Altru Health System’s complementary therapies are integrative services
blended with conventional medicine. This holistic approach to healing
encompasses physical, mental and spiritual health.
Integrative therapy, such as pairing medication and meditation to lower
blood pressure, aids in restoring balance to support the body’s
natural healing processes and enhancing holistic health.
All services are offered free to patients during their hospital stay with
the exception of massage, chiropractic and music services. If you have
questions regarding these therapies, please contact your nurse.
Mind, Body and Spirit
Aromatherapy
Uses plant oils to ease pain, nausea, anxiety, depression and stress
Promotes a sense of well-being
Art Therapy
Offers another language for communicating ideas and emotions
Outlets for artistic expression include activities that engage creativity
and may promote healing
Exercise
Stimulates body
May improve self-confidence, minimize depression, increase appetite, boost
energy, reduce tension and anxiety, and stimulate the immune system
Guided Imagery
Forms mental images of places or situations
Includes the senses of smell, sight, sound and textures to relax and relieve pain
Humor Therapy
Uses the power of smiles and laughter to aid healing and cope with illness
Journaling
Expresses experiences, feelings and thoughts in writing
Helps organize thoughts, assess emotions, reflect, ease tension and identify
emotional or physical needs
Meditation
Has many different forms, including reflection and prayer
Calming meditation involves focusing on a single object while breathing
deeply, repeating a word or phrase, or visualizing a peaceful place
Can reduce stress, anxiety, depression and pain
Mindfulness
Teaches you to focus all your attention on the present moment, nonjudgmentally
Encourages you to respond to daily life with a sense of calmness and well-being
May help reduce anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and other symptoms
related to chronic illness
Music Therapy
Addresses physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs
Relaxation music and imagery is available on
Altru’s Channel 2, The Care Channel
May promote communication, change mood, enhance relaxation, reduce anxiety
and pain, promote healing and improve blood pressure and heart rate
Pet Therapy
Uses animals to improve the physical and emotional well-being
May encourage communication, foster a sense of security and well-being,
enhance the sense of feeling needed and loved, and improve blood pressure
and heart rate
Relaxation
Involves techniques to calm the body and quiet the mind
Includes deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and more
Benefits may include reducing anxiety, fear, depression and pain
Relaxed Breathing
Involves breathing by using your diaphragm
Goal is to take in more oxygen and reduce the use of shoulder, neck and
upper chest muscles to increase breathing efficiency
Known to decrease body tension, lessen stress and manage pain
Spa
Individualized pampering, including hair grooming, hand and foot massage,
nail care and polishing
May enhance self-image, promote relaxation, decrease stress and alleviate anxiety
Spirituality
May expand your support system, calm fearful and lonely feelings, promote
inner peace and connectedness with self, others, nature, universe and/or
a superior being
Manipulation and Touch
Chiropractic
Manipulation of the spine promotes healing by normalizing the relationship
between its structure and function
Most commonly treats lower back pain, neck pain and headaches
Available at the Sanny and Jerry Ryan Center for Prevention and Genetics
Healing Touch
Gentle touch and over-body movement assists in balancing physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual well-being
Works with your energy field to support natural healing
May reduce stress, anxiety, depression, pain and nausea
Massage
Includes rubbing, stroking or kneading soft tissue for comfort and healing
May decrease muscle tension, relieve pain, promote relaxation, increase
circulation and boost energy
