Complementary Therapies
Complementary therapies often work well alongside traditional cancer treatments to help improve a patient's quality of life. St. Luke's provides Reiki and Integrative Imagery services to cancer patients by appointment only. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 319/369-7836.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a technique for reducing stress and promoting healing. During the session, the patient remains clothed and lies in a bed or sits on a chair. The practitioner's hands lightly touch or are placed near various areas of the body, including the head, shoulders, stomach, legs and feet. Patients feel relaxed and often fall asleep during a session. Sessions for patients in the hospital are scheduled around other therapies and usually last 20-30 minutes, depending upon available time. Patients that use Reiki indicate that it reduces stress, decreases the need for pain medication, improves sleep and appetite, and accelerates the healing process. They also indicate that Reiki reduces many of the unwanted side effects of radiation and drugs, including chemotherapy. Reiki can be very beneficial in a hospital or outpatient setting.
What is Integrative Imagery?
The mind is a very powerful tool that when used create positive or negative thoughts. The body reacts to these thoughts as if they are reality. For example, a person having a nightmare that they are being chased by a ferocious tiger fearing for their life will awaken with their heart pounding, their eyes dilated, breathing heavily and sweating profusely. They were not really being chased by a tiger but their mind thought they were and the body reacts to those messages. Worry is a negative example of something that may happen in the future. A person who learns to harness the power of the mind may 'imagine' how they see their body healing or decrease the amount of pain medication needed after surgery. During an imagery session, the patient remains clothed and lies in a bed or sits on a chair. The practitioner helps the patient become very relaxed through instruction. The patient's images are then developed according to their initial intention. Integrative imagery may be used in all areas of a person's life, from preparing for a job interview or a marathon to getting ready for surgery. Sessions are typically 30-60 minutes in length.
