reduction in maximum pain, and a twenty-nine percent drop in pain-related disability. At the end of the study, some asked for a refill, they thought the dummy pills “worked so well that it has to contain something.”
Group A, the ‘as usual’ group, showed only a nine percent reduction in usual pain, a sixteen percent reduction in maximum pain and almost no improvement in pain-related disability.
Here are a few more placebo study results. Nearly fifty percent of asthma patients get relief from a fake inhaler or sham acupuncture. Almost forty percent of people with headaches got relief from a placebo. Fifty percent of colitis patients felt better after a placebo treatment. More than fifty percent of patients with ulcer pain experienced relief with a placebo. As many as forty percent of infertility patients got pregnant while taking placebo fertility drugs. Placebos are nearly as effective as morphine at relieving pain.
PS - I am selling my Ceragem. Those who’ve been with me long enough might remember it is a therapy table that uses heated jade discs that move up and down the back as you lay on it, emitting infrared heat. It has several therapeutic effects. It works fine, but is taking up too much space and isn’t being utilized enough. Give us a call if you are interested.
Dr. Joe Dispenza has written a book, You Are The Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter. I haven’t read it yet, but here is some information quoted from that source. “Ninety-five percent of who you are by age thirty-five is a set of memorized behaviors, skills, emotional reactions, beliefs, perceptions and attitudes that function like a subconscious automatic computer. This makes up a powerful set of mental abilities, very much like habits. Though these are powerful in self-perpetuation, habits can be changed. It’s important to remember that we don’t have to be a slave to our every thought. With time, vigilance (and practice) we can learn to put a positive spin on negative thoughts. We can learn to tap into one of the most powerful resources we have, our mind, and it’s completely free.” Usually we won’t change unless something motivates it. In my office for example, I will give out stretches and exercises. Most of the time they help, but only if the patient does them. Like the mittens you own they won’t do their job unless you put them on. In this month of Thanksgiving, I am challenging you (and myself) to choose a positive attitude. Try to find humor where you can. Perform acts of kindness on a regular basis. This is a good way to help yourself as well as others around you.
When we are stressed and ruminate on negative thoughts, it manifests in our body as an increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, and elevated blood pressure. This works to raise cortisol and adrenalin levels, the stress hormones. This affects each of us differently. For example, some people’s digestion shuts down and they can’t eat. Other may start to do nervous eating and usually not healthy choices.
If we practice choosing positive thoughts, the opposite occurs. Your heart beats to a normal rhythm, you’re likely to take normal or deeper breaths, blood pressure relaxes and the body makes (and releases) things like endorphins, enkephalins, serotonin and dopamine, the “happy” hormones. These l help reduce pain, improve mood and provide a sense of calm.
There are a few of quotes on a poster in my office that I will print here. “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” “A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.” “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” You can’t un-think a thought, but you can counter bad thoughts with good thoughts and slowly reshape your reaction to what is happening to you.
When I am dealing with a really tough time, trying to figure out a positive statement to counter my negativity, I have used words from the author, Louise Hay. She has two books I rely on, Heal Your Body, and You Can Heal Your Life. Her books can seem too simplistic at times, but it has given me the breakthrough more often than I can count. I recommend her books.
The University of Minnesota website notes the work of Dr. Fredrickson, who has researched the physical and emotional benefits of positivity. These benefits include faster recovery from cardiovascular stress, fewer colds, better sleep and an improved sense of overall happiness. It’s a habit you can learn, and cultivate. It comes naturally for some people. Others (like myself) have to keep trying and practice it, like learning the words to a song.
In addition to this, I highly recommend making the effort to extend yourself to do acts of kindness, it can really change our mental attitude and general disposition. There is something so therapeutic in forgetting yourself long enough to do something kind for someone else that it will improve your own sense of wellbeing. The holiday season has arrived, and there are many charitable organizations in need of multiple resources so that they can provide help to people in need. Ask around, look around and see if there’s some place that you can plug into to do something to make someone else’s struggles a little easier. I belong to a local Kiwanis club. Kiwanis is endeavoring to do some safe version of our annual event, “Breakfast with Santa.” This event has become a tradition here in Woodland, where a simple breakfast is served and little kids can come see Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera. Usually we have scout troops and Kiwanis children’s groups helping. We are not sure exactly how this will fly this year, but everyone wants to do this, “for the kids”.
Here’s a quick look at a placebo study. Ninety-seven patients with chronic lower back pain were given a fifteen-minute explanation of the placebo effect. These subjects were then split into two groups. Group A given was given “treatment as usual”, while Group B was given a bottle of pills labeled “Placebo - take two capsules twice daily.” Both groups were to continue with other regular medications, but not permitted to take opioids. At the end of a three-week period, the results were as follows.
Group B, the placebo group showed a thirty percent reduction in usual pain, a thirty percent reduction in maximum pain, and a twenty-nine percent drop in pain-related disability. At the end of the study, some asked for a refill, they thought the dummy pills “worked so well that it has to contain something.”
Group A, the ‘as usual’ group, showed only a nine percent reduction in usual pain, a sixteen percent reduction in maximum pain and almost no improvement in pain-related disability.
Here are a few more placebo study results. Nearly fifty percent of asthma patients get relief from a fake inhaler or sham acupuncture. Almost forty percent of people with headaches got relief from a placebo. Fifty percent of colitis patients felt better after a placebo treatment. More than fifty percent of patients with ulcer pain experienced relief with a placebo. As many as forty percent of infertility patients got pregnant while taking placebo fertility drugs. Placebos are nearly as effective as morphine at relieving pain.
PS - I am selling my Ceragem. Those who’ve been with me long enough might remember it is a therapy table that uses heated jade discs that move up and down the back as you lay on it, emitting infrared heat. It has several therapeutic effects. It works fine, but is taking up too much space and isn’t being utilized enough. Give us a call if you are interested.