Oncology patients who have been diagnosed with cancer are offered holistic therapies, which complement traditional methods like chemotherapy and radiation, to enhance their quality of life.
Experts in nutrition, integrative medicine, fitness and psychiatry coordinate a plan of care customized to each patient. Patients are then able to learn the value of integrating healthy food, relaxation techniques, exercise and emotional support into their treatment plan. Wellness Coordinator for the Health and Wellness Program at NWH, Marilyn Leroy Sterling, is proud of the program. “I have patients who choose NWH for their chemotherapy or radiation treatments precisely because they are offered integrative therapies,” said Sterling.
Doctors agree that appropriate nutrition is a vital component in treating cancer. Through the Nutritional Assessment and Planning Program, doctors provide each patient with a customized diet plan and monitor patient progress against overall goals. In addition to nutrition, cancer patients have access to an array of treatments including acupuncture, aromatherapy, M Technique Touch Therapy, Reiki, reflexology and more.
Oncology patients are actively involved in choosing the therapies they receive from the Cancer Health and Wellness Program at NWH. With a selection of evidence-based integrative cancer therapies to choose from, patients customize their treatment plan to find comfort in holistic healing. For example, patients who may feel particularly sensitive after traditional treatments can choose to have M Technique Touch therapy, which uses gentle touch to produce relaxation responses in the brain.
The program's doctors and staff meet with the Hospital's Care Coordinator and Medical Director to discuss all aspects of care in order ensure each patient is receiving the best coordinated care possible. The Cancer Health and Wellness Program is available to all NWH patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.