Research-generated insights have led to the understanding of IBS as a disorder of brain-gut regulation. The experience of symptoms derives from dysregulation of the bidirectional communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, mediated by neuroendocrine and immunological factors and modulated by psychosocial factors. The biopsychosocial model integrates the various physical and psychosocial factors that contribute to the patient's illness. This model and the recently revised symptom-based criteria (i.e. the "Rome II criteria") form the basis for establishing a comprehensive and effective approach for the diagnosis and management of the disorder.

This site offers up-to-date information on functional GI and motility disorders for both the professional and the patient, and provides information on the Center and its research, training, and clinical treatment opportunities. It is co-directed by Douglas A Drossman, MD and William E. Whitehead, Ph.D, who are leading authorities in the field of functional gastrointestinal syndromes.

Harvard’s Benson explores the intersection between objective science and the mystifying power of the human spirit. He shows how affirming beliefs, particularly belief in a higher power, makes a critical contribution to our physical health. One of his messages is that our bodies are "wired for God."

Harvard trained Elliott Dacher, MD presents a very sophisticated concept of four healing systems: homeostatic, mind-body, treatment, and spiritual. He emphasizes our power and potential to heal and provides practical approaches to healing.

Harvard trained Elliott Dacher, MD presents a very sophisticated concept of four healing systems: homeostatic, mind-body, treatment, and spiritual. He emphasizes our power and potential to heal and provides practical approaches to healing.

This 22 page monograph is an excellent overview of the emerging scientific understanding of the neurobiologic basis of mind body medicine. It can be ordered for $5.00 from IFFG by calling toll free at 1-888-964-2001 or by clicking here.

Dr. Sarno, Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center, has appeared on Larry King live and the television show, 20:20. He discusses the primary role that emotions play in illness and emphasizes that the mind and body are one, inextricably linked. His inspirational message is that we are stronger than we know and have more power over our body than we may realize.

Harvard’s Benson explores the intersection between objective science and the mystifying power of the human spirit. He shows how affirming beliefs, particularly belief in a higher power, makes a critical contribution to our physical health. One of his messages is that our bodies are wired for God. This is probably the best place to begin exploration of MindBodySpirit Medicine.

In 1993, Larry Dossey, MD, one of the pioneers of mind body medicine, changed our understanding of the healing process with his New York Times bestseller, Healing Words. Reinventing Medicine is a vision of the future of the practice of medicine that includes the scientific and medical evidence that the spiritual dimension works in healing.

What effect does religion have on physical and mental health? In answering this question, this book reviews and discusses research on the relationship between religion and a variety of mental and physical health outcomes, including depression and anxiety; heart disease, stroke, and cancer; and health related behaviors such as smoking and substance abuse. The authors examine the positive and negative effects of religion on health throughout the life span, from childhood to old age. Based on their findings, they build theoretical models illustrating the behavioral, psychological, social, and physiological pathways through which religion may influence health. The authors also review research on the impact of religious affiliation, belief, and practice on the use of health services and compliance with medical treatment. In conclusion, they discuss the clinical relevance of their findings and make recommendations for future research priorities. Offering the first comprehensive examination of its topic, this volume is an indispensable resource for research scientists, health professionals, public policy makers, and anyone interested in the relationship between religion and health.

The purpose of the Center is to conduct research that explores the effects of religious/ spiritual beliefs and practices on physical and mental health. This is an exciting new area of scientific inquiry, rapidly increasing in scope and depth.

Dr. Brody is a professor of family practice and philosophy and director of the Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences at Michigan State University. This is an excellent book on MindBody healing, and particularly about meaning, or the way we interpret and make sense of events.

This landmark review of the human stress literature in the world’s most prestigious medical journal explains the key concept of the protective and damaging effects of the response of the MindBodySpirit Connection to stress. There are many mechanisms, but among the most prominent are the manifestations of physiological stress responses as a result of living and working conditions, inter-personal conflict, as well as the sense of control of one’s environment and optimism/pessimism toward the future. "Allostatic load" refers to the cost of adaptation to a stressful environment, which elicits repeated and sometimes prolonged adaptive responses ("allostasis") that preserve homeostasis in the short run but can cause wear- and-tear on the body and brain. Functional symptoms and syndromes, decreased cognitive function during aging as well as abdominal obesity and increased risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, insulin-dependent diabetes and decreased immune responses are all manifestations of allostatic load.

We have powerful ways of modulating the harmful output of the stress response systems that include belief systems and behaviors. An important quote attributed to Dr. McEwen is, "We must also remember that the biggest problems for the human race in the future are those associated with our own behavior and misbehavior and the impact of the social and physical environment on our bodies and brains."

This book provides a lucid discussion of the emotional stress response systems of the MindBodySpirit Connection. A very important observation made by Joseph LeDoux, a neuroscientist at New York University, is that the expression of stress and emotion in the body is not necessarily accompanied by cognitive and conscious awareness of anxiety or of fear. In other words, when stress triggers an emotional fear response expressed in the digestive tract as pain, cramping, and disturbances of bowel function, or in the muscles as pain and discomfort, the gastrointestinal and bodily distress may or may not be accompanied by a mental sense of fear or of anxiety. This makes it easier to understand how depression can be associated with many different bodily symptoms, and how these bodily symptoms may not be associated with much if any sadness or depression of mood. Dr. LeDoux’s website is www.cns.nyu.edu/home/ledoux/.

The bi-directional communication between limbic regions and the viscera play a central role in the generation and expression of emotional responses and associated emotional feelings. The response of different viscera to distinct, emotion-specific patterns of autonomic output is fed back to the brain, in particular to the cingulofrontal convergence region. Even though this process unfolds largely without conscious awareness, it plays an important role in emotional function and may influence rational decision making in the healthy individual. Alterations in this bi-directional process such as peripheral pathologies within the gut or alterations at the brain level may explain the close association between certain affective disorders and functional visceral syndromes.

Dr. Sarno, Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center, has appeared on Larry King live and the television show, 20:20. He discusses the primary role that emotions play in illness and emphasizes that the mind and body are one, inextricably linked. His inspirational message is that we are stronger than we know and have more power over our body than we may realize.

In response to perceived or experienced change that is considered threatening to the individual, the central nervous system mounts a stereotypic response that decreases the sensitivity to pain, modulates the autonomic nervous system outflow, and activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This response of the "emotional motor system" may or may not be associated with the conscious experience of feelings of fear or anxiety. Alterations in these response systems (either up- or downregulation) may produce symptoms, such as viscero-somatic hypersensitivity, altered bowel habits, or increased anxiety.

A multidisciplinary program dedicated to the practice, teaching and science of mind, brain and body interactions and women's health.

Patients with unexplained chronic pain and/or fatigue have been described for centuries in the medical literature, although the terms used to describe these symptom complexes have changed frequently. The currently preferred terms for these syndromes are fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, names which describe the prominent clinical features of the illness without any attempt to identify the cause. This review delineates the definitions of these syndromes, and the overlapping clinical features. A hypothesis is presented to demonstrate how genetic and environmental factors may interact to cause the development of these syndromes, which we postulate are caused by central nervous system dysfunction. Various components of the central nervous system appear to be involved, including the hypothalamic pituitary axes, pain-processing pathways, and autonomic nervous system. These central nervous system changes lead to corresponding changes in immune function, which we postulate are epiphenomena rather than the cause of the illnesses.