This month I'd like to cover a topic that sounds complex, but when you break it down, it's really just common sense. Ready?

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). Don't panic! Doctors and scientists use big words to make others feel inferior. All the word means is that a persons' attitude or way of seeing the world directly affects what chemicals are produced and processed within their bodies.

In the 1970's and 80's, there was a battle between mainstream and holistic approaches to healthcare. Since then, over 20 years of research in the field of PNI and neurobiology have proven that the mind-body connection is one of the most powerful tools we have for maintaining good health, as well as healing chronic pain, fatigue, and other inflammatory illness. Anyone who says otherwise is 20 years behind.

Remember, Americans have more chronic, inflammatory illness than any other country, so listen up! Inflammation is the bodys' chemical response to basic needs that aren't being met. These needs are physical safety, good nutrition (including proper water intake and lack of toxic over load), healthy personal relationships, feelings of self worth, a sense of purpose, exercise and sleep. Meeting these needs gives us the energy to lead a satisfying life. Healing and health come from within. No one can fix or heal another. Pills and surgery ALONE don't cause healing. It is how we live that mostly determines our health and ability to heal.

Sure, we all get dealt different hands in life, but it's how you play that hand that truly makes a difference. In most cases, lifestyles and attitude trumps genetics and fate. To be healthy, adults must take personal responsibility to meet their basic needs. No one can do it for you.

We have covered nutrition, exercise and sleep in previous columns, so let's focus on personal relationships, sense of self worth and purpose. A healthy personal relationship is someone you can count on when the chips are down. Of course, the best way to have a friend is to be one.

Research shows that this kind of mutual trust sets up favorable chemical reactions in the bodies of those involved. These reactions can heal as well as prevent disease and reduce pain levels.

Of course, negative emotions can be physically damaging. Remember the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Let me share a personal story. Some years ago I found myself in a depressed state of mind that, after months, wasn't getting better. A friend of mine was a professional counselor and introduced me to Time Line Therapy. This technique requires you to mentally review, from present to past, every emotionally charged event in your life. You must observe any lessons to be learned and emotionally release each incident.

I thought I had previously dealt with the fact that my biological father had left the family when I was three years old. My mom had remarried a wonderful guy who became a great dad to me. I thought the issue was closed. But, when I reviewed the last time I saw my father, I broke down crying. I hadn't cried in 30 years. I was raised to be emotionally tough.

Amazingly, I felt a huge load was lifted. My chronic lower back pain was immediately gone and stayed gone for years. When a parent deserts you, it's common to feel like you're at fault. Could it be that low self-esteem had contributed to my condition? It seems to me that's the only explanation for my experience.

Let's talk about purposeful goals. If your aim is only to benefit yourself by your actions, you've got a lot of competition and not many allies. If it's all about you, problems in your life can be all consuming.

If on the other hand, your goals include the benefit of others, help will come from all sorts of expected and unexpected sources. Seeing yourself in the big picture tends to dwarf personal problems.

Review your life. Face up to needs that aren't being met. Find a purpose that's bigger than your personal problems. Your health depends on it.