-IBIS-1.7.6-
tx
cardiovascular system
hypercholesterolemia
Psychospiritual Approaches
Metaphors and Correlations
Stress management training in group of 23 patients showed the following results after 24 days: 20% decrease in plasma cholesterol, 44% increase in duration of exercise, 55% increase in total work performed, a 6% increase in ventricular ejection fraction from rest to maximal exercise, and 91% decrease in anginal episodes. (Locke, 1985, p. 104)
Four year evaluation: 13,000 male patients age 35-57 were assigned to usual care or to intervention designed to reduce smoking, hypertension, and serum cholesterol. The intervention group showed a strong decrease in all three risk factors over the four years, while the control group showed a moderate decrease (indicative of societal changes in health attitudes). (Locke, 1985, p. 143)
Clogging the channels of joy; fear of accepting joy. (Hay, 1984, p. 160)
lifestyle:
Reduce stress and maintain regular exercise: Stress reduction and regular exercise contribute to higher levels of HDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Individuals over 40 and those who have not been engaged in vigorous activity on a regular basis should consult with their physician and consider starting with less strenuous activities such as walking.
(Lundberg U, et al. Psychosomatic Med 1989;51:113-122; N Engl J Med 1988;318:110-112; Jiang W, et al. JAMA 1996;275:1651-1656; Kawachi I, et al. Circulation 1996.)
Chinese psychophysiology:
Spleen ~ Pi governs digestion and manifests in the muscle tissues; transforms food into Qi and Xue (Blood); governs the Xue (Blood); resolves Dampness and Phlegm; and relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel balanced and centered.
» Healthy expressions are fairness, openness, deep thinking, and reminiscence; » Spleen Xu (Deficiency) signs include slightness (deficient "form"); abundant elimination; morning fatigue; cold, wet feet (Seem, p. 28); abdomen taut and distended like a drum; craving for sweets; flatulence; nausea; mild edema; memory failure; heavy feeling in legs; easy bruising; pale lips; loose stools; muscular weakness; and, indirectly, obesity. Unresolved Spleen Xu (Deficiency) predisposes to Spleen Shi (Excess), particularly accumulation of Dampness and Phlegm, as the Spleen's functioning declines.
» Spleen Shi (Excess) signs include heaviness (excess "form"); large abdomen; great sighing; sadness; obsessions and nightmares (Seem, p. 28); abdominal pain; irregular appetite; stickiness in the mouth and on lips; red lips; chest congestion; fatigue; and constipation.
» The excessive use of the mind in thinking, studying, concentrating, and memorizing over a long period of time tends to weaken the Spleen and may lead to Xue Yu (Blood Stasis). This also includes excessive pensiveness and constant brooding. (Maciocia, p. 241) Likewise, inadequate physical exercise, overexposure to external Dampness, and excess consumption of sweet and/or Cold foods will also deplete the Spleen.
Therapies
behavior modification:
Intervention project for type A behavior pattern showed decrease in serum cholesterol which exceeded the decrease in serum levels for patients only treated with psychotherapy. These results were maintained six months after treatment. (Locke, 1985, p. 117)
Relaxation techniques reinforced by biofeedback for six weeks where the patients practiced twice a day and incorporated the exercises into everyday activities reduced mean blood pressure from 170/102 to 148/89, and reduced mean cholesterol from 241 to 217. (Locke, 1985, p. 54)
Biofeedback-aided relaxation and meditation reduced blood pressure, pulse rate, and smoking habits as well as serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids. (Locke, 1985, p. 54)
imagery:
related materia medica listings: imagery for heart conditions
affirmation:
I choose to love life. My channels of joy are wide open. It is safe to receive. (Hay, 1984, p. 160)
theotherapy:
(heart disease) Atlas, Poseidon, Prometheus, Typhon (Lemesurier, p. 99)
psychotherapy:
With heart disturbances and heart conditions, the following questions are possibly worth exploring:
» Are my head and heart, my intellect and feelings, in harmonious balance?
» Am I giving enough scope to my feelings and trusting myself to express them?
» Am I living and loving 'heartily', or only 'half-heartedly'?
» Is my life borne along by a living rhythm, or am I subjecting it to a rigid way?
» Does my life still contain enough combustible materials and explosives?
» Am I listening to, seeing, feeling, moving my heart? (Dethlefsen, p. 202)
process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: cardiovascular system)
related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
converting a symptom to a signal
type A behavior pattern
behavior modification techniques (see also relaxation, biofeedback)
healing power of meditation
imagery for heart conditions
imagery: precautions
imagery: techniques
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
theotherapy
process paradigm
Footnotes
[No author listed.] A perspective on type A behavior and coronary disease. N Engl J Med 1988;318:110-112. (Review)
Jiang W, Babyak M, Krantz DS, et al. Mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia and cardiac events. JAMA 1996;275:1651-1656.
Kawachi I, Sparrow D, Spiro II A, et al. A prospective study of anger and coronary heart disease. Circulation 1996.
Lundberg U, Hedman M, Melin B, Frankenhaeuser M. Type A Behavior in healthy males and females as related to physiological reactivity and blood lipids. Psychosomatic Med 1989;51:113-122.