How Meditation Can Help Inflammatory Conditions

Mindful meditation techniques, including conscious breathing and body focus, may provide benefits to people experiencing chronic inflammatory conditions, which are linked to stress.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or asthma, you may be able to alleviate some symptoms through mindful meditation, report researchers in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity.

Studies at the University of Wisconsin compared two stress-reduction methods: the meditation approach and a general health-enhancement routine that included nutrition education and physical activity. While both strategies reduced stress, the mindful strategy was more effective at decreasing inflammation, according to researchers working with volunteers.