Patient Care

Healing Arts - Complementary and Alternative Therapies

The Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center provides patients access to forms of complementary or alternative therapies for treating medical conditions or improving overall health.  The non-traditional approaches include Healing Touch, Reiki, Massage, Music Therapy, and Expressive Arts Therapy.

Healing Touch
Healing Touch is a component of holistic care within the nursing profession and among complementary care practitioners.  The Healing Touch program was developed by Janet Mentgen, RN, BSN.  It is a certification program requiring 3-4 years of study and a year-long mentorship.  Healing Touch is endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association.  Energetic interventions may help move energy blockages which impede the body's ability to move through life issues, and restore energy.

Reiki (pronounced Ray-key)
Reiki uses universal life energy that is infused into a person's biofield through the energy centers of the body, which correspond to the glands of the endocrine system.  The innate wisdom of the body directs where the energy will be used to stimulate the body's capacity to heal itself.  Reiki originates in the East where it has been practiced for over 5,000 years.  Reiki can be learned by anyone to heal the self and others.

Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is theraputic manipulation of muscles to release tension and reduce pain while promoting relaxation as well as physiological response.

Jenn visits a patient at the Children's Hospital for a music therapy session.

• Relaxation
• Pain Relief
• Decreased anxiety
• Wound, joint, and bone healing
• Improved body image
• Improved sleep
• Socialization
• Cognitive stimulation
• Self-expression

Complementary Therapies Help in Healing:

• Childhood Issues
• Life Transitions
• Grief
• Addictions
• Eating Disorders