In a word, yes! According to Astin and other researchers from the Harvard Medical School and the California Pacific Medical Center:
"There is now considerable evidence that an array of mind-body therapies can be used as effective adjuncts to conventional medical treatment for a number of common clinical conditions."
Their review of the research finds considerable evidence of efficacy for mind-body therapies in the treatment of:
- Coronary artery disease
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Incontinence
- Improving postsurgical outcomes
- Chronic low back pain
- Cancer (alleviation of disease and treatment-related symptoms)
In addition, there is moderate evidence of efficacy for mind-body therapies in the areas of hypertension and arthritis.