Prayer Healing

In a sight and hearing-impaired study in Africa, many reported that when the healer is in close proximity to the patient (often touching or hugging them), the patient shows remarkable improvement--even more than previously seen using hypnosis.

Candy Gunther Brown, associate professor of religious studies at Indiana University, reported that significant progress was made with patients with moderate to severe auditory and visual impairments.

"Placebo effects are certainly the best known of these kinds of mind-body interactions that take place," said Brown. "The effects could also be attributable to subjects being more motivated simply because they are being studied.

One physician believes that prayer and the power of touch and human connection may have some as-yet unexplained power to heal.

Heal Thyself

You don't have to be Superman to heal thyself, according to Julie K. Silver, M.D.

Ms. Silver is a practicing physiatrist, a doctor who combines physical medicine with rehabilitation. She treat people with a variety of serious illnesses and injuries.

She advises that in order to speed up your recovery, avoid infection and help recuperate, you need to focus on diet, sleep and movement.

1. DIET

Get certain vitamins and adequate protein. Eat nuts, seeds and legumes, at least 5 portions of fruits and veggies and a 100% RDA (Recommended Daily Requirement) multi-vitamin.

2. SLEEP

Because some healing processes require sleep to work effectively, get at least 7 - 8 hours (or more!) each night.

3. EXERCISE

Movement gets the blood working. Exercise heals muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments better and faster. After an illness or injury, slowly increase your activity (with your doctor's permission, of course).

YOU have the power to heal. Go for it.