These healing methods can help patients of all ages living with cancer, persistent pain or many other acute and chronic conditions. Integrative medicine is not alternative medicine; rather, it complements your existing treatment plan. Our specialists will work closely with you and your care team to find the right therapies to optimize your health.
Our integrative medicine services are conveniently available through Central Maine Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency Program, and through referrals from your primary care provider or medical specialists.
Enhancing Your Wellness, Head to Soul
Experience the difference integrative medicine at CMH can make in your total health and quality of life:
Medically proven therapies: Through the years, research has repeatedly shown the benefits of adding complementary practices to standard medical care. These evidence-based options may include bodywork, such as massage, yoga or Reiki. Treatments to reduce pain, like the ancient art of acupuncture. Attention to nutrition, with the addition of foods and herbal or vitamin supplements. All may help you better manage health issues. Central Maine offers many of these services directly or can refer you to trusted community providers, as needed.
Highly trained specialists: CMH has board-certified and fellowship-trained integrative medicine physicians on staff, giving you access to some of the most experienced specialists in all of Maine. Collectively, our team has advanced training in a number of integrative therapies, including osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), yoga therapy and more.
We are also members of the Academic Consortium of Integrative Medicine and Health, joining other prestigious medical centers. This allows us to continuously exchange ideas with the nation’s leading providers and bring the latest and most effective complementary treatments to our communities.
Fully personalized approach: We understand that every patient is different. Our integrative medicine specialists take the time to listen, then create a personal wellness plan based on your unique needs and beliefs. We also know that you are the expert in your own care experience. We’re here to support what you know to be your body’s natural healing potential, while making sure your preferred treatments are safe and work well with your overall care.
Types of Integrative Medicine Therapies
Whether you’re dealing with a recent diagnosis or chronic condition, we believe you should have a full spectrum of treatment options to help you heal. The integrative medicine specialists at Central Maine Healthcare are highly trained in complementary therapies that go beyond just treating symptoms and address all factors that affect your well-being.
Integrative medicine is not a substitute for conventional medical care, but works along with your current treatment. These evidence-based therapies can address immediate concerns while also helping you develop healthier skills throughout your life. As your partner, we’ll help find therapies that feel right to you and fit your personal needs and beliefs. We also work in close collaboration with your primary and specialty care physicians to ensure a safe and seamless plan of care.
Proven Therapies for Your Whole Health
Your personal care plan may include one or a combination of integrative therapies. We offer many services directly through the Central Maine Medical Center Family Residency Program, or through referrals to trusted providers throughout central and western Maine. Common options include:
Acupuncture: The word “acupuncture” actually refers to a group of treatments. The most common form involves placing thin needles into the skin to stimulate specific places in the body. This may cause the production of natural painkillers and also improve blood flow, which enhances healing. Research shows that acupuncture can help relieve pain and discomfort, including common side effects of cancer treatment like nausea. It’s also often used as a complementary treatment with in vitro fertilization (IVF), helping regulate ovulation and balance the body and hormones for women struggling with fertility.
Acupuncture has been practiced in Asian countries for thousands of years, and today is one of the most commonly used integrative therapies in the world.
Yoga Therapy: Yoga is an ancient practice combining body movement, breathing exercises and meditation to help center the mind, body and spirit. Practitioners of yoga report many benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety, increased relaxation and sense of well-being, better flexibility and strength and an effective way to help manage a wide range of health conditions, including chronic joint pain. There are more than 100 different forms of yoga, but the goal is the same: to bring about wellness where needed.
The Y at CMMC Fitness Center offers regular yoga classes with certified instructors. For more information visit the Y’s website and start bringing harmony to your health.
Reiki Therapy: Reiki is a Japanese, spiritually based form of healing. Practitioners help patients by transferring healthy energy to promote calmness, ease stress and help achieve a better sense of physical, emotional and spiritual balance. Reiki therapists lightly place their hands on various energy places, such as the shoulders and back, while guiding you through breathing techniques. You remain clothed during the sessions, which last about 30 minutes.
Reiki is available for CMH patients of the Dempsey Center and for anyone looking to enhance their well-being.
Homeopathy: Homeopathy is the practice of medicine that embraces a holistic, natural approach designed to stimulate the body’s own curative power. Homeopathic remedies, which have benefited people for over 200 years, involve tiny amounts of natural substances, like plants and minerals. Generally, the lowest dose is considered the most powerful medicine. Your integrative medicine specialist at CMH will prescribe the remedy that best matches your symptoms at all levels of your being —physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is a type of hands-on therapy used to prevent, treat and manage conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system — nerves, muscles, joints and bones. OMM therapy works by using techniques like stretching, gentle pressure and resistance, and can help patients of all ages, newborns to seniors. At CMH, these integrative therapies are performed by licensed doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO), who have both standard medical education as well as specialized training in whole-person care.
Tai Chi: Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that today is practiced as a healing, fluid form of exercise. It involves a series of slow, low-impact, continuous movements, along with deep breathing. Tai Chi has many different styles, but the principles of mindfulness and cultivating the flow of energy are the same. Numerous studies have shown tai chi to have a number of health benefits, including reduced stress, more muscle strength and flexibility, enhanced immunity and improved overall quality of life, just to name a few. Certified tai chi instructors can teach you specific positions and breathing techniques to safely practice on your own.
Other Healing Options we specialize in:
- Herbal and dietary supplements
- Hypnosis
- Massage therapy
- Meditation
- Medical nutrition prescriptions
- Social work and integrative mental health counseling
- Medical nutrition prescription and dietary education