Reconnecting the Mind and Body: Using Bodywork to Help Improve Mental Health

The connection between mind and body has been a topic of study since the beginning of medicine. In Eastern medicine, there has been an integration of the two; however in Western medicine, the paring of the mind and body is becoming a new mainstream form of treatment. This literature review considers four different types of bodywork, which include massage therapy, CranioSacral therapy, acupuncture and Reiki, that can be used to help in the treatment of mental illnesses. Research shows that using these types of bodywork in combination with psychotherapy can be beneficial to patients who experience depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and/or autism spectrum disorders. Other types of mind-body treatments that are currently used, such as rapid resolution therapy, tapas acupressure technique, emotional freedom technique, thought field therapy, body psychotherapy, and biodynamic massage, are also discussed. With healthcare going to a more integrated approach, it is an ideal time to pay attention to these types of bodywork as adjunctive treatment for mental illness