We want our brains to remain fully functioning until we’re 100. Right? But will that happen? What makes the difference in whether our brains stay healthy or not? Daniel Amen, MD has conducted over 70,000 brain scans and thus has some hard-won insight into what the pre-cursors might be to a less-than-optimally-functioning brain. Based on patterns found in these scans, he has formulated a number of theories relating to the brain and ADD, depression, and overeating, among other things. What is the single most important thing he has learned from looking at these 70,000 scans? Watch the short video below…

Could empathy have the power to heal? The link between stress and susceptibility to illness is fairly well established but what if you could start healing just by going to see your doctor? No pill. No x-rays. Just the experience of being heard and listened to. Now “power” is a strong word and I don’t want to overstate the case, but there is a study that suggests the way a practitioner approaches a client and the warmth of their relationship actually has something to do with healing. David P. Rackel, MD and other researchers at the University of Wisconsin looked…

If you read my last blog, you would have seen the video about Dance for PD®, an innovative program for people battling the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Dance for PD® is so effective because it allows participants to step out of the patients’ role and just move – creating beauty while engaging mind, body, and spirit. Friends and spouses of program participants enjoy taking these classes, too. The freedom of movement is something that many of us may take for granted. After seeing the video, I’m feeling much more mindful of the joy of moving. The video brought up five…

It’s funny how many people feel a pang of hesitation, reluctance, or even fear when they’re invited to dance. Who hasn’t heard someone say, when being pulled onto the floor, “oh no, I can’t dance!” I’ll admit, I leaned that way, too. I left the dancing to those with natural rhythm and “moves.” My view has changed, though, because I’ve realized how much dancing embodies what our NICABM community is about – the connection between the mind, the body, and the spirit. Others have realized this connection, too. I invite you to watch the brief video below, which will provide…

Take a minute and look around (or at least visualize) your office. Come on . . . give it a try. When I look around mine, I see a space painted in calming colors, with comfy chairs and a few tasteful Zen-inspired decorations. My credentials, there to inspire trust in my abilities, are hanging on the wall and soft, relaxing music is sometimes playing in the background. I imagine that many of you have similar surroundings. Now think about the last hospital that you were in. Was it a similar environment? When you think about your hospital, do you even…

Public health officials are forever debating the best way to distribute health information to the public. Doctors and other medical health professionals are surely a good source, but not all people see a physician. This issue has plagued public health officials, especially those who are concerned about the gap in health services offered to Black and Hispanic men vs. the general public. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), a 2009 health report showed that men are 80% less likely to have a usual source of health care compared to women. On top of this, Black…