Question

A patient describes practicing a complementary and alternative therapy involving concentrating and controlling his respiratory rate and pattern, recognizing that breath work is to yoga as

a. The "zone" is to acupressure.
b. Massage therapy is to Ayurveda.
c. Reiki therapy is to therapeutic touch.
d. Prayer is to tai chi.

Answer 1

Meditation is a complementary and alternative therapy where conscious control of breathing is tuned for awareness and has grown in use due to its various health benefits. It allows voluntary regulation of an automatic function, which is a skill also reflected in advanced yoga practice. Techniques like biofeedback and the relaxation response similarly harness conscious control for health benefits.

Step-by-step explanation:

The practice of meditation involves concentrating on a single target, such as the breath, to increase awareness of the moment, and is a skill that can be learned and practiced alone or with training. Meditation is not only rooted in religious practices but also widely used in alternative medicine for its potential benefits, such as reducing blood pressure, managing stress, improving sleep quality, and aiding in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, as well as pain management. Conscious control of breathing, as often employed in yoga, is a form of voluntary regulation over an automatic bodily function, much like some advanced yoga practitioners are reported to voluntarily control their heart rates. Techniques like biofeedback and the relaxation response also utilize conscious intervention to regulate autonomic responses for therapeutic effects.