A Better Litmus Test for Healthcare Reform
David Leonhardt’s “prostate cancer test” (The New York Times, July 8, 2009) is a good but incomplete one for healthcare reform.
In addition to removing financial incentives for high tech intervention, we need to educate clinicians in the impartial, critical analysis of all therapeutic options, and in supporting their patients as they act on the choices they make. For 10 years, The Center for Mind-Body Medicine has trained health professionals and patient advocates to do precisely this, as “CancerGuides®.”
We need as well to realize that expensive, Draconian treatment and “watchful waiting” are not our only choices. There is, as Dean Ornish is showing with peer-reviewed studies on prostate cancer - and a number of us are doing with heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, depression and post traumatic stress disorder – a far more promising third way. It is grounded in techniques of self-care – dietary modification, physical exercise, and mind-body approaches like meditation and yoga – and in group education and support.
This approach holds great promise for treating and preventing chronic illness of all kinds and for saving large sums of money. It should be central to healthcare reform.
A shortened version of this was published in the New York Times online Letters section on July 21, 2009.
Free Webinar Lesson 4: Other Useful Techniques and Advice for Participants
Title: Free Webinar Lesson 4: Other Useful Techniques and Advice for Participants
Location: http://www.mblwellness.com/unstuck
Description: The last free webinar in a four-part series, “A Natural Approach to Treating Depression,” Dr. Gordon offers more resources and guidelines to help you on your journey.
Lesson 4: Other Useful Techniques and Advice for Participants
Key lessons: Dr. Gordon discusses a variety of other techniques that are effective in treating depression; he provides some final advice and words of encouragement for participants.
Download pack still available at www.mblwellness.com!
Start Time: 8:30pm EST
Date: November 24, 2008
Free Webinar Lesson 3: Exercise and Movement
Title: Free Webinar Lesson 3: Exercise and Movement
Location: http://www.mblwellness.com/unstuck
Description: The third free webinar in a 4-part series; tune in to hear Dr. James Gordon discuss the mental and physical benefits of exercise, and offer some easy guidelines for getting started.
Lesson 3: Exercise and Movement
Key Lessons: Physical exercise can significantly improve mood; Dr. Gordon provides advice on how to start an exercise program; Dr. Gordon shows a movement technique he has taught around the world.
The free download pack available at www.mblwellness.com includes MP3 relaxation exercises and guides to meditation!!
Start Time: 06:30:00 pm EST (note time change)
Date: November 22, 2008
Free Webinar Lesson 2: Relaxation/Stress Management
Title: Free Webinar Lesson 2–Relaxation/Stress Management
Location: http://www.mblwellness.com/unstuck
Description: The second free webinar in a 4-part series, Dr. Gordon discusses relaxation and stress reduction techniques and exercises in handy video form.
Lesson 2: Relaxation/Stress Management
Key lessons: Stress and depression are connected; simple relaxation exercises can help with the symptoms of depression; Dr. Gordon teaches a relaxation exercise. (The Unstuck pack contains useful tools for this lesson.)
Don’t forget to download the free Unstuck resource pack at www.mblwellness.com!
Start Time: 8:30pm EST
Date: November 20, 2008
