Healing Arts Therapies

We recognize the importance of body, mind and spirit in the healing process. As a Heart Care patient, you can choose among various healing arts therapies to help you recover.

The therapies we offer act as a complement to the rest of your medical care. Research continues to show promising results when healing arts are used to promote relaxation and balance, especially during times of potential stress.

In the spirit of combining the best technology with your own inner healing resources, we offer several choices that may be used separately or together.

Guided imagery

The guided imagery process uses your memories, dreams, inner perceptions, visions and senses to connect the mind, body and spirit. Guided imagery has shown to reduce pain and anxiety. It is often used to increase relaxation prior to procedures and to facilitate sleep.

At St. Joseph's, guided imagery is provided through an audio series called Health Journeys. Titles include:

General Wellness
Healthful Sleep
Pain
Successful Surgery
Talking to Your Heart (Created by Geri Lane, CSJ, HealthEast Spiritual Care)

Music intervention

Music can be used to enhance the healing process. You can choose from several selections to help you relax.

Healing touch

Healing touch is an energy-based healing therapy. It helps the body relax, allowing healing to occur.

A healing touch practitioner applies his or her hands to the body or slightly away from the body to promote healing. This therapy has helped our patients reduce pain, stress and nausea. It has also promoted relaxation and sleep. This light touch therapy has been very effective for both patients and staff.

Healing touch therapy can be incorporated any time during your hospitalization to enhance your healing process.

Essential oils

Essential oils are plant extracts that are used to restore balance to the body, primarily through the sense of smell. The chemical aspect of the essential oil triggers the limbic system of the brain, which affects mood, emotions, memory and learning. At St. Joseph's, the essential oils used for treatment come from organically-grown plants.

If you are interested in using essential oils in your healing process, your nurse will provide guidance in the appropriate use.

We currently use these essential oils:

Lavender - A pure oil used to promote sleep, reduce muscle tension and anxiety and enhance a sense of well-being.
Ginger - A pure oil used to relieve nausea.
Mandarin - An essential citrus oil used to relieve nausea and promote relaxation.