Five Types of Mind-Body Therapies for Children

Mind-body therapies are among the top 10 most frequently used complementary modalities of healing by adults and children, according to the 2007-2012 National Health Interview Survey.  Among children, 3.7% between the ages of 4- and 17-years use mind-body therapies.  In this article, you’ll learn what mind-body therapies are and why they are among the topmost frequently used complementary therapies. 

What is mind-body therapy? 

Mind-body approaches involve specific techniques to engage the mind in ways that positively affect body awareness and regulation of physiological responses to improve health outcomes.   

Why are mind-body practices so popular? 

Many people report using mind-body therapies to help themselves feel better, improve overall well-being, and reduce stress.  Mind-body practices are generally safe, not invasive, and have low rates of reported adverse effects making these great adjuncts to conventional care.  In addition, these practices give individuals a sense of agency and empowerment over their health and well-being.  Generally, these practices can be learned and applied over the course of their lifetime.   

 Five Types of Mind-Body Therapies 

Biofeedback 

Biofeedback is an approach that uses technology to measure physiological responses.  This process gives individuals direct input and objective insights into their physiological patterns in response to specific mental thoughts and functions.  The types of physiological responses measured can vary to include breathing pattern, heart rate variability, brain wave activity, sweat gland activity, and peripheral body temperature.  There’s a variety of technology and formats for biofeedback including those only available in clinical settings, as well as portable devices that can be used at home.  A popular variation is the multimedia video game format.  Studies show clinical benefits of biofeedback as a complementary therapy for conditions including headaches, asthma, enuresis, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 

 Clinical Hypnosis 

Clinical hypnosis is a process in which individuals are guided to a “trance” state where they become more receptive to new ideas and associations to rewire their neurophysiological networks.  Clinical hypnosis, not to be confused with hypnosis used for entertainment, is practiced by licensed healthcare professionals to augment conventional treatment.  Studies demonstrate benefits for functional abdominal pain, procedural and chronic pain. 

Guided Imagery 

Guided imagery is a process in which all five senses are invoked to create a relaxation response.  This approach demonstrates benefits in immune function and in regulating the body’s stress response.  Studies demonstrate a correlation between guided imagery practice and an increase in immune cell numbers and a decrease in salivary cortisol levels.   Guided imagery has been shown to have therapeutic benefits in stress reduction and pain management. 

 Meditation 

Meditation is a practice of intentional focus and attention, often described in research as two types – concentration and mindfulness.  Concentration is a practice of continually redirecting one’s thoughts, mind, and awareness to a single point of focus.  Mindfulness is being aware of one’s present moment without judgement.   These forms of meditation have been found to demonstrate improvements in mental health, pain management, executive functions, coping, self-regulation, and hypertension. 

Yoga 

Yoga embodies a system of union of the body, mind, and spirit through a constellation of specific practices.  For the purposes of mind-body therapies in clinical and research settings, yoga can be described as a series of body postures linked with mindful breathing.  In this way, research demonstrates yoga practices positively affect the parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s “rest-and-digest” mode, with therapeutic benefits noted in pain management, stress reduction, and regulation of emotional, mental, and behavioral conditions. 

As with any complementary modality of healing, it is recommended that you work with trained professionals and engage in these therapies under the guidance of your personal physician.   

 Reference: 

SECTION ON INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE; Mind-Body Therapies in Children and Youth. Pediatrics September 2016; 138 (3): e20161896. 10.1542/peds.2016-1896 

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/138/3/e20161896/52650/Mind-Body-Therapies-in-Children-and-Youth