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Heartspring Wellness Center
Program Overview
Services and Classes
Staff
Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Integrative Medicine terms
- Acupuncture and acupressure
- Acupuncture and acupressure has been an integral part of healing in Southeast Asia for over 5000 years. Acupressure or puncture are methods for releasing blockages in energy flows throughout the body (chi or qi through meridians) by stimulating acupoints with pressure or needles. Placebo controlled studies have shown acupuncture to be helpful for reducing pain and nausea, softening scars from surgery, improving vitality and possibly helping immunity.
- Bodywork
- Bodywork is a generic term referring to any of a number of modalities within which the practitioner touches or manipulates parts of the body to create a sense of increased comfort, ease, and energy.
- Cognitive reframing
- A form of counseling that focuses on the thought patterns that have gone awry and are causing trouble for a person. By zeroing in on the falsely based thoughts, and “reformatting” them, a person can come to a more wholesome view from which healthy behaviors naturally stem.
- Guided imagery
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Guided imagery uses the power of the mind by introducing mental images to focus on, usually with a particular goal in mind. Imagery has been found to boost the immune system, reduce pain and induce a deep state of relaxation.
- Herbs/dietary supplements
- Most modern medicines have their origins in herbs. As an integral part of all ancient healing modalities in every country, herbs have continued to play a part in health and well-being for many people. It is important to realize that herbs are not inherently “safe” even though they are whole foods. Herbs have effects in the body, and can also have side effects and interactions with other medicines. Please consult a knowledgeable herbalist and your physician if you have questions about the interaction of any particular herb with medicines you are taking.
- Individual psychotherapy
- Sessions with a trained psychotherapist include keying in on individual responses, diagnosis and treatment, and reframing attitudes and beliefs, which interfere with maximum healing.
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- Massage
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Massage therapy involves pressing, rubbing, and otherwise manipulating muscles and other soft tissues of the body, causing them to relax and lengthen and allowing pain-relieving oxygen and blood to flow to the affected area. Massage is considered effective for relieving any type of pain in the body’s soft tissue, including back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, bursitis and tendonitis.
- Meditation
- A series of focusing exercises that induce the mind into a state of quiet receptivity. There are many styles of meditation, some using active imagery (as above), and others more contemplative. Meditation can be used in combination with many other techniques and has consistently been shown in studies to be beneficial for health problems.
- Mind-body work
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Mind-body work utilizes the benefits of bodywork combined with insight counseling to increase, at a deep level, self-understanding. By releasing pent-up energy, and by relaxing areas that are tense, a person can more easily see and understand the habits of thought or behavior that originally caused the discomfort.
- Progressive relaxation
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This therapy involves the successive tensing and relaxing of each of the 15 major muscle groups. Performed lying down, one generally begins with the head and progresses downward, tensing each muscle as tightly as possible for a count of five to 10 and then releasing it completely. Often combined with deep breathing, progressive relaxation is particularly useful for reducing stress, relieving tension and inducing sleep.
- Qigong
- The ancient dynamic and flowing movements of qigong are the basis for the martial arts, Tai Qi Chuan and Taoist Yoga. Often described as “meditation in motion,” Qigong offers a simple but powerful approach to strengthening and relaxing the body at the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. This profound practice has restored people’s health and enthusiasm for life for many thousands of years. It is safe and fun for both young and old, healthy or ill.
- Reiki
- Reiki is a Japanese term for “universal life energy” and aims to connect this energy with the body’s innate process of healing through gentle, hands-on techniques. There is currently a study underway at the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network to examine the therapeutic effects of Reiki.
- Stress reduction and relaxation sessions
- Simple and enjoyable techniques to release chronic and acute tension, reduce pain and symptoms and enhance ease of movement, immune function and enjoyment of life.
- Yoga
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A time-honored form of exercise that unifies the mind and body with gentle stretches and breathwork. Yoga fosters inner harmony and balance, alignment and a greater sense of well-being. Yoga is a great form of stress reduction.
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