Mind-body interventions: Applications for social work practice

William Finger, Elizabeth Mayfield Arnold

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the past decade, we have seen an increase in the popularity of mind-body medicine as an alternative or complement to traditional health care interventions. This paper explores the history of mind-body medicine and how particular mind-body interventions focusing on stress reduction and relaxation can be useful complements to social work practice. Four types of mind-body interventions are described, research on their effectiveness is reviewed, conclusions are drawn, and the applicability to social work practice is discussed. Given existing empirical support for the effectiveness of these interventions, the authors suggest that efforts at both the systems and individual levels, including changes in social work education, can be made to enhance their use in traditional health settings, as well in other types of settings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)57-78
Number of pages22
JournalSocial Work in Health Care
Volume35
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biofeedback
  • Guided imagery
  • Meditation
  • Mind-body
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Social work education
  • Stress reduction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Community and Home Care
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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