Mary Ellen Copeland, MS, MA

Self Help Strategies for Dealing with Depression, Manic Depression and other Psychiatric Disorders

Thank you for visiting my site and welcome.

A little about me: I'm a researcher and author. My works and my site are a compilation of information to help others identify, live with and manage depression and manic depression.

Besides my books on depression and mental wellness (you can read the first chapter of several books on this site), I've written some articles addressing various aspects of living with and recovering from depression and manic depression. I hope you find these helpful, along with the depression quiz to assist you in determining if you're suffering from depression.

Another useful item is the crisis plan and post-crisis plan. It's your plan for coping when things seem psychologically out-of-control and for dealing with life when you're on the mend. And if you're interested in my Mental Health Recovery seminars, please check out this link.

Contents:

• About Mary Ellen Copeland
• The Purpose of the Mental Health Recovery Website
• Suicide: Not a Good Idea
• Coming Out Of The Mire
• What Recovery Means To Us: Getting Past Learned Hopelessness
• Developing a Wellness Toolbox
• A Depression Recovery Story
• Join a Support Group!
• Starting an Exercise Program
• Publications: Books, Videos and Audio Tapes on Depression and Manic Depression
• Are You Lonely?
• Blueprints for Building Self-Esteem
• Dealing with Trauma: 5 Beginning Steps
• Developing Your Post-Crisis Plan
• Getting Well From Depression and Manic Depression
• Guide to Developing A WRAP - Wellness Recovery Action Plan
• Post-Crisis Planning For After Your Psychiatric Crisis
• Crisis Plan for a Psychiatric Emergency
• Recovering Your Mental Health: A Self Help Guide
• Taking Back Control of Your Life
• You May Be Depressed! What Do You Do Now?

next: About Mary Ellen Copeland
~ depression library articles
~ all articles on depression

Thoughtful quotes about body, emotional and physical health and healing.

Words of Wisdom

"It doesn't matter what the disease is. There is always room for hope. I'm not going to die because of statistics. I hope you won't either." (Bernie Seigel)

"The body has its own way of knowing, a knowing that has little to do with logic, and much to do with truth, little to do with control, and much to do with acceptance, little to do with division and analysis, and much to do with union." (Marilyn Sewell)

"Healing is simply attempting to do more of those things that bring joy and fewer of those things that bring pain." (O Carl Simonton)

"It is possible that the scream comes from the forsaken body, the scream that manifests in a symptom is the cry of the soul that can find no other way to be heard. If we have lived behind a mask all of our lives, sooner or later -- if we are lucky -- that mask will be smashed." (Marion Woodman)

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs)

"...the body is a landscape of truth-telling." (Linda Hogan)

"If any thing is sacred the human body is sacred." (Walt Whitman)

"People, and even animals, who believe that their actions have no effect on the outcome of a situation, that they have no control over their world, are more prone to illness." (Mike and Nancy Samuels)

"The question you must ask yourself is not if you will heal but how you will heal." (Ken Nerburn)

"Happiness lies in the fulfillment of the spirit through the body." (Cyril Connoly)

"...no part of the body lives apart from the rest." (Deepak Chopra, Perfect Health)

"The last place we tend to look for healing is within ourselves." (Wayne Muller)

"How sickness enlarges the dimensions of a man's self to himself." (Charles Lamb)

"The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well." (Hippocrates)

"Wellness starts here, with the recognition that your body is wise, your mind is wise, and your soul is wise." (Regina Sara Ryan and John W. Travis)

"Healing is not something we only do when we are sick; it is part of the process and journey of life." (Ted Kaptchuck)

next:Change

All online videos in the HealthyPlace.com Alternative Health Community are listed here. You can click on the "title" link to listen to any audio piece. You should have both the windows media player and realone player downloaded onto your computer as some files are in the windows format and others in the real format.

1. Is Spirituality Good for Your Health?
   Dr. Anne Harrington offers the historical interrelationship between spirituality and health and enticed some critical scrutiny of the varied questions and challenges they raise. Oct/2005
2. Stress, Individual Differences, and the Social Environment
   Dr. Bruce McEwen discusses the important role that the endocrine and nervous systems play in the communication between the brain and the rest of the body and how common, low levels of stress over time, such as stress caused by the events of everyday life, can affect health. Dr. McEwen also discusses the impact of stress on the immune system and regions of the brain involved in fear and cognitive function. Mar/2004
3. Complementary and Alternative Medicine: From Promises to Proof
   Arthritis, depression, menopause, cancer--for millions of Americans, these and other health concerns are not being adequately addressed through conventional medicine. Many are turning outside the medical mainstream to approaches that embrace the whole person--mind, body and spirit. In fact, Americans spend more money for complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, than for all other health care needs. From acupuncture to massage therapy to dietary supplements, CAM approaches are affordable and accessible, but largely untested. NCCAM's Director, Dr. Stephen Straus, discussed current research on which CAM practices work, why and how they work and whether they are safe. Oct/2003

MORE VIDEOS: http://nccam.nih.gov/videolectures/

back to: Alternative Medicine Home

Chapter 37 of the book Self-Help Stuff That Works

by Adam Khan

IN AN EXPERIMENT at the University of Georgia, students were asked to remember a pleasant outdoor experience they'd had recently. Afterwards, they filled out a questionnaire rating their feelings of tension, relaxation and alertness.

Later the students experienced meditation by listening to recorded instructions with their eyes closed. Again, afterwards they filled out the questionnaire.

The verdict? Recalling a pleasant memory improved their concentration and lessened their anxiety better than meditation!

And recalling pleasant memories strengthens those memories. It makes those memories more real and easier to recall. Every event you experience in your life makes a pathway in your brain a pattern of connections between neurons. But the pathway is weak. If you never recall that event again, your memory of it becomes weaker as time goes on until it becomes almost impossible to remember what happened, even if the experience was emotionally significant.

Some people are unhappy only because they don't remember the good times. Researchers find that depressed people have as many nice experiences as everyone else, but they don't remember them as well. They've gotten into the habit of reminiscing about the negative experiences, so those seem numerous and vivid, and they let all the positive experiences fade into the past. So it seems to them that life is tragic and filled with loss and misery.

Make it a point to recall your good times. Think about them now and then. Reminisce with your spouse or a friend or one of your children. Reminisce in letters to friends and relatives. They want to hear about your good times, anyway - especially recent good times - so let yourself go. Writing about them will strengthen your memories. When you look back on your life, it'll be easier to see the beauty of it, and your life in the present will feel richer.

Think back over the last couple of weeks and try to recall the small pleasures: the tiny victories, the little moments of kindness and love, the gentle feelings of satisfaction. Feel free to recall the big ones too, but you have a lot more small ones, and you'll probably be surprised to realize how many you have.

Reminisce about special times of your life: moments of love, of awakening, of turning points, of great insight. Remember the events that help give life meaning. Remember the times that have shaped your life, or that you want to shape your life. You have had special moments when you saw how wonderful life could be or when you gained some unusual insight. If nothing more is done with those, the memory of them and the power of the insights can fade. Remember those moments. Remember what they meant. Remember what they could mean and your memory will help make it so.

Reminisce about the good times and the special times. Strengthen those memories. Store them up. They are your true riches.

Reminisce about the best times.

Would you like to stand as a pillar of strength during difficult times? There is a way. It takes some discipline but it is very simple.
Pillar of Strength

When a close friend of yours or your spouse is disturbed by something, and you want to help them, what do you do? What actually helps? Find out here:
A Friend in Deed

When Steven Callahan was struggling to survive during his seventy-six days on a life raft, what did he do with his mind that gave him the strength to continue? Read about it here:
Adrift

next: Adventure

We would like to thank Gina Pera for sending us the following article

The Impact of ADHD on Marriage by Arthur L. Robin, Ph.D. and Eleanor Payson, A.C.S.W

Click Here

next: Top Coping Strategies For Teenagers and Adults With ADHD
~ back to adders.org homepage
~ adhd library articles
~ all add/adhd articles

Six key concepts for an effective recovery from a mood disorder like bipolar disorder or depression.

1. Hope - With good symptom management, it is possible to experience long periods of wellness. Believing that you can cope with your mood disorder is both accurate and essential to recovery.
2. Perspective - Depression and manic-depression often follow cyclical patterns. Although you may go through some painful times and it may be difficult to believe things will get better, it is important not to give up hope.
3. Personal Responsibility - It's up to you to take action to keep your moods stabilized. This includes asking for help from others when you need it, taking your medication as prescribed and keeping appointments with your health care providers.
4. Self Advocacy - Become and effective advocate for yourself so you can get the services and treatment you need, and make the life you want for yourself.
5. Education - Learn all you can about your illness. This allows you to make informed decisions about all aspects of your life and treatment.
6. Support - Working toward wellness is up to you. However, support from others is essential to maintaining your stability and enhancing the quality of your life.

Source:

• Depression Bipolar Support Alliance

next: Learning to Cope With Bipolar Disorder
~ bipolar disorder library
~ all bipolar disorder articles

There's no scientific evidence that ozone therapy helps any mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's disease. Learn more about ozone therapy.

Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about whether practitioners are required to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization's standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.

• Background
• Theory
• Evidence
• Unproven Uses
• Potential Dangers
• Summary
• Resources

Background

Ozone is present high in the earth's atmosphere and absorbs solar radiation. Ozone molecules are composed of three oxygen atoms.

Ozone therapy involves adding ozone to air or liquids and introducing them into the body by various means. It has been used to treat medical conditions since the late 19th century. However, there has been little scientific study of ozone therapy, and it is not known if it is safe or effective.

Theory

Ozone therapists suggest that ozone may have health benefits beyond that of oxygen.

Ozone may be mixed with water and taken by mouth or introduced into a body cavity such as the rectum or vagina. Autohemotherapy, another type of ozone therapy, is a technique in which blood is withdrawn through a vein, mixed with ozone gas and then injected back into a vein or muscle. Water enriched with ozone has been injected into joints to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Ozone or hydrogen peroxide may be injected. Blood may be withdrawn, enriched with ozone, treated with ultraviolet B radiation in a quartz container and then re-injected into the body.

Ozone-enriched water or vegetable oil has been applied to the skin to treat wounds, burns, infections and insect bites.

Ozone bagging is a technique in which the body (except for the head) is submerged for up to two hours in a bag containing ozone. Ozone insufflation involves blowing ozone gas into body orifices such as the ear, colon or vagina. It is theorized that ozone air purification may sterilize or "rejuvenate" room air. Cupping is a technique that concentrates ozone over a particular area of the body. Ozone saunas and ozone-infused drinking water are also commercially available.

Evidence

Scientists have studied ozone therapy for the following health problems:

Cardiovascular disease
There is a small study using ozone therapy (specifically autohemotherapy) in patients with a history of heart attack, reporting a decrease in levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein ("bad" cholesterol). However, this study was not well designed. Further scientific research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn.

HIV
Laboratory studies show that HIV may be sensitive to ozone, but high-quality studies in humans are lacking. One study measured the safety and effectiveness of ozone-treated blood in HIV and immune disease. Ozone therapy did not show benefits.

Unproven Uses

Ozone therapy has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially life-threatening. Consult with a health care provider before using ozone therapy for any use.

Potential Dangers

Ozone therapy has not been proven safe by scientific studies. Shortness of breath, blood vessel swelling, poor circulation, heart problems or stroke may occur. Autohemotherapy, a type of ozone therapy, has been associated with transmission of viral hepatitis and with a case of dangerously lowered blood cell counts. Make sure that sterile needles are used for any medical procedure.

Blowing ozone into the ear (insufflation) may damage the eardrum, and blowing ozone into the colon may increase the risk of bowel rupture. There is one case of a patient with HIV having psychotic hallucinations while receiving ozone therapy, although the cause was not clear. Ozone therapy should not be used alone to treat potentially dangerous medical conditions.

Summary

Ozone therapy has been recommended to treat many conditions. There are numerous anecdotes about successful treatment with ozone therapy, although effectiveness and safety have not been proven scientifically.

The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.

Resources

1. Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
2. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research

Selected Scientific Studies: Ozone Therapy

Natural Standard reviewed more than 135 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created.

Some of the more recent studies are listed below:

1. Andreula CF, Simonetti L, De Santis F, et al. Minimally invasive oxygen-ozone therapy for lumbar disk herniation. American Journal of Neuroraiology 2003;24(5):996-1000.
2. Basabe E. Ozone therapy a favoring element in the rehabilitation of children with hearing loss. Proceedings, Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association, Lille, France, 1995:275.
3. Bocci VA. A reasonable approach for the treatment of HIV infection in the early phase with ozonotherapy (autohaemotherapy): how inflammatory cytokines may have a therapeutic rule. Mediat Inflammation 1994;3:315-321.
4. Bocci V, Paulesu L. Studies on the biological effects of ozone 1: induction of interferon gamma on human leucocytes. Haematologica 1990;75(6):510-515.
5. Bocci V. Autohaemotherapy after treatment of blood with ozone: a reappraisal. J Int Med Res 1994;22(3):131-144.

1. Bonetti M, Albertini F, Valdenassi L, et al. [Oxygen-ozone therapy in the treatment of lumbar disk-root compression]. Rivista Neuroradiologia 2001;14(Suppl 3):297-304.
2. Bonetti M, Cotticelli B, Albertini F, et al. Percutaneous paravertebral ozone therapy. Rivista di Neuroradiologia 2002;15(4):415-419.
3. Carpendale MT, Griffiss J. Is there a role for medical ozone in the treatment of HIV and associated infections? [abstract]. Proceedings, Eleventh Ozone World Congress, San Francisco, CA, 1993.
4. Carpendale MT, Freeberg JK. Ozone inactivates HIV at noncytotoxic concentrations. Antiviral Res 1991;16(3):281-292.
5. Carpendale MT, Freeberg J, Griffiss JM. Does ozone alleviate AIDS diarrhea? J Clin Gastroenterol 1993;17(2):142-145.
6. Clavo B, Perez JL, Lopez L, et al. Effect of ozone therapy on muscle oxygenation. J Altern Compl 2003;9(2):251-256.
7. Colombo R, D'Angelo F, Vaghi M, et al. [Local treatment of chronic venous ulcers with ozone therapy]. Impegno Ospedaliero, Sezione Scientifica 2002;1-2(31):33.
8. Coppola L, Verrazzo G, Giunta R, et al. Oxygen/ozone therapy and haemorheological parameters in peripheral chronic arterial occlusive disease. Thromb Arterioscler 1992;8:83-90.
9. Dalla Volta G, Troianiello B, Griffini S, et al. [Telethermographic assessment of the efficacy of oxygen-ozone therapy in disc-root compression]. Rivista di Neuroradiologia 2001;14(Suppl 1):103-107.
10. Di Mauro G, Matera D, Di Mauro A, et al. Oxygen-ozone therapy and amitriptyline in disc diseases and herniated intervertebral discs. Rivista di Neuroradiologia 2001;14(Suppl 1):93-95.
11. Fabris G, Tommasini G, Petralia B, et al. [Intraforaminal oxygen-ozone therapy]. Rivista di Neuroradiologia 2001;14(1):61-66.
12. Fillippi A. Ozone in oral surgery: current status and prospects. Proceedings, Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association, Lille, France, 1995:169.
13. Frankum B, Katelaris CH. Ozone therapy in AIDS: truly innocuous? Med J Aust 1993;159(7):493.
14. Franzini M, Bignamini A, Micheletti P, et al. Subcutaneous oxygen-ozone therapy in indurative hypodermatitis and in localised lipodystrophies: a clinical study of efficacy and tolerability. Acta Toxicologica et Therapeutica 1993;14(4):273-288.
15. Gabriel C, Blauhut B, Greul R, et al. Transmission of hepatitis C by ozone enrichment of autologous blood. Lancet 1996;347(9000):541.
16. Garber GE, Cameron DW, Hawley-Foss N, et al. The use of ozone-treated blood in the therapy of HIV infection and immune disease: a pilot study of safety and efficacy. AIDS 1991;5(8):981-984.
17. Gjonovich A, Sattin GF, Girotto L, et al. [Resistant lumbar pain: oxygen-ozone therapy compared with other methods]. Rivista di Neuroradiologia 2001;14(Suppl 1):35-38.
18. Gomez M. Ozone therapy in the functional recovery from diseases involving damage to central nervous system cells. Proceedings, Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association, Lille, France, 1995:111.
19. Hernandez F, Menendez S, Wong R. Decrease of blood cholesterol and stimulation of antioxidative response in cardiopathy patients treated with endovenous ozone therapy. Free Radic Biol Med 1995;19(1):115-119.
20. Hooker MH, Gazzard BG. Ozone-treated blood in the treatment of HIV infection. AIDS 1992;6(1):131.
21. Hsu OK. Ozone may inactivate HIV by reducing p120-CD4 binding affinity, lysing the HIV lipid envelope, and oxidizing the HIV core. International Bio-oxidative Medicine Foundation's 5th Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX, 1994.
22. Kawalski H, Sondej J, Cierpiol-Tracz E. The use of ozonotherapy in the nose correction operations. Acta Chir Plast 1992;34(3):182-184.
23. Kudriavtsev EP, Miroshin SI, Semenov SV, et al. [Ozone therapy of diffuse peritonitis in the early postoperative period]. Khirurgiia (Mosk) 1997;(3):36-41.
24. Kulikov AG, Turova EA, Shcherbina Tm, Kisileva OM. [Efficacy of different methods of ozone therapy in vascular complications of diabetes mellitus]. Voprosy Kurortologii, Fizioterapii I Lecheboi Fizicheskoi Kultury 2002;(5):17-20.
25. Marchetti D, La Monaca G. An unexpected death during oxygen-ozone therapy. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2000;21(2):144-147.
26. Mayer C, Soyka M, Naber D. [Paranoid hallucinatory psychoses in an HIV infected patient on ozone therapy]. Nervenarzt 1991;62(3):194-197.
27. McCabe E. Point of view: a case for ozone therapy. AIDS Patient Care Magazine 1992;6:6.
28. Menendez O. Application of ozone therapy in children with humoral immunity deficiency. Proceedings, Ozone in Medicine:Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association, Lille, France, 1995: 271.
29. Menendez S. Application of ozonized oil in the treatment of infantile giardiasis. Proceedings, Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association, Lille, France, 1995:297.
30. Menendez S. Application of ozonized oil in the treatment of vulvovaginitis preliminary study. Proceedings, Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association, Lille, France, 1995:283.
31. Menendez S, Ferrer L, Perez Z. Ozone therapy and magneto therapy: new methods for the rehabilitation of patients with simple chronic glaucoma. Proceedings, Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association, Lille, France, 1995:99.
32. Muminov AI, Khushvakova N Zh. Ozone therapy in patients with chronic purulent frontal sinusitis. Vestnik Otorinolaringologii 2002;46.
33. Neroev VV, Zueva MV, Tsapenko IV, et al. [Effects of ozone therapy on the functional activity of the retinal in patients with involutional central chorioretinal dystrophy]. Vestn Oftalmol 2003;119(6):18-21.
34. Ozmen V, Thomas WO, Healy JT, et al. Irrigation of the abdominal cavity in the treatment of experimentally induced microbial peritonitis: efficacy of ozonated saline. Am Surg 1993;59(5):297-303.
35. Parkhisenko IuA, Bil'chenko SV. [The ozone therapy in patients with mechanical jaundice of tumorous genesis]. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek 2003;162(5):85-87. P
36. aulesu L, Luzzi E, Bocci V. Studies on the biological effects of ozone: 2. Induction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) on human leucocytes. Lymphokine Cytokine Res 1991;10(5):409-412.
37. Pawlak-Osinska K, Kazmierczak H, Kazmierczak W, et al. Ozone therapy and pressure-pulse therapy in Ménière's disease. Int Tinnitus J 2004;10(1):54-57.
38. Petralia B, Tommasini G, Lavaroni A, et al. [Back ache treated by ozone therapy]. Rivista di Neuroradiologia 2001;14(Suppl 1):71-73.
39. Rickard GD, Richardson R, Johnson T, et al. Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;(3):CD004153.
40. Riva Sanseverino E. Knee-joint disorders treated by oxygen-ozone therapy. Europa Medicophysica 1989;25(3):163-170.
41. Rodriguez Acosta M, Cespedes Valcarcel A, Tula Suarez L, et al. [Ozone therapy in the management of the optic neuritis epidemic: benefits or risks]. Revista Cubana de Oftalmologia 1994;7(1/2):39-51.
42. Romeo A, Cirillo F. [Kinesiatrics and oxygen-ozone therapy for lumbosacral disc-root compression]. Rivista Neuroradiologia 2001;14(Suppl 1):47-49.
43. Romero VA, Blanco GR, Menendez CS, et al. [Arteriosclerosis obliterans and ozone therapy. Its administration by different routes]. Angiologia 1993;45(5):177-179.
44. Romero VA, Menendez CS, Gomez MM, et al. [Ozone therapy in the advanced stages of arteriosclerosis obliterans]. Angiologia 1993;45(4):146-148.
45. Sanseverino ER. Intensive medical and physical treatment of osteoporosis with the aid of oxygen-ozone therapy. Europa Medicophysica 1988;24(4):199-196.
46. Scarchilli A. [Three-year follow-up in the treatment of lumbar pain and sciatica with intradiscal ozone therapy]. Rivista Neuroradiologia 2001;14(1):39-41.
47. Sroczynski J, Antoszewski Z, Matyszczyk B, et al. [Clinical assessment of treatment results for atherosclerotic ischemia of the lower extremities with intraarterial ozone injections]. Pol Tyg Lek 1992;47(42-43):964-966.
48. Tabaracci G. [Ozone therapy by "classic" paraspinal intramuscular injection]. Rivista Neuroradiologia 2001;141(Suppl 1):67-70.
49. Tafil-Klawe M, Wozniak A, Drewa T, et al. Ozone therapy and the activity of selected lysosomal enzymes in blood serum of patients with lower limb ischemia associated with obliterative atheromtosis. Medical Science Monitor 2002;8(7):CR520-CR525.
50. Verrazzo G, Coppola L, Luongo C, et al. Hyperbaric oxygen, oxygen-ozone therapy, and rheologic parameters of blood in patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease. Undersea Hyperb Med 1995;22(1):17-22.
51. Wasser G. Additional therapy of cerebrovascular disorder (acute brain stroke) by ozone therapy. Proceedings, Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association, Lille, France, 1995:91.
52. Wells KH, Latino J, Gavalchin J, Poiesz BJ. Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by ozone in vitro. Blood 1991;78(7):1882-1890.
53. Wolfstadter HD, Sacher J, Hopfenmuller W, et al. Retrospective benefit following individualized naturopathic therapy in HIV-patients at different stages [abstract]. Int Conf AIDS 1992;8(3):147.
54. Wong R. Ozone therapy in ischemic cardiopathy. Proceedings, Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association, Lille, France, 1995:73.

back to: Alternative Medicine Home ~ Alternative Medicine Treatments

There is scientific evidence that osteopathic medicine is beneficial for low back pain and other neuromusculoskeletal problems. Learn more about osteopathic medicine.

Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about whether practitioners are required to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization's standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.

• Background
• Theory
• Evidence
• Unproven Uses
• Potential Dangers
• Summary
• Resources

Background

Andrew Taylor Still, who was originally trained as a doctor of medicine, founded the discipline of what is now known as osteopathic medicine in 1874. Dr. Still started the first college of osteopathic medicine in 1892 in Kirksville, Missouri. He sought an holistic approach to treating illness and promoting health by enhancing the body's natural healing powers. His approach emphasized the relationship between body structure and function, and it aimed to focus on the whole patient (mind, body and soul), rather than on symptoms.

Today, osteopathic medicine in the United States combines conventional medical practices with osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy and education about healthful posture and body positioning. With osteopathic manipulation, osteopathic physicians use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to administer manual treatments. Doctors of osteopathic medicine receive similar training as doctors of medicine (MD's), with additional training in osteopathic and holistic medicine. Osteopathic physicians perform all aspects of medicine, surgery and emergency medicine, and they can prescribe drugs. Many doctors of osteopathic medicine belong to the American Medical Association, as well as to the American Osteopathic Association. Osteopathic medicine is sometimes confused with chiropractic, as both use spinal manipulation to treat patients.

Osteopathic physicians often focus on the neuromusculoskeletal system and perform manipulations to treat a wide range of problems. Doctors of osteopathic medicine are trained to evaluate the body by taking a patient's health history, focusing not only on health problems but on lifestyle issues as well. The practice of osteopathic medicine may involve massage, mobilization and spinal manipulation. Osteopathic physicians traditionally believe that the primary role of the health care provider is to facilitate the body's inherent ability to heal itself, that the structure and function of the body are closely related and that problems in one organ affect other parts of the body. The traditional osteopathic view is that perfect alignment of the musculoskeletal system eliminates obstructions in blood and lymphatic flow, which in turn maximizes health. To ensure perfect alignment, a range of manipulative techniques have been developed. Examples include high-velocity thrusts, myofascial (muscle tissue) release, muscle energy techniques, counter strain, craniosacral therapies and lymphatic drainage stimulation.

Theory

Dr. Still believed that the continuum between health and illness was primarily influenced by the soundness and mechanical functioning of the body's structures. In contrast to conventional medicine, which historically focused on the individual systems of the body, osteopathic medicine emphasizes the interactive relationships between all body systems, with a continually shifting balance to maintain a state of health.

Evidence

In the United States, osteopathic physicians treat many conditions with the same techniques as MD's. Many of these techniques are considered standard of care and have firmly established scientific support. Scientists have also studied osteopathic medicine for the following health problems:

Back pain
There is growing scientific evidence that the osteopathic approach may be beneficial for low back pain, especially shortly after pain begins. One trial comparing osteopathic medicine with "standard care" showed that both therapies produced similar results. Another study reported that osteopathic patients use fewer drugs (pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants) and less physical therapy than do patients receiving standard care. In a controlled trial of osteopathic manipulative treatment (compared with "sham manipulation"), no significant benefits were found. Additional research is needed to clarify these findings.

Ankle injury
Preliminary evidence suggests that osteopathic manipulation in the emergency department may have a beneficial effect in the management of acute ankle injuries. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings.

Asthma
One study of children with asthma found osteopathic manipulative treatment to be beneficial for improving peak flow rates. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)
There is early evidence from one randomized controlled trial to support the use of an osteopathic approach for epicondylopathia humeri radialis. Further study is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Knee or hip joint replacement
It remains unclear if osteopathic manipulative treatment is beneficial after knee or hip replacement surgery. Preliminary research suggests osteopathic manipulative treatment may reduce pain, improve ambulation (ability to walk) and increase rehabilitation. However, one randomized controlled trial suggests a lack of benefit in rehabilitation. Further research is needed to clarify this evidence.

Other
There is a growing body of research of osteopathic manipulation for a wide range of conditions. There is promising early evidence in a number of areas, including the treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, depression, fibromyalgia, menstrual pain, neck pain, pneumonia and thoracic outlet syndrome; postoperative care; and overall quality of life. Additional research is currently under way.

Unproven Uses

Osteopathic manipulation has been suggested for many additional uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, most of these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, although there is an increasing amount of research in this area.

Potential Dangers

The practice of osteopathic manipulation may be associated with a risk of spinal cord trauma or stroke. People with osteoporosis, tumors, infections, severe rheumatoid arthritis, blood vessel aneurysms, artery dissections, clogging of the arteries of the neck, bone cancer, bone or joint infections or bleeding disorders should avoid osteopathic manipulation. Osteopathic manipulation should not replace other more proven treatments for potentially severe conditions.

Summary

Osteopathic physicians in the United States combine conventional medical practices with osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy and education about healthful posture and body positioning. The osteopathic approach may play a beneficial role in the treatment of low back pain. Osteopathic manipulation has been suggested for many conditions; this is a growing area of research. Osteopathic manipulation should be performed only by a qualified osteopathic physician. Osteopathic manipulation may be associated with adverse effects such as damage to the spinal cord or stroke. It should be avoided by patients with osteoporosis, tumors or bleeding disorders.

The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.

Resources

1. Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
2. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research

Selected Scientific Studies: Osteopathic Medicine

Natural Standard reviewed more than 440 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created.

Some of the more recent English-language studies are listed below:

1. Andersson GB, Lucente T, Davis AM, et al. A comparison of osteopathic spinal manipulation with standard care for patients with low back pain. N Engl J Med 1999;341(19):1426-1431.
2. Bratzler DW. Osteopathic manipulative treatment and outcomes for pneumonia. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2001;101(8):427-428.
3. Colli R, Biagiotti I, Sterpa A. Osteopathy in neonatology. Pediatr Med Chir 2003;Mar-Apr, 25(2):101-105.
4. Duncan B, Barton L, Edmonds D, et al. Parental perceptions of the therapeutic effect from osteopathic manipulation or acupuncture in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2004;43(4):349-353.
5. Eisenhart AW, Gaeta TJ, Yens DP. Osteopathic manipulative treatment in the emergency department for patients with acute ankle injuries. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2003;103(9):417-421.
6. Gamber RG, Shores JH, Russo DP, et al. Osteopathic manipulative treatment in conjunction with medication relieves pain associated with fibromyalgia syndrome: results of a randomized clinical pilot project. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2002;102(6):321-325.
7. Geldschlager S. Osteopathic versus orthopedic treatments for chronic epicondylopathia humeri radialis: a randomized controlled trial. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2004;11(2):93-97.
8. Guiney PA, Chou R, Vianna A, et al. Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on pediatric patients with asthma: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005;105(1):7-12.
9. Gonzalez-Hernandez T, Balsa A, Gonzalez-Suquinza I, et al. Comparison of conventional physiotherapy and osteopathy for the treatment of chronic neck pain. Arthritis Rheum 1999;42(9):S270.
10. Hing WA, Reid DA, Monaghan M. Manipulation of the cervical spine. Man Ther 2003;Feb, 8(1):2-9.
11. Jarski RW, Loniewski EG, Williams J, et al. The effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment as complementary therapy following surgery: a prospective, match-controlled outcome study. Altern Ther Health Med 2000;6(5):77-81.
12. King HH, Tettambel MA, Lockwood MD, et al. Osteopathic manipulative treatment in prenatal care: a retrospective case control design study. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2003;103(12):577-582.
13. Licciardone J, Gamber R, Cardarelli K. Patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes associated with osteopathic manipulative treatment. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2002;102(1):13-20.
14. Licciardone JC, Stoll St, Cardarelli KM, et al. A randomized controlled trial of osteopathic manipulative treatment following knee or hip arthroplasty. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2004;104(5):193-202.
15. Licciardone JC, Stoll ST, Fulda KG, et al. Osteopathic manipulative treatment for chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Spine 2003;28(13):1355-1362.
16. Licciardone JC, Gamber RG, Russo DP. Quality of life in referred patients presenting to a specialty clinic for osteopathic manipulative treatment. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2002;102(3):151-155.
17. Martin RB. Osteopathic approach to sexual dysfunction: holistic care to improve patient satisfaction and prevent mortality and morbidity. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2004;104(1 Suppl 1):S1-S8.
18. Noll DR, Degenhardt BF, Stuart MK, et al. The effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on immune response to the influenza vaccine in nursing home residents: a pilot study. Altern Ther Health Med 2004;10(4):74-76.
19. Plotkin BJ, Rodos JJ, Kappler R, et al. Adjunctive osteopathic manipulative treatment in women with depression: a pilot study. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2001;101(9):517-523.
20. Ray AM, Cohen JE, Buser BR. Osteopathic emergency physician training and use of osteopathic manipulative treatment. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2004;104(1):15-21.
21. Spiegel AJ, Capobianco JD, Kruger A, Spinner WD. Osteopathic manipulative medicine in the treatment of hypertension: an alternative, conventional approach. Heart Dis 2003;Jul-Aug, 5(4):272-278.
22. Sommerfeld P, Kaider A, Klein P. Inter- and intraexaminer reliability in palpation of the "primary respiratory mechanism" within the "cranial concept". Man Ther 2004;Feb, 9(1):22-29.
23. Sullivan C. Introducing the cranial approach in osteopathy and the treatment of infants and mothers. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1997;Jun, 3(3):72-76.
24. Vick DA, McKay C, Zengerle CR. The safety of manipulative treatment: review of the literature from 1925 to 1993. J Am Osteopath Assoc 1996;96(2):113-115.
25. Waldman P. Osteopathy: an aid to the healing process. Prof Nurse 1993;Apr, 8(7):452-454.
26. Williams N. Managing back pain in general practice: is osteopathy the new paradigm? Br J Gen Pract 1997;Oct, 47(423):653-655.
27. Williams NH, Wilkinson C, Russell I, et al. Randomized osteopathic manipulation study (ROMANS): pragmatic trial for spinal pain in primary care. Fam Pract 2003;Dec, 20(6):662-669.

back to: Alternative Medicine Home ~ Alternative Medicine Treatments

Self-Therapy For People Who ENJOY Learning About Themselves

WHAT ANGER IS

Anger is a natural emotion or feeling.

We feel anger whenever we are BLOCKED from getting something we want.

It is good for us because it protects us from threat, it reminds us that we have power to overcome obstacles, and it gives us a measure of how important it is for us to get what we want.

HOW IT WORKS

Whenever we are blocked from something we want, a part of our energy goes into feeling anger.

It can range from intense anger at being blocked from something important (like life itself) to minimal anger at small blocks over slight wants.

Anger has a natural duration. In other words, we will get over it within a certain amount of time if we admit to it and express it.

If we don't admit to it (if we deny that it's there), we can feel "uncentered" or "crazy." If we don't express it (if we keep it inside), it takes a much longer time to get over it.

Anger feels bad when we first notice it, it feels good as we express it (by saying we are angry, raising our voice, etc.), and it turns into guilt and depression if it's denied.

Anger feels good to express whether we are alone or with others. Expressing it with others is better only because they may be able to help us make decisions about what to do with all that energy.

Anger is really just raw energy. After we have admitted to it and while we express it we feel a major boost in our energy level.

We all have one particular set of physical sensations in our body which indicate anger. People feel anger in various ways and in various parts of their body.

The most common sensations are probably a tight feeling in the upper torso, a "hot flash" or rush of warmth in the face and upper body, and jaw tightening.

Your sensation of anger may be one of these or it may be entirely different.

FEELING YOUR ANGER

It is vital to your emotional health to know how anger feels to you in your body.

So, right now, take a moment to remind yourself of the most intense anger you ever felt.

As you remember this day when you were completely blocked from something you wanted very much, ask yourself: "What do I feel in my body?"

(Once you recognize your own "anger place" in your body, you can stop thinking about that day in your life. Notice that you are able to let go of that memory almost as quickly as you were able to remember it.)

It is very important that you admit to yourself that you are angry whenever you feel this sensation in this part of your body!

As a matter of fact, you'll need to get better and better at recognizing even very slight sensations of anger, if you want to improve your life.

UNNATURAL ANGER

It is possible to believe that you are angry when you aren't, and to believe you are angry when you are really sad (most common), or scared, or happy, or excited, or feeling guilty.

The "Split Second" It Started: Real, necessary, natural anger starts as an immediate response to some event. Unreal, unnecessary, unnatural anger starts in our minds, with a thought or fantasy.

If the anger was natural you will feel better as you admit and express it. If it was unnatural you might feel a bit better from the release of energy, but not much.

If you don't get relief from your anger, it probably started in your mind. It is possible to simply stop unnatural anger (once you stop believing it's real).

If you have trouble stopping it, you are probably believing that you are angry as part of some learned strategy for getting along in the world.

Some people call this manipulation, but that word implies that it's done on purpose. It's really a way of coping, subconsciously, with life's difficulties.

But feeling the pain of unnatural anger never works as a way of coping in the long run.

See "PROBLEMS WITH ANGER" (Another Article In This Series)

Enjoy Your Changes!

Everything here is designed to help you do just that!

next: Natural Sadness

A major milestone in my recovery was learning to listen closely to the over generalizations I hear coming from my own head.

I first became aware of this issue in recovery meetings when I heard statements such as "I know so-and-so will never change." Or, I heard (myself included) spouses and coworkers over generalize about each other; parents about their children; children about their parents; employees about their bosses; bosses about their employees; and one sex about the other (for example: "all men / women are _______").

By verbalizing these over generalizations and false beliefs, I have discovered that I am only hurting myself. I reveal more about myself, my thinking, and my attitude than I do about the other party. I am unconsciously re-affirming my own version of reality; creating self-fulfilling prophecies; and falling prey once again to my own over-expectations (which the other person invariably lives up to). In other words, I had formed the habit of seeing what I wanted to see, believing what I wanted to believe, and thus creating a false reality that conformed to my over generalized thinking. For me, this type of thinking and talking is merely another form of self-inflicted insanity and delusion. So, I'm grateful that I became aware of this tendency in myself.

Now, when I catch myself thinking and verbalizing over generalized beliefs, I recognize it and immediately pause and question the statement in my mind: "Are all men / women really (fill-in-the-blank)?" "Is it certifiably true that so-and-so will never change?"

As a recovering co-dependent, I am learning instead to affirm the good and the best traits in myself and in others. I am working at practicing open-mindedness and an unconditional belief in the positive possibilities and potentials in everyone I know. I am choosing to make a conscious and mindful effort to verbally affirm and encourage these possibilities, so that the potential for positive change and transformation become self-fulfilling prophecies. Likewise, I want to form ongoing relationships with people who will reciprocate and verbally affirm the potential for good and for positive change they see in me. After all, I am capable of changing.

Slowly and painfully, I'm learning my mind has the awesome ability to create reality "as I see it." Therefore, for me, recovery has meant setting boundaries and limits on my own thinking, which in turn affects my attitude, which in turn alters and affects my life and my environment. I'm discovering that healthy thinking is affirming the endless potential for positive change and for good in myself and in other people. This results in the creation of the tremendous peace and serenity I now experience on a hourly basis.

All this is not to say that I now naively and blindly automatically assume that all people and all situations are good, honest, trustworthy, safe, etc. Rather, I'm finding true reality is in the middle ground, in the calm, balanced center. When I assume the worst, my life is adversely affected; when I affirm the best, my life is positively affected. My boundary for my thinking is thus: "Affirm the best."

next: Twelve Steps Before the Program