Integrative therapies can help in many ways
Any health journey impacts each patient’s mind, body and spirit. Our goal is to provide comfort and guidance to patients and their families throughout that journey. We do this by:
- Improving the care experiences for patients and families
- Improving symptom management
- Enhancing the patient and family’s resiliency and capacity to cope by focusing on well-being and preventive ways of managing health
Who can benefit?
Any child, along with his or her family, who is experiencing an acute or chronic health condition can benefit from this program. The mind-body connection is so important in supporting health. It is especially vital for anyone dealing with illness. Integrative therapies help children and families practice happy and relaxed states of mind so that their bodies can relax and function better. Integrative therapies are safe and effective when combined with medications and other tools for managing the side effects of treatment. They are also tools for coping better with the disruptions that are a part of complex illness and hospitalizations.
Services we offer
- Acupoint therapy includes acupressure/acupuncture, Shoni-shin and laser therapy. This promotes the body’s natural healing ability and helps improve function by helping regulate flow of energy throughout the body, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- Aromatherapy promotes physical and psychological wellbeing through the therapeutic use of essential oils.
- Biofeedback therapy uses sensors to measure physiologic responses such as breathing, heart rate or skin temperature. Through this, the patient learns to recognize and regulate changes in the body and develop ways to relax and find calmness to reduce physical and emotional symptoms.
- Breathwork focuses on the breath, and increases blood flow to the brain and body. This leads to decreased muscle tension and increased relaxation.
- Energy therapy such as Reiki, Healing Touch or Tui na, uses subtle energy and light touch to promote rest and relaxation and reduce pain, upset stomach and feelings of worry or sadness.
- Guided imagery uses creative imagination to imagine a place that promotes rest, relaxation and healing. A healthcare provider, family member or CD can be a helpful guide during this process.
- Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by credentialed professionals. Our music therapists assess children and develop a treatment plan to address needs in the following areas: cognitive, physical, emotional, social and spiritual. We can provide symptom management, procedural support, patient and family support, developmental stimulation, and end-of-life care. Currently, we offer music therapy to in-patients at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. For more information, or to request a referral for your child, please contact us by email.
- Nutrition consultation suggests food choices tailored to your child’s needs that help children and families maintain good nutrition.
- Self-hypnosis focuses the use of imagination to achieve a specific goal.
- Yoga provides physical and emotional healing through breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures.
- Natural and homeopathic supplements and remedies can be appropriate depending on each patient’s unique needs.
Your health plan may require a referral from your doctor or provider in order for charges to be covered by your health plan. Please speak to a representative from your health plan to learn more, or call one of our financial counselors (612-626-5768) if you have questions.
