, might also be physiological in that they may protect the body from the negative effects of stress hormone norepinephrine. In addition, experience shows that relaxation techniques can help patients enormously. "Medicine is a three-legged stool," says Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School (Epiro and Walsh). "One leg is pharmaceuticals, the other is surgery, and the third is what people can do for themselves. Mind-body work is an essential part of that." In addition to preventing or curing illnesses, these therapies provide people the chance to be involved in their own care, to make vital decisions about their own health, to be touched emotionally, and to be changed psychologically in the process. Many patients today believe their doctor or medical system is too technical, impersonal, remote, and uncaring. The mind-body approach is potentially a corrective to this tendency, a reminder of the importance of human connection that opens up the power of patients acting on their own behalf.HomeopathyHomeopathy, despite the American Medical Association's characterization of it as a pseudo science, is a popular alternative that is drawing increased attention. Founded in the eighteenth century by German physician Samuel Hahnemann, it is based on the idea that "like cures like" (Kees); that micro-doses of substances, known in large amounts to cause illness, can treat that illness by stimulating the body's own natural defenses and curative powers. In some respects, treatment with homeopathic medicines, nontoxic compounds derived from plants, animals and minerals, is akin to immunization or allergy treatments in which similar substances are introduced into the body to bolster immunity.A substantial number of American doctors--among them Wayne Jonas, a family practitioner who is director of the National Institutes of Health's Office of Alternative Medicine--have been trained in homeopathy, as have countless nurses, veterinarians, chiro...
