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Integrative Wellness

Healing Your Whole Self Rather Than Just Treating A Disease.

An integrative approach to cancer care focuses on how the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements are all interconnected to improve and maintain your health. We encourage the use of these holistic approaches to work in tandem with your treatment plan. We work closely with all of your providers to assure these offerings support your treatment and ultimately improve your quality of life.

Generous donations allow us to offer the following services to our patients at a free or reduced cost. For rates and scheduling, please call (319) 558-4876.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy encompasses the holistic practice of utilizing essential oils to support the health and well-being of the individual. It can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally aromatic essences from plant to balance, harmonize and promote the health of the body, mind and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process.

Massage Therapy

More than just relaxation, massage therapy can actually improve your health. Our licensed massage therapists can help alleviate common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation such as neuropathy, fatigue and post-surgical muscle pain. Massage is also a great way to combat the emotional strains of cancer and its treatment.

Medical Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional form of Chinese medicine in which thin needles are used to stimulate pressure points throughout the body. Medical acupuncture is used to describe acupuncture performed by a doctor trained and licensed in Western medicine who has also had thorough training in acupuncture as a specialty practice. At the Nassif Community Cancer Center, that doctor is Dr. Nancy Lorenzini. Dr. Lorenzini practices anesthesiology with Linn County Anesthesiologists in Cedar Rapids. After completing her anesthesiology training she later began her medical acupuncture coursework with the Stanford-affiliated Helms Medical Institute. She is now a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. The procedure is safe and painless and has an extremely low risk of complications. Although medical acupuncture does not target tumors or prevent cancerous cells from spreading, it can be a beneficial part of a patient’s overall care.

Acupuncture Paperwork

You may print and fill these out and bring them to your first appointment.

Meditation

Meditation is a mental exercise that helps you find relaxation, inner peace, and creativity as well as emotional and physical balance. It is not part of any religion. It is a precise technique for resting the mind and attaining a state of consciousness that is totally different from the normal waking state. When you meditate, you are fully awake and alert, but your mind is not focused on the external world or on the events taking place around you. Meditation requires an inner state that is still and one-pointed so that the mind becomes silent. Once you learn the technique it can be done anywhere and anytime.

Please call (319) 558-4876 to learn more or visit our event calendar to find the next class.

Healing Energy Work

Healing Energy Work transcends cultures, faiths and beliefs. Its gentle touch is a respite for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. The Healing Energy Worker uses her expertise in Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry, Integrative Energy Therapy, Reiki, and Veriditas Labyrinth to blend the technology of modern science with the gentle regeneration of compassionate healing. Healing energy work allows patients, survivors and caregivers to receive a calming, healing benefit and the opportunity to relax, recover and let distress flow away. Patients report reduction of stress, decreased pain and an acceleration of the healing process.

Hear From Our Experts

Integrative Wellness

Podcast Episode: 25

Matt Schmitz, CSCS, joins Dr. Arnold do discuss various forms of integrative wellness and how they can complement traditional treatment.

Meet Your Team

Integrative Wellness

Plough, Sheri

About Sheri Plough, is a restorative and chair yoga instructor at the Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center. Sheri first became interested in yoga after attending a class taught by

Integrative Wellness

Hanigan, Lisa

About Lisa Hanigan, is a yoga and meditation instructor at the Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center. Lisa has been a yoga instructor for the past 15 years and a