Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine (also known as complementary medicine) refers to treatment practices and products used in combination with traditional Western medicine. These practices often focus on the connection between the mind and body for overall health and for healing and pain relief.
Cape Cod Healthcare recognizes the growing interest in holistic approaches to health and wellness, and integrating what is sometimes referred to as alternative medicine into the treatment for illness. As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive, personalized healthcare for our community, we offer several resources.
It’s important to inform your healthcare providers of any complementary approaches you use. Helping them understand what you do to manage your health will help ensure you receive safe, coordinated care to meet your needs.
Cape Wellness Collaborative
Providing free-of-charge integrative therapies for Cape Cod Healthcare oncology patients.
Cape Wellness Collaborative partners with local wellness professionals to provide free integrative therapies to cancer patients. These are available to all who are undergoing or recovering from cancer treatments such as radiation and/or chemotherapy, as well as patients receiving cancer-related palliative care.
- Acupuncture
- Art & Music Therapy
- Chiropractic
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Energy Work
- Massage
- Meditation
- Nutrition
- Pilates
- Reflexology
- Reiki
- Yoga
Request an application for a free Cape Wellness Collaborative gift card worth $250 in treatments through your oncologist or at patient registration.
For more information, visit www.capewellness.org
Complementary Therapy interventions at Falmouth Hospital
Falmouth Hospital has made Complementary Therapy interventions available as support for the body’s natural healing processes and to educate patients about becoming pro-active participants in their wellness since 2000. The Complementary Therapy modalities offered at Falmouth Hospital are gentle, holistic, non-invasive treatments and may include:
- Therapeutic Touch
- Reiki
- Guided Imagery
- Reflexology
These interventions provide relaxation, comfort, and are safe, effective non- pharmacological assistance for managing anxiety, stress and pain. They are used in combination with the best standards of western medical and surgical care to introduce a dimension of mind/body medicine to support body mind and spirit during treatment and recovery.
Available to all Falmouth Hospital patients, pre-operatively as well as during hospitalization, these services are provided at no charge. To arrange an appointment or for more information, please call Integrative Health Services of Falmouth Hospital at 508-457-3760.
Complementary therapies offered by the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod
The VNA of Cape Cod offers unique complementary services through their hospice program and/or their public health and wellness options:
- Aromatherapy
- Reiki
- Music therapy
- Pet therapy
- “Telling Our Stories” – a program in which our patients’ life stories are recorded and a CD is provided for future generations to treasure
For more information about these programs, contact the VNA at (800) 631-3900.
Living Fit for You! Cancer Wellness Program
Overall wellness is an essential component of cancer recovery and quality survivorship.
Exercise has been proven to be safe and effective during cancer treatment. As well, there is a profound impact on the recovery process in patients with cancer both physically and emotionally.
- Reduce the severity of treatment side effects
- Reduce fatigue and depression symptoms
- Preserve muscle mass and strength
- Maintain flexibility and endurance
- Improve energy levels and self-esteem
- Help to prevent unwanted weight changes
This is a FREE, six-week hospital-based and supervised fitness program. Exercises are tailored to each person’s needs and modified as appropriate so that each participant can work at their own pace.
2 LOCATIONS! Exercise classes are held at Cape Cod Hospital & Falmouth Hospital.
Medical Clearance is required
Contact: Kristine Whaples, MS, Registered Exercise Physiologist at 508-495-7685 or email kwhaples@capecodhealth.org
Community resources for Integrative Medicine
We recommend these resources when seeking a directory of practitioners who specialize in healing modalities:
