(3 of 3)
Much of what Western medicine is trying to prove scientifically Eastern cultures have long taken for granted. Ayurvedic medicine, which began in India some 6,000 years ago, uses transcendental meditation, massage and herbal therapies to trigger the body's natural healing response. Dr. Deepak Chopra, an endocrinologist who has practiced Ayurvedic medicine, poses an intriguing question: "Inside of us there must be a 'thinking body' that responds to the mind's commands. But where could it be, and what is it made of?"
Even with modern tools, medicine may still be far from finding all the body's hidden healers. In the meantime, though, the search seems to be uncovering new ways in which doctors can help their patients. That ought to make everybody feel better.