The purpose of complementary therapy is to "complement" conventional medicine by stimulating the body�s natural healing power.

Massage therapy, Yoga, and T�ai Chi are three complementary therapy treatments offered at Alegent Health

We encourage communication with your personal physician if you are seeking services related to a medical disorder.

Massage Therapy
Yoga
T'ai Chi
Wellness
Complementary Medicine Events

Massage Therapy
Alegent Health recognizes the benefit of massage in the overall health of the individual. Massage therapy is available to patients during their stay in the hospital. In addition, the Lakeside Wellness Center offers full massage menu with accredited staff ready to schedule your appointment.

Therapeutic massage is an ancient tradition involving a holistic approach to better health. It involves the manipulation of soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) to promote optimal health and maintain body function. Many people today use massage therapy to reduce stress from their busy hectic lives.

Benefits of Massage
Massage helps to create an improved sense of well-being, and has been shown to:

• Promote energy and relaxation
• Improve circulation, skin tone and flexibility
• Help release chronic muscle tension and pain
• Reduce mental and physical pain
• Promote healing of injured muscle tissue
• Reduce Stress
• Reduce arthritic discomfort

Massage Modalities:

Swedish
The most popular and widely know form of massage therapy. This therapy uses a combination of techniques to relax muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscle strain by breaking up the lactic acids stored in the muscles and flushing them out. It also helps reduce emotional and physical stress and is often recommended as a regular part of a stress management program.

Acupressure and Shiatsu
Acupressure relieves pain and muscle tension, and helps prevent illness by using the tough of hands on the meridian and corrects energy imbalance. Likewise, Shiatsu is a system based on the body�s energy meridians. Shiatsu massages are usually done fully clothed and involve pressing points o the body and stretching and opening the energy meridians.

Reflexology
Reflexology is based on the belief that there are areas on the feet and hands that correspond to parts of the body ( i.e.: internal organs and joints). Points on the feet and hands act as a reflex system that will stimulate blood and nerve supply to all organs and tissues of the body. There are over 7200 nerve endings on the feet alone.

Sports massage
Sports massage can be used before and after participating in an event, and greatly speed recovery form a soft tissue injury. It focuses on specific muscle groups to reduce muscle spasms, tendonitis and muscle fatigue. It is also beneficial for low back pain, sciatica, whiplash and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Pregnancy massage
Massage is particularly beneficial for expectant mothers as it not only promotes physical well being, but also helps prepare women psychologically and spiritually for the labor and birth of a child. During pregnancy, the combination of weight gain and raging hormones, altered body shape, increased blood volume and shifting the center of gravity, all contribute to why pregnancy women feel uncomfortable, emotionally and physically. Massage can provide an excellent means of relieving body stress, but also help her deal with emotional fears and concerns.

Yoga
Yoga is the oldest known form of exercise which combines movement through postures, breathing practices, relaxation techniques and an introduction to meditation to reawaken your mental control of movement, flexibility and health.

Class activities can be tailored to enhance each individual�s body since flexibility and strength are unique to each person. Yoga exercise can produce a variety of benefits including:

• Managing and reducing stress
• Increasing energy
• Improved strength and muscle tone
• Increased flexibility and range of motion
• Improved posture and balance

T�ai Chi
T�ai Chi is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that focuses on the cultivation of chi or Qi (pronounced "chee") which means vital energy. Tai Chi is the study of change and how to adapt to change while maintaining physical and mental balance and is sometimes described as "swimming on land."

T�ai Chi is a very slow exercise, with mindful and deliberate movements. As participants move through these slow motion movements, their minds become calm, their breathing deepens and slows and their muscles relax. All of these changes happen while the muscles are simultaneously toning, stretching and strengthening.

Regular practice of T�ai Chi has been shown to produce a variety of benefits, including:

• Reduced stress
• Increased energy
• Improved concentration, attitude and mental clarity
• Improved body awareness
• Improved balance
• Increased muscle strength and muscle tone

Wellness
We know that a woman is a unique integration of mind, body and spirit, and we have a full range of wellness classes in the University of Healthy Living to attend to that integration. There are programs addressing weight loss, relaxation, parenting, exercise, yoga, T�ai Chi, journaling, spirituality, and healthy cooking. The Alegent Health Wellness Center is the area�s only medically based wellness center. Located on 171 ^st and West Center Road, at Lakeside HealthPark, this facility is particularly interested in women�s wellness. The center offers a full range of exercise classes, some especially designed for women, including a Weights for Women class and pregercise. Other features of the facility include a full range of exercise equipment, spa treatments, including stone therapy massage, a club style locker room with a whirlpool, steam room and sauna, a warm therapy pool, in addition to a 25 yard lap pool, personal training services and nutrition counseling.

Complementary Medicine Events
For a listing of current offerings for Massage, Yoga or T�ai Chi visit the Alegent Health Events Calendar.