Spirituality and religion have always been an essential component of health and well being. Proponents of spirituality claim that prayer can decrease the negative effects of disease, increase the effectiveness of medical treatments and speed recovery.

The role of spirituality and religion in medicine encompasses such practices as the use of meditation and prayer in healing, pastoral counseling, evoking compassion, engaging the mystery of death in end of life care, and the search for meaning in illness for patients as well as health care practitioners.

Many individuals are integrating spirituality into their health and health care. Research demonstrates a positive correlation between spirituality and health benefits. Many medical institutions and health care practitioners include spirituality and prayer as important components of healing. Complementary and alternative health care practices are also bringing spirituality into the healing process.

Presently, over half of the nation"s medical schools in the United States now include spiritual teachings and courses on spirituality and faith in their curricula due to the growing belief in the connection between spirituality and healing. Addressing spiritual issues can make a difference in an individual"s experience of illness and often in health outcomes as well.

Spiritual practice has been linked with improvement of various health conditions such as heart disease, colitis, cancer, stroke, and hypertension. Spirituality can positively influence cardiovascular, immune, hormonal, and nervous systems. Individuals with strong religious beliefs heal faster from surgery, have lower blood pressure, are less anxious and depressed, and cope better with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, spinal cord injury, diabetes, and arthritis. Religious practices are also associated with enhanced health and longer life.

Research studies indicate that spirituality and religion are very important to the quality of life for patients. Psychological benefits of praying may include promotion of a more positive outlook and the strengthening of the will to live.

According to a 2004 survey of more than 31,000 adults conducted by researchers at the National Center for Health Statistics and NCCAM, many individuals rely on prayer and spirituality for the benefit of health. Findings indicated that prayer was the most commonly used practice among all the approaches mentioned in the survey. Other approaches with a spiritual component included meditation, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, and energy healing. Of survey respondents, 45 percent had used prayer for health reasons, 43 percent had prayed for their own health, nearly 25 percent had had others pray for them, and 10 percent had participated in a prayer group for their health.

For information about Acupuncture & Massage College"s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500.