PNI: The New Mind/Body Healing Program

Examines the new science of psychoneuroimmunology, which combines ancient healing traditions with modern medical technology, and demonstrates how mind/body healing helps to prevent disease, reduce the risk of illness, and aid in recovery

The interaction between mind and body has many important implications for good health, claim health care advocates. Dacher, a doctor in Reston, Va., is among them. Here he describes psychoneuriommunology (PNI), the marriage of ancient healing traditions with contemporary medical technology. The latter, he believes, should not be abandoned entirely, but used less frequently. He contrasts traditional medicine--the use of outside agents, medication, surgery, radiation or physical therapy, for example, to manipulate the physical body--with healing, or the use of inner resources of the mind and body to restore balance and harmony. Healing, he believes, results in full health and gives us the ability to "live lives of vitality and joy." The author's advice for better health: the employment of imagery, meditation and biofeedback techniques. To that end, he offers a series of 18 exercises to reduce the stressors often responsible for disease. Some readers may find Dacher's views arguable or extreme--e.g., that cancer develops in those who endure persistent depression. And more references would have been helpful, as well as additional resources for further information on the ins and outs of alternative care.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Dacher, a physician, examines the conventional practice of medicine. While he sees many worthwhile aspects, he perceives it as being limited by its focus on disease and treatment rather than wellness and true healing. He describes how he has integrated the innovative ideas of the new science of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) into his medical practice. The key tenet of this emerging discipline is that the mind and body together must be seen as a single interactive unit, rather than as separate components of the individual. Healing modalities, therefore, need to focus on treating the whole person, rather than simply providing for physical symptom abatement. Dacher explains how healing can be facilitated through the use of techniques in mindfulness (observation of thoughts) and self-regulation, and provides 18 specific exercises that can be used. His book presents a clear and perceptive analysis and should be of great interest in public libraries.
- Elizabeth Salt, Otterbein Coll. Lib., Westerville, Ohio
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.