|
PROVEN MIND/BODY MEDICINE
Scientific approaches provide hope for those suffering from chronic conditions
IN 1978, Richard Surwit, Ph.D., a psychologist at Duke University, received a phone call that changed the course of his career. An endocrinologist who was troubled by a difficult case wondered whether Surwit could help. Janice, a woman in her early 30s, suffered from severe complications from diabetes. Despite medical therapy and a strict diet, her blood sugar continued to rise. The worst complication was bleeding in her eyes that threatened her sight. However, the endocrinologist also noticed a disturbing pattern in Janice's life that, paradoxically, offered hope. Janice was under a lot of pressure in her personal and work lives, and her blood sugar would skyrocket whenever the pressures intensified.
That's why the endocrinologist called Surwit, who was using relaxation techniques to help people manage stress. Surwit, though, had never treated a patient with diabetes. Until then, all his patients had had heart disease. He was aware of studies linking stress and diabetes, so the approach seemed logical. But there was no precedent for what he was about to try.
At first, Surwit met with Janice in the hospital where she was being treated. He began training her in two techniques: progressive muscle relaxation, in which she would alternately tense and relax muscles throughout her body; and biofeedback, in which electronic monitoring devices assisted in guiding her into deeper levels of relaxation. After one week's treatment, Janice's blood sugar levels dropped, her physical condition stabilized, and she was released from the hospital. Surwit worked with her for another month to refine her stress-reducing skills. She continued to improve. Her blood sugar levels remained stable, and the danger of blindness was greatly reduced.
BY HENRY DREHER
86 NATURAL HEALTH-MAY/JUNE 1993 |
