Table of Content

Open Access Editorial

Battlefield Acupuncture: Remembering a Pioneer and a Friend—In Memory of Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow, MD PhD MPH (1942–2025)

Received: 26 April 2025;  Published: 29 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502020

Abstract

This contribution honours the life and legacy of Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow (1942–2025), the founder of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) – a method that combines military medicine and traditional Eastern healing principles. Developed in the early 2000s for rapid, drug-free pain relief, BFA has since gained international recognition for its effectiveness and simplicity. The author reflects on the scientific collaboration with Dr. Niemtzow, which included advanced neurophysiological studies demonstrating BFA’s impact on pa [...]

552 4869

Open Access Original Research

Characterization of Patients with Functional Syndromes and Paradoxical Response to Hypnotic Relaxation

Received: 30 July 2024;  Published: 27 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502019

Abstract

Hypnotherapy is effective for treating functional symptoms; however, some studies describe a paradoxical response to hypnotic relaxation. We hypothesized that functional patients who: 1) are aware of a stressful antecedent event and 2) recognize that stress is causing or exacerbating their symptoms would have reduced symptom-severity with hypnotic relaxation, whereas patients who do not perceive a stressful antecedent and do not recognize stress as causing symptoms, would more commonly experience paradoxical respon [...]

585 4323

Open Access Research Article

Mental Health Service Users' Experiences of Receiving Ear Acupuncture as a Complement in Psychiatric Care in ICELAND – A Qualitative and Quantitative Pilot Study

Received: 19 December 2024;  Published: 15 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502018

Abstract

Depression, insomnia, cravings, and anxiety are significant and often long-lasting health problems. As medication has limited effect and often side effects, complementary methods such as ear acupuncture are used in mental health care. To describe mental health care users' experiences of ear acupuncture, including ratings of sleep, anxiety, depression, stress, pain, and cravings. This mixed methods study included in- and outpatients at a mental health rehabilitation service in Iceland. Standardized ear acupuncture ( [...]

815 6492

Open Access Original Research

Teachers on Self-Care

Received: 19 November 2024;  Published: 07 April 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502017

Abstract

Teachers face at-work risk factors including compassion fatigue, burnout, dealing with violence, and a teacher shortage. A review of the literature shows that self-care can have positive benefits that mitigate and help to buffer these at-work risk factors This study examines teachers’ stories of self-care. The data suggests that self-care is a positive practice for teachers professionally and personally.

723 7491

Open Access Original Research

Influence of Teachers’ Secondary Traumatic Symptoms on Their Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Intentions to Resign in Low Socioeconomic Status Schools

Received: 09 September 2024;  Published: 24 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501016

Abstract

The current study explored the adverse outcomes of secondary traumatic symptoms experienced by secondary school teachers on their compassion fatigue, burnout, sense of satisfaction, and intention to resign from the teaching profession in low SES schools in the United States context. The study was inspired by Ludick and Figley’s Compassion Fatigue and Resilience model and Figley’s work on Compassion Fatigue. A non-experimental design was employed, and data were gathered from a random sample of 131 teache [...]

1166 7814

Open Access Original Research

A Pilot Study of a School-Based Yoga and Mindfulness Program for Girls

Received: 15 August 2024;  Published: 18 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501015

Abstract

Schools have made commendable efforts to incorporate yoga and mindfulness programs to address the wellbeing of students; however, research on the efficacy of school-based yoga and mindfulness programs is still in its infancy, particularly with school-aged students at risk of developing externalizing disorders. Much of the research has also focused on evaluating interventions implemented by researchers, rather than evaluating those implemented by the school and its staff. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate [...]

1439 9453

Open Access Original Research

How Viniyoga Supports Health and Healing

Received: 17 January 2025;  Published: 14 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501014

Abstract

In this qualitative study, the impact of therapeutic Viniyoga on health and healing was explored from the perspective of 14 Viniyoga therapists who were interviewed on their perceptions of how yoga therapy contributes to the health and healing of their clients. A philosophical definition of Therapeutic Viniyoga was developed. Three themes related to health and healing from the perspective of Viniyoga therapists were identified using NVivo and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis procedures: The definition of he [...]

705 5283

Open Access Original Research

Exploring Farmers’ Motivators and Barriers to Adopting Stress Management Behaviors

Received: 30 September 2024;  Published: 05 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501013

Abstract

Farmers experience high levels of stress, with negative sequelae including physical illness, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Despite this, farmers are often reluctant to adopt stress management behaviors. This study collected survey data on motivators and barriers to stress management behavior change among farmers from 162 participants at a regional fruit and vegetable growers’ conference. Survey findings were analyzed using the Health Beliefs Model (HBM) as an organizing framework, calculating the frequency of s [...]

803 4134

Open Access Case Report

Therapeutic Use of Auto-Induced Cognitive Trance in a Chronic Pain Setting: A Case Study Using Mixed Methodology

Received: 14 August 2024;  Published: 05 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501012

Abstract

Auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) is a method for voluntarily entering modified state of consciousness. The therapeutic implications of AICT are still unknown. Since complementary approaches based on modified states of consciousness are recognized to be beneficial for patients suffering from chronic pain (e.g., hypnosis, meditation), we here present the first case report of a 68-year-old man with a long history of chronic pain linked to an open Spina Bifida L4-L5, who used AICT to improve his health condition. S [...]

1021 6446

Open Access Original Research

Parenting Behavior and Early Childhood Mental Health: Cortisol Awakening Response as a Moderator of Child Internalizing and Externalizing

Received: 02 September 2024;  Published: 04 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501011

Abstract

Certain observable parenting behaviors contribute to the risk of children developing internalizing and externalizing problems. Yet parenting behaviors do not affect all children uniformly and effects may depend on identifiable child characteristics. One factor is a child’s biological sensitivity to the caregiving environment, an indicator of which is a stress hormone, cortisol. This longitudinal study examines two dimensions of observable parenting behaviors, responsive and rejecting/harsh. These parenting behavior [...]

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