Research Just Out: Low Back Pain Eased by Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

An article in Reuters on March 22, 2016 details a study just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association comparing usual care for lower back pain with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and CBT (a form of therapy). The study showed that MBSR was more effective at treating chronic lower back pain in a group of adults than their usual care.

The study included follow up at 26 weeks and 52 weeks; the study reports that these findings for MBSR persisted with little change at 52 weeks. The study is available on the website of JAMA (click on this sentence).

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is being offered at the Chambers Center for Well-Being in Summit beginning March 30th. Find out more about this extensively researched mindfulness meditation and stress reduction program at Creative Balance. More than 20,000 people have completed this well-respected program and, through it, have learned how to use their innate resources and abilities to respond more effectively to the challenges and opportunities of everyday life.

The program consists of eight weekly two-and-a-half-hour classes and a one-day retreat (on a weekend). Highly participatory, supportive, and structured, this program provides:

• guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices
• gentle stretching and mindful movement
• group dialogue and mindful communication exercises to enhance awareness in everyday life and improve ability to handle stressful situations and conversations with greater ease
• individually tailored instruction
• daily home assignments
• home practice materials including guided mindfulness practice CDs and a workbook

The program is challenging and life-affirming. The instructor is skilled at creating a safe, supportive, and deeply engaging experiential learning environment, providing both group and individualized instructions and directions for how to learn, practice, and integrate mindfulness into your everyday life. Participating in the MBSR program requires an ongoing commitment to yourself. You will be asked to attend all classes, including the one-day weekend retreat, and to practice daily home assignments.

Wednesday mornings (10:00 am - 12:30pm) March 30th - June 1, 2016. All-day retreat on Saturday, May 7th. No class May 18th.

Chambers Center for Well Being at Overlook Downtown
357 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Fee: $400.
Click here to register, or call the Chambers Center at 973-971-6301.

The course will be led by Patrick Briody. Patrick is a teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in the New York / New Jersey area, and an instructor with the Institute for Mindful Leadership. He has been a dedicated student and practitioner of mindfulness meditation for over a decade and has attended many intensive mindfulness retreats with a number of highly experienced teachers throughout the years. Most recently Patrick completed a 92-hour teacher development intensive training taught by senior staff from the UMass Medical School Center for Mindfulness. Patrick also recently participated in a 7-day professional training program under the direction of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Dr. Saki Santorelli. In addition, Patrick brings years of practical experience in applying mindfulness in the workplace through his 25 years managing large technology organizations on Wall Street.