Care
P r o g r a m
I n t e g r a t i v e
any people have tried these therapies, which may seem strange at first because they are different. They are offered to you because we often ask ourselves, “Can we do more?” We think the answer to this question is, “Yes, of course.” Doctor’s appointments, lab tests, x-rays, and surgery are clinical ways you might treat a disease or medical condition. You may also choose to add integrative therapies that take care of the mind, spirit and body, enhancing the overall quality of your life.
The word “integrative” comes from the Latin verb meaning “to complete.” Integrative therapies, simply, help complete the mainstream care you are given by treating all parts of you. Western medicine often specializes in treating parts of people, but integrative care treats the whole body, mind and spirit. It focuses on the person with the condition, not the condition itself.
Since 1994, the Integrative Care Program at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island has blended a unique combination of traditional and complementary therapies to help patients achieve wellness physically and emotionally, before, during and after treatment. Integrative therapies can be used to help you manage disease symptoms such as fatigue and nausea, and to help relieve stress for you, your caregivers and others. We extend our services to the general public. In doing so, it helps us continue to offer therapies and other programs for free or at a nominal fee for individuals touched by cancer, no matter where they are being treated.
The Integrative Care Program offers therapies at locations in Providence, South County and Middletown, RI, and Fall River, MA.
All about you
Integrative care empowers you to participate in your own health care. Instead of simply turning to health care professionals for a diagnosis and treatment, you can choose to enhance the process with sessions of complementary therapy. Working with complementary therapists can help you achieve total wellness. Acupuncture, for example, seeks to balance the subtle energies in your body. Other hands-on therapies—such as massage, reflexology and reiki—approach your physical and psychological states as one mind-body, helping you feel better.
Here to help
Women & Infants offers a variety of integrative therapies to help patients, caregivers and others in the community. Some are offered as individual sessions, other in groups. They include:
Acupuncture Reflexology Ayurveda Hypnotherapy
Relaxation Massage Organic Skincare & Facials
Precision Massage Yoga/dance/therapeutic movement classes Prenatal Massage Nutrition & Wellness
Thai Bodywork Expressive Arts Workshops Private Yoga Lymphedema
Reiki
Specialized lymphatic drainage therapy is also available for patients who develop lymphedema, or swelling, in their arms or legs after surgery.
While integrative therapies are not a
substitute for proven medical treatments,
we believe they can improve the quality
of life for some women and their families.
Can we do more?
reflexology
Integrative Care Consultation
Physical healing is only part of the puzzle. The Integrative Care Program can enhance your quality of life through therapies and programs that complement medical care and focus on the mind, body and spirit. This informative session will introduce services and programs available to you and your caregivers, evidence-based research on symptom management and more.
Staff will guide you if you are interested in complementary treatments. In keeping with our mission of education, the integrative care team collaborates with the clinical staff to provide patients, caregivers and the general public with accurate, reliable information to help make informed decisions about overall health and well-being. Call us to schedule a session and a tour of any one of our facilities at no charge.
To schedule any type of therapy at any of the
locations served by the Integrative Care Program,
please call us at (401) 274-1122, ext. 8756. Some
therapies are free, others have a nominal fee.
reflexology
A natural healing therapy, reflexology is a pressure-point foot treatment with whole-body benefits. Stimulation of these points can release patterns of stress and tension held within the body.A session with one of our certified reflexologists can also help increase circulation, reduce pain, and promote a deep sense of relaxation and well-being for you.
Sessions are $35 for oncology patients, their caregivers and the community.
reiki
reiki
Reiki is a holistic healing practice that promotes well-being through relaxation and stress reduction. A calm body will experience better health, healing, and surgical outcomes. Reiki is an ancient Japanese form of hands on treatment designed to balance flow in the body by effectively eliciting the “relaxation response” to release stress and tension. The deep relaxation and stress release experienced can help the body’s immune response by creating a sense of balance and well-being.
Our certified practitioners perform Reiki with light touch while you are fully clothed. It is a gentle but powerful complementary therapy to relax the body, reduce stress, reduce pain, ease emotional distress and enhance the body, mind and spirit connection.
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acupuncture
Acupuncture, practiced around the world for thousands of years, was developed from traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of symptoms and diseases. The classic Chinese explanation of acupuncture is that it treats energy imbalances in the body and any resulting symptoms by activating the body’s own healing potential. Acupuncture is widely recognized for relieving pain, hot flashes, enhancing immunity, increasing energy or fertility, treating and preventing diseases, and boosting relaxation and general well-being.
The acupuncturist uses sterile needles the size of a hair to stimulate the body’s energy channels. The needles rarely cause any discomfort and the treatment is safe and gentle. Researchers believe that stimulating specific acupuncture points can help manage the side effects of cancer treatment such as nausea, neuropathy, headaches, pain and discomfort. Acupuncture is particularly helpful for physical problems related to tension, stress and emotional conditions.
Sessions are $35 for oncology patient and their caregivers, and $50 an hour for the community.
nutrition/wellness
Diet is an important part of our health, especially if you havea chronic disease like diabetes or are being treated for cancer. Choosing the right balance of foods can help you maintain strength and energy during treatments and improve your overall health.
Foods can affect your mood, energy level and overall sense of well-being. A session with a nutritionist can help take a holistic approach to mind and body wellness. You will develop a healthier diet that is customized to meet your individual needs. You can also explore the benefits of complementary herbal and vitamin therapy with the nutritionist.
nutrition/
mind-body techniques
People have long used their minds to draw on their bodies’ naturalabilities to prepare for and enhance medical treatment. Our mind-body facilitator uses relaxation and visualization techniques to help implement beneficial suggestions that address your specific concerns. Many have found hypnosis and/or guided imagery reduces levels of pain, discomfort, anxiety, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, stress, and even sadness.
Beyond alleviating these symptoms, the mind and emotions can be directed to create a positive attitude toward treatment and healing, while increasing levels of well-being, confidence and a sense of calmness Sessions are $35 for oncology patients and their caregivers, and $50 an hour for the community.
Acupuncture and Hypnotherapy Combined Session
Hypnotherapy techniques can activate a person’s inner resources without conscious interference much like acupuncture in its effectiveness. Therefore, when acupuncture is used in synergy with hypnotherapy they empower and bring about lasting change.
natural skin care/facials
Our estheticians customize treatments to meet your skin’s special needsand rejuvenate aging or dry skin, clarify dull or oily skin, or moisturize and calm dry, irritated skin. A multi-action treatment using a pure exfoliate opens pathways and delivers powerful pigment-suppressing vitamins and antioxidants to create healthy skin cells, followed by a personalized purifying mask to promote regeneration to revitalize the skin.
We use all-natural organic skin products infused with vitamins, fruit acids and bioflavonoids that treat, nourish and beautify the skin. We offer the Signature Pure Radiance Facial, which is 60 minutes, and the 90-minute Custom Transformation Facial.
Sessions for oncology patients and their caregivers are $45 an hour or $65 for 90 minutes. Sessions for the community are $60 an hour or $90 for 90 minutes.
lymphedema
massage therapy
lymphedema
Lymphedema occurs when the lymph system is damaged or blocked. Fluid builds up in soft body tissues and causes swelling. It is a common problem that may be caused by cancer and/or cancer treatment. Individuals who have had lymph nodes removed and/or radiation therapy may have a risk of developing lymphedema.
Lymphedema usually affects the arm(s) or leg(s), but it can also affect other parts of the body.
Our program specializes in Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), a technique of manual lymph drainage, compression bandaging, exercises and skin care, the gold standard in medicine to treat lymphedema.
CDT must be done by a specially trained therapist, so that the therapy is effective. Our staff are professionals who have had advanced training and have been certified. Our goal is early intervention and care management to help lower risk of developing lymphedema and/or to reduce symptoms.
Lymphedema therapy is offered at several locations throughout RI and Massachusetts for your convenience.
massage therapy
massage
When the body relaxes, it heals. Our experienced massage therapists can help patients release tension, aches and pains. The Integrative Care Program offers a wide range of massage and massage enhancements, including:
Relaxation massage – Relax and restore your vital energy with a soothing whole-body massage. Tension and accumulated stress will be relieved with each stroke. This massage uses Swedish-style movement incorporating long strokes and kneading techniques that increase circulation, improve skin and muscle tone, and soothe tired muscles. The cost for oncology patients and their caregivers is $35 an hour or $50 for 90 minutes. For the community, the cost is $50 an hour or $70 for 90 minutes.
Personalized precision massage – Allow your massage therapist to design the ultimate massage experience for you, incorporating various techniques from holistic relaxation to therapeutic deep tissue. This style is directed toward specific areas of tension and imbalance in the muscular system. The cost for oncology patients and their caregivers is $40 an hour or $55 for 90 minutes. For the community, the cost is $60 an hour or $85 for 90 minutes.
Prenatal massage – Our classic prenatal massage is adapted to provide complete comfort and safety for both of you as your muscles are massaged with a refreshing blend of oil formulated especially for pregnant women. The cost for patients and their caregivers is $40 an hour or $55 for 90 minutes. For the community, the cost is $60 an hour or $85 for 90 minutes.
Thai BodyWork – This ancient healing art form gives the benefits of massage, yoga and energy work in one nurturing dance. Traditionally given on a floor mat with clients fully clothed, Thai bodywork is a whole-body treatment that combines passive stretching and movement of joints with several touch techniques and work along energy meridians. The whole treatment is a graceful, nurturing, interactive dance that is sensitive to the condition of each person. The effect is greater flexibility, flow of energy, deep relaxation, and feeling of well-being. The cost for oncology patients and their caregivers is $40 an hour or $55 for 90 minutes. For the community, the cost is $60 an hour or $85 for 90 minutes.
classes/workshops
classes/
workshops
Classes and workshops are offered at different times and locations. For more information, go to the hospital’s website at womenandinfants.org/oncology or refer to the Integrative Care schedule.
Ayurveda – Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old holistic medicine that focuses on all of life’s aspects—physical, emotional and spiritual—and offers timeless remedies to the stresses and illnesses of the body and mind. At the heart is the understanding of the human constitution. Ayurveda practitioners believe constitution influences functional patterns such as appetite, sleep, reaction to stress, concentration and more. A person’s constitution determines the best exercise, meditation, sense therapies and daily routine to stay healthy. The goal is to create a lifestyle that meets your unique needs to achieve optimal health. Individual consultations and group sessions are offered. The cost is $35 an hour for oncology patients and their caregivers and $50 an hour for the community.
Fitness for Health – Exercise and movement are essential for a long and healthy life. We offer a range of activities to get you moving and increase your energy. Our team of certified fitness professionals will help you tailor a program to meet your needs, from gentle stretching to rigorous workouts, and from dance classes to restorative yoga. The cost is $60 for a six-week session or $12 for drop-ins.
Nia – Nia is a sensory-based movement practice connecting the body, mind, emotions and spirit through the integration of yoga, martial arts, dance arts, and healing arts. This total-body cardiovascular fitness program empowers people of all shapes and sizes to positively change the way they look, feel and live. The cost is $60 for a six-week session or $12 for drop-ins.
classes/workshops
Poetry Project – People of all ages and stages of life find comfort in the words of those who have faced physical, emotional or spiritual difficulties. The Poetry Project encourages participants to share their thoughts, a poem they have written, an enlightening moment or something they have read or heard that helped them. These written and spoken dialogues are collected and made available to all Program patients. Participation in this is free.
Yoga Therapy – Yoga works to integrate the mind, emotions, body and spirit. Learn self-awareness through breathing techniques, yoga postures, meditation and relaxation skills. Whatever your motivation or level of experience, yoga offers profound benefits that will affect all areas of your life. A variety of yoga classes are available to suit your specific needs, including Restorative Yoga, Yoga for Wellness, and Yoga of the Heart.
The cost is $60 for a six-week session or $12 for drop-ins.
classes/
other offerings
Animal Companion Program – The therapeutic use of animals as companions has become increasingly popular. Animals provide valuable contact for patients confined for treatment and they are known to boost morale, relieve depression and decrease anxiety and stress. Our dog visitation program gives patients and their families a constant source of comfort and a healthy diversion from the usual hospital routine. Animals in this program are carefully chosen for their friendly disposition. Animals are confined to the areas where patients want their company.
Places for Prayer and Meditation – Our interfaith chapel is located in the hospital’s main building and is open 24 hours a day. It was created as a quiet and peaceful place for patients, family, friends and staff. A wide variety of religious and spiritual resources for all faiths are available in the chapel. In addition, the hospital has a Healing Garden on the fourth floor and a Meditation Room off the main lobby for patients and family members to find quiet and calm.
other
locations
Complementary therapies are offered in the locations listed below. Please call the location most convenient to you to set up a session. PROVIDENCE
Program in Women’s Oncology One Blackstone Street
Providence, RI 02905
T (401) 274-1122, ext. 8756 F (401) 277-3601
FALL RIVER, MA 373 New Boston Road Fall River, MA 02720
T (508) 235-3500 F (508) 679-1205
MIDDLETOWN
Center for Health and Well-Being 333 Valley Road
Middletown, RI 02842
T (401) 846-0042 F (401) 846-0117
WAKEFIELD
Center for Health Education – South County 49 South County Commons Way, Bldg. F5 Wakefield, RI 02879
T (401) 846-0042 F (401) 783-9946
Some integrative care therapies, including lymphedema therapy, are offered to patients at Women & Infants. For in-house appointments, call (401) 276-1122, ext. 8756.
Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
A Care New England Hospital
Affiliated with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University 401-274-1100 womenandinfants.org 101 Dudley Street
