Zen Meditation
May Help Patients Control Pain
[Posted 02/02/2009]
Researchers at the University of Montreal in Canada
investigated the easing of pain when patients
practice Zen meditation. Previous studies had found
that patients who experienced chronic pain could be
helped by meditative techniques, but the reason for
the reduction in pain was not fully understood.
The current study was published in the January 2009
Psychosomatic Medicine. The researchers found
that long-term Zen meditators were less affected by
pain and attributed this to their controlled
breathing techniques and mindful attitude (attention
to one’s inner environment and the non-judgmental
flow of thoughts). These findings provide further
evidence of the positive potential for a mind-body
approach to controlling pain.
“These results indicated that Zen meditators have
lower pain sensitivity and experience analgesic
effects during mindful states. Results may reflect
cognitive/self-regulatory skills related to the
concept of mindfulness and/or altered respiratory
patterns,” concluded the study’s authors, Joshua A.
Grant and Pierre Rainville.
Related Links:
Healthfinder News Article
Psychosomatic Medicine Abstract
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