WINDBER — Reiki, aromatherapy, massage and acupuncture treatments offered in Windber Medical Center’s Institute of Integrative Medicine are offered to enhance modern medical care, not as substitutes.
“The combination of therapies is definitely the way to go,” said Cindy LeComte, the hospital’s principal partner for ancillary services. “We use physicians and medical practitioners and other professionals to explore all your options.”
Windber leaders object to the term “alternative” when it comes to nontraditional options, preferring “integrative” or “complementary.”
“They are not replacing traditional treatments. They are just supplementing them,” said Darrell Ellsworth, senior director of Windber Research Institute’s heart program.
Windber’s staff develops personalized treatments using different modalities, often using complementary therapies for stress reduction, LeComte said.
“We aid relaxation before and after surgery,” LeComte said. “They have been in the (operating room) holding area. That is really a stressful area while you are waiting. With music or somebody to massage your hand, you don’t feel alone anymore. You feel like someone cares.”
Many of Windber’s integrative medicine programs are overseen by Dr. Craig Fockler, a family physician certified in acupuncture.
“We have been very conscious with any new modality to focus on education, continuing education and research,” LeComte said.
While Ellsworth admits the complementary programs often have little evidence-based studies to back them up, Windber is taking a first step to develop some of that evidence.
A study funded through Yamaha Music & Wellness Institute of Meadville is examining the effectiveness of music therapy at the molecular level, Ellsworth said.
Heart patients in the study used special electronic keyboards to improvise music as part of their therapy. Windber’s scientists then analyzed proteins created in patients’ cells to look for music-generated changes.
Initial results should be available in a few months.
An ongoing study of patients in the Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease is also tracking changes in participants’ cells.
Ornish is a regimented diet and exercise program that also includes relaxation and stress reduction components from Windber’s integrative medicine options.
The idea is to find out what molecular changes are related to positive outcomes, what treatments are associated with those changes and how to maximize the benefit.
Local News
Institute defends treatments
- Local News
-
-
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
