Body - Mind Medicine and the Placebo Response

Abstract

The author refers to research findings of many scientists on the powerful and varied placebo responses to illustrate the body-mind connection in patients, and how the healing process is stimulated by the attitude of the doctor, the attitude of the patient and the symbols used. The mind-body connection has become widely researched phenomenon and medicine and it is showing increasingly clearer the physiological processes involved. The GP is well placed to use this clearer understanding of the placebo response and the mind-body connection when dealing with his individual patients. He is never separate from the healing process of his patient and this will help him understand better the uniquely individual, multi-dimentional processes which operate in the healing processes of his patient.