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[On the relationship of psychosomatic and mind-body medicine: integrative, complementary or alternative disciplines
Stefan Brunnhuber1, Andreas Michalsen
1Diakonie Kliniken Zschadrass, Klinik und Poliklinik für Integrative Psychiatrie und Psychosomatik, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus, Colditz, Deutschland. brunnhuber.cor@gmxpro.de
Abstract:
The text outlines the relation between psychosomatic medicine as an established medical discipline and the emerging concept of mind-body medicine from a historical, clinical and epistemological perspective. Limitations and contributions of both disciplines are discussed and the opportunities within the concept of Integrative Medicine are outlined. Whereas psychosomatic medicine is perceived as a form of transformation through a primarily verbal discoursive relationship, mind-body medicine claims healing through increased traditional techniques of the relaxation response, increased awareness, mindfulness, increasing des-identification and health-promoting lifestyle modification. It becomes clear that mind-body medicine seems to be epistemologically the broader theoretical framework, whereas in a clinical context the combination of both disciplines appears to be complementary and synergistic. The connection between psychosomatic medicine and mind-body medicine can make an important and exemplary contribution to the concept of Integrative Medicine.
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