50% reduced medical care utilisation for TM practitioners
Researchers analysed data from a nation-wide US health insurance company. The study looked at the medical utilisation record of 2,000 policy holders who practised TM compared with a matching control group of about 4,000 non-meditators also drawn from the 600,000 policy holders. In essence, the researchers found that TM reduces health costs. In fact on average the meditating group went to hospital either for treatment or surgery 56% less often than the control group. (p<0.0001)
The TM policy holder group also needed 44% fewer doctors visits.
The findings were consistent across 17 different health categories including the following:
| Health category | Reduction in medical utlisation |
| Heart disease | 87.3% |
| Tumours | 55.4% |
| Infectious diseases | 30.4% |
| Mental disorders | 30.6% |
| Disorders of the nervous system | 87.3% |
The largest contrast in healthcare utilisation came in the over 40s age category with meditators over 40 having a decrease from the norm of 69.4% of time spent in hospital and a 73.7% reduction in doctors’ visits. (See chart below)
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| Decreased hospitalisation for the group of TM practitioners | Decreased doctors visits for the group of TM practitioners |
Research reference: DW Orme-Johnson, Medical care utilization and the Transcendental Meditation program, Psychosomatic Medicine 1987, 49:493-507. A retrospective study was published in The American Journal of Managed Care Vol 3 No 1 January 1997
Quebec study also shows TM reduces health costs
In another study researchers analysed monthly physicians’ expenses for the period 1981-1990 for 599 TM meditators in Quebec.
Findings: The study showed that for 3 years prior to learning TM, subjects had identical levels of health costs to others of the same age and sex. However, for 3 years after learning TM, overall costs declined 36% (12.4% annually).
High costs subjects, medical expenses declined 54% (18% annually).
For the over 50’s, costs declined even more at 57% (19% annually)
Research reference: The impact of transcendental meditation practice on Medical expenditure published in Dissertation Abstracts International: Issue 12, Book A, Vol 53 – June 1993.
Do you want to learn to meditate?
If you live in one of the major English-speaking countries, you can find out more about TM and where to learn by clicking on the ‘What is Transcendental Meditation?’ page. Then scroll down the right-hand margin and click on your national flag to go to your country’s TM website.
Go on, give it a go.
You will benefit directly from experiencing the daily inner silence of the TM technique.
TM reduces health costs in society as a whole
But, in addition, every time you meditate you radiate blessings to your family, your community and your whole nation. This is because you are contributing to the amazing 1% effect.
You see, TM isn’t just about improving your own health and reducing your own stress. Another major facet is that meditators also have a powerful influence on the stress levels in their local environment. In fact, the research shows that as little as 1% of the population meditating will reverse negative trends in society. For instance crime in the area spontaneously reduces. Meanwhile business activity and employment in the affected area tend to improve. (Read more about the 1% effect or Maharishi effect here.)
Later on, once you are well-established with your meditation, and if you want to take the technique further you are able to train up to become a TM-Sidha. At which point you may join one of the Super Radiance groups around the world dedicated to creating peace on earth.
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Thanks for sharing 🙂