Religion And Medicine Working Together
Can Spiritual Beliefs Help Patients Heal Faster?
Mar 20, 2009
Can something as simple as believing in a higher power and engaging in daily prayer or meditation really lead to a healthier life? More and more evidence is being collected showing a direct link between a patients belief system and the rate at which they heal from stress, illness, and injury. Over the past decade alone there have been more than 1,000 studies conducted, following the relationship between religion and the healing process.
A Few Facts and Figures - Religion and Healing
One study showed that two-thirds of the patients healed more quickly when they had a religious belief base.
A Gallup poll conducted in the 1990’s showed that 92% of all patients interviewed either believed in God or a Universal spirit and that 99% of all doctors feel that a patient’s spiritual beliefs greatly assist in healing.
A study done by the National Institute for Healthcare Research in Maryland documented the health of more than 90,000 participants.
The study reflected a more than a 50% decrease in coronary disease, chronic pulmonary disease and suicide rates, and more than a 70% decrease in cirrhosis for patients who attended religious services at least once a week.
The American Journal of Public Health did a study on religion and medicine as well, finding a 36% drop in mortality rate among nearly 7,000 patients who regularly attended religious services.
The University of Texas followed 22,000 patients for nine years and found they lived an average of eight years longer compared to those who didn’t attend religious services.
How Religious Beliefs Affect Health and Longevity
Some possibilities are that most religions promote a healthy lifestyle, banning followers from alcohol and tobacco use, drugs, and promiscuous sex.
Many religious groups also offer support to their members during times of emotional and physical stress.
Those with strong religious views may also be better able to cope with illness and even death since they may be more optimistic about an after-life.
Spirituality and Stress Reduction:
More than 60% of all patients who visit their health care practitioner do so because of stress related conditions such as depression, anxiety, pain, and headaches.
Spiritual and religious followers usually engage in daily prayers, mantras, or chants. The repetitive words or phrases result in physiological changes such as a decrease in heart rate, metabolism, blood pressure and slows breathing. This relaxation response is the exact opposite of those related to stress.
Although it’s difficult to prove that religion can actually help patients recover more quickly and lead healthier, happier, longer lives, there does seem to be much evidence to support this. Religion and medicine can work together.
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