Relieve Low Back Pain with Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “reductions in disability and pain intensity were found despite the reductions in opioid use and other medical and self-help pain treatments at six months. The trial confirms the findings of two prior randomized controlled trials with non-veterans showing that yoga is […]
Improve Substance Use Disorders and Prevent Relapse with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “As we understand more about the human condition and the things that drive some people to dangerous behavior, we can apply new methods of treatment to help heal the body and mind. One of these methods is what […]
Improve Response Inhibition to Quit Smoking with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness home practice significantly predicted reduced smoking behavior, even after controlling for initial craving and cigarette use. In fact, every day the participants meditated meant 1.2 fewer cigarettes, and every day they were mindful with their cravings and in […]
Improve Opioid-Treated Chronic Low Back Pain with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness meditation and CBT-based interventions have the potential to safely reduce pain severity in patients with chronic lower back pain that’s treated with opioids,” – Dr. Aleksandra Zgiersk Low Back Pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and […]
Improve Thinking in Substance Abusers with Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “When people take substances, they’re seeking a certain experience, whether it’s escapist or transcendental or just wanting a different psychological state, to get away from whatever is making them unhappy. Yoga is an alternative, a positive way to generate a […]
The Middle Way in Mindfulness Practice By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Monks, these two extremes ought not to be practiced by one who has gone forth from the household life. (What are the two?) There is addiction to indulgence of sense-pleasures, which is low, coarse, the way of ordinary people, unworthy, and […]
Mindfulness is Associated with Fewer Worries about Cessation of the Use of Sleeping Pills for Insomnia By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “If insomnia is at the root of your sleepless nights, it may be worth trying meditation. The deep relaxation technique has been shown to increase sleep time, improve sleep quality, and make it […]
Reduce Pain with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness is an effective practice for approaching chronic pain. It teaches individuals to observe their pain, and be curious about it. And, while counterintuitive, it’s this very act of paying attention that can help your pain.” – Margarita Tartakovsky We all have […]
Improve Borderline Personality Disorder and Reduce Suicidal Thoughts with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness meditation encourages recognition of the wide palate of human emotions, but also keenly encourages one not to fixate on these temporary feelings. Work in mindfulness meditation includes labeling these emotions in a non-judgmental manner and allowing […]
MORE Mindfulness for Stopping Smoking By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “I liken it to having weeds in your garden. Standard treatments—for example, avoiding triggers such as ashtrays and lighters or using substitutes such as eating carrot sticks and chewing on your pen—just pull the heads off the weeds, so they grow back. […]