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Biofeedback (Outpatient Clinic)
Biofeedback training teaches children powerful skills for relaxing their body and calming their mind. Biofeedback training has decades of research on its effectiveness for reducing pain, stress and anxiety. It is also used for peak performance training, mental conditioning and focus training. Simple sensors are used to pick up signals from the body that children learn to control through computer displays and computer games. They get to learn to change how their mind and body work, feeling more in control and having fun doing it.
Yoga Instruction (Outpatient Clinic)
Research confirms the health benefits of regularly practicing yoga. Our Integrative Care Clinic offers personalized yoga instruction to support your child’s journey to greater health. Our yoga instructors are certified by the Yoga for the Special Child Program. Each private yoga session is gentle and tailored to meet the patient’s needs at the time of the appointment. Sessions include breathing techniques to quiet the body and mind, gentle postures for strengthening and stretching, practical focusing exercises for relaxation, healing and wellbeing. Benefits that patients can expect from routine practice include:
- Improved coordination, flexibility, balance, self-regulation, confidence, stamina, focus and concentration
- Acquisition of practical take-home tools for conditions such as anxiety and insomnia, and the management of chronic pain and stress
Music Therapy (Inpatient)
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. Music therapists do a global assessment of a child’s emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through responses to music and the playful use of musical instruments. Music therapists design sessions for individuals and groups based on the patient’s needs. These sessions incorporate receptive music listening, improvisation, imagery, song writing and more. The unpressured, creative and playful environment helps children relax, reduce their pain, feel comforted and stay in touch with all that they are beyond their illness. Music therapy is integrated into their treatment planning with evaluations and follow-up.
Healing Touch (Inpatient)
Healing touch is an energy-based therapy that supports the body's innate healing capacities. Certified healing touch practitioners use gentle movements of their hands − either lightly touching the body or several inches above it − to soothe and balance the patient. Healing touch assists in creating an environment of safety and harmony to comfort a frightened child. Children and families attest to it helping to relieve pain, promote relaxation, and reduce the anxiety and stress of medical treatments or procedures. Many have also found it comforting for dealing with death and dying.
Therapeutic Massage
The gentle application of therapeutic massage assists in creating an environment of healing for children and their families. Children with chronic illnesses or with limited mobility can become stiff and sore, or a child may feel frightened or lonely. The healing touch of a licensed medical massage therapist is comforting, soothing and caring. Scientific research shows it improves circulation, promotes ease of movement and relaxation while reducing pain and anxiety. Massage therapy supports the body’s natural ability to heal. Therapeutic massage may include craniosacral therapy or lymphatic drainage therapy.
Cincinnati Integrative Care Collaborative
Cincinnati Children’s and the University of Cincinnati are partners with community integrative medicine practitioners in Greater Cincinnati to expand access to evidence-based integrative therapies to those seeking a holistic approach to care. We are members of the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, whose goal is to improve health outcomes through health promotion, disease prevention with an active focus on well-being and high quality of life for all. For more information about the CICC, call 513-636-2463.
