At St. Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center, we believe
that aligning your spiritual and emotional needs with
your medical treatment can help improve your outcome
and quality of life. The Complementary Therapies Program
aims to provide a truly comprehensive approach by treating
the whole person and not just the disease.
Experienced professionals will help you access therapies
such as yoga, massage, acupuncture, Reiki, therapeutic
touch, Qi Gong and mind-body skills group. These are
not alternative treatments to your medical care; rather,
they are therapies used in combination with traditional
treatments to provide you with a well-rounded approach.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture seeks to rebalance various organs and other
systems of the body by manipulating vital life forces
called QI. Acupuncture is one of the best-known forms
of traditional Chinese medicine and has been found beneficial
in treating headaches, managing post-operative and chemotherapy-related
fatigue, nausea and vomiting and enhancing a sense of
wellbeing. Utilizing hair-thin needles carefully placed
at specific points in the skin, acupuncture has become
an increasingly common form of complementary medicine.
Yoga
Yoga is a mind-body therapy that uses techniques such
as meditation and breathing. These techniques help reduce
the heart rate, lower blood pressure and manage stress.
Additionally, through the consistent practice of yoga,
you can help nurture your body's natural healing abilities,
build strength, increase flexibility, and enhance your
energy and mental clarity.
Therapeutic Massage Therapy
Massage is more than an indulgence and luxury. It is
an art of touch that can help promote the healing process
and enhance a sense of well-being. Recent studies show
that massage can improve circulation, enhance the quality
of sleep, and reduce stress, anxiety, tension and pain.
Regular message can help you manage some of the issues
related to a cancer diagnosis, the disease process and
side effects of cancer treatment.
Reiki
Reiki is a light-touch, hands-on treatment that encourages
the body to heal itself and achieve mental, emotional,
physical and spiritual balance. Patients who have received
Reiki report a significant reduction in anxiety and
pain. Reiki can also be used for stress management.
Equally important is that Reiki can be self-administered,
empowering you to play an important role in self-healing.
Therapeutic Touch
Practitioners of therapeutic touch use their hands to
access energy fields surrounding your body as a way
to promote your innate ability to heal. Some studies
suggest that therapeutic touch is helpful in stress,
anxiety and pain management. Patients who have had therapeutic
touch often report they feel relaxed and energized by
the treatment.
Qi Gong
Qi Gong is a traditional Chinese medicine technique,
which employs slow, symmetrical movements, meditation
and breathing techniques. Preliminary data suggests
that Qi Gong is beneficial in the management of depression,
fatigue, pain and anxiety.
