Minding the Body, Mending the Mind

James Metz, MD
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: November 1, 2001

Author: Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.
Publisher: Bantam New Age Books
Price: $12.95 (USA), $16.95 (CAN)
ISBN: 0-553-34556-7
OncoLink Rating:

Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. is a founder and former director of the Mind/Body Clinic at the New England Deaconess Hospital. The Mind/BodyClinic was started in 1981 to train patients to elicit the relaxation response. It also encouraged the use of complementary medical techniquessuch as meditation, stretching exercises, nutrition, and stress reduction exercises.

This book was written as an extension of the Mind/Body Clinic for those individuals who are interested in participating in the program, butare unable to attend. The chapters parallel the Mind/Body program as it is delivered in the clinic. The entire 10-week program is includedwithin this book. Relaxation and meditation techniques are explained in detail. Cancer patients may find many of these techniques will helpthem cope with their fears and anxiety about the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The book is written for any individual who is interested in relaxation and stress reduction techniques. There are clear directions for gettingstarted with meditation and stress reduction exercises. Cases of individual patients are included for examples. The author stresses that thetechniques in this book are meant to complement your standard medical treatments. The book encourages the reader to "live life in themoment rather than being wrapped up in the memories of the past or worries about the future."

The book is well written and includes clear directions and encouragement. Although it is not specifically written for the cancer patient, allmay benefit from the meditation and stress reduction techniques. It is highly recommended by OncoLink.