I found the following post by Greg Hake very interesting to consider. It really points to the fact that our thoughts and feelings and perspective makes a difference in our healing and well being.
The Placebo Effect
by GREGG HAKE on AUGUST 13, 2012
A wise Chinese medical doctor friend of mine made a fascinating point during a dinner conversation the other day.
He said that if medicines and medical interventions were ranked according to their effectiveness, cost, invasiveness and side effects – the most effective, least costly, invasive and disruptive being the best – then placebos which produce positive healing outcomes would consistently outrank all other medicine because they are free and harmless.
He went on to argue that Western medicine always throws out the placebos, arguing that they are “shams”, whether they work or not. This, of course, is foolish if the goal in medical research is to find efficacious and cost effective solutions that first do no harm.
