Integrative Health

Integrative Health

In 1997, Beebe Medical Center established the Department of Integrative Health, which specializes in the integration of conventional medicine and alternative health practices. Integrative Health provides complementary and alternative education and services to inpatients, outpatients, community organizations, and healthcare professionals. Emphasis is on the concept of wellness, with a focus on prevention, disease management, and rehabilitation through lifestyle modification, stress and pain management, and education. The staff and medical director work in conjunction with conventional medical treatments and practitioners.

The goals of Integrative Health are to combine complementary and alternative medicine with conventional care:

  • To promote wellness and prevention through healthy living
  • To increase awareness and understanding of alternative and complementary medicine
  • To offer additional methods to aid prevention and healing
  • To offer public and professional education and resource services
Integrative Health Services

Wellness and prevention methods:

  • Acupressure
  • Acupuncture
  • Aromas
  • Biofeedback
  • Guided Imagery
  • Herb Information
  • Laughter Yoga
  • Massage
  • Meditation
  • Music / Sound
  • Tai Chi / Qi Gong
  • Touch
    • Reiki
    • Therapeutic Touch
    • Hawaiian Laulima (Laying of Hands)

Wellness classes
Classes vary but may include:

  • Acupressure Self-Care
  • Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Chronic Pain
  • Healing Through Listening
  • Laughter Yoga
  • Meditation Drumming
  • Mindfulness Meditation (MBSR)
  • Qi Gong
  • Reiki Meditation
  • Self-Hypnosis for Stress and Pain
  • Stress Management

Other Services:

  • Fibromyalgia Support Group
  • Herb Information Website
  • Newsletter
  • Professional Education
Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Acupuncture

  • One of the most researched and documented alternative practices
  • Originated in ancient China using insertion of hair-like needles and other means to stimulate flow of life force energy called "chi"
  • Conditions treated include osteoarthritis, chemotherapy-induced nausea, asthma, back pain, menstrual pain, bladder instability, migraine, chronic pain, and addictions

Aromas

  • Essential oils extracted from plants are used to help with sleep, stress, nausea and pain

Music / Sound

  • Music and the sounds of nature aid relaxation and sleep
  • Anxiety and pain are lessened

Meditation

  • A self-directed practice of calming the mind and body
  • Studies show benefits including reduction of chronic pain, anxiety, high blood pressure, serum cholesterol levels, substance abuse, blood cortisol levels related to stress, and post-traumatic stress as well as an increase in intelligence-related measures
  • Used widely in programs for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, AIDS, arthritis, and chronic pain

Biofeedback

  • Uses instruments to monitor and feed back to patients physiological information of which they are normally unaware. Patients learn to control bodily processes.
  • Used to treat a wide variety of conditions including stress, addictions, sleep disorders, epilepsy, respiratory problems, incontinence, partial paralysis, migraine, hypertension, gastrointestinal and vascular disorders, blood pressure, and more

Yoga

  • Includes ethical precepts, dietary prescriptions, and physical exercise
  • Recent studies show that yoga practice helps reduce anxiety, blood pressure, respiratory rate, metabolism, and cholesterol levels in addition to helping with arthritis and smoking cessation

Massage Therapy

  • Scientific manipulation of the soft body tissues to return them to their normal state
  • Reduces stress and pain, and increases lymphatic drainage and general healing

Herbal Supplements

  • The World Health Organization estimates 80% of the world population presently uses herbal medicine
  • Research supports positive results in a variety of chronic illnesses

Tai Chi / Qi Gong

  • Part exercise, part marital art, part spiritual practice developed about 600 years ago in China
  • Helps reduce stress, depression, pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia
  • Decreases risk of falling with Parkinson's disease and aging

Healing Touch

  • Reiki derives from ancient oriental practices
  • Therapeutic Touch developed in the 1970s in the U.S.
  • Increases function — decreases time for wound healing, and reduces pain, stress, and anxiety
  • Involves little or no physical contact

Relaxation

  • Various methods elicit the body's relaxation response
  • Useful for stress, pain, addictions, immune function, and general well-being

Imagery

  • Vividly imagining the desired outcome while in a relaxed state of mind and body with or without the aid of a practitioner
  • Used to control pain, overcome phobias, treat addictions, and improve immune function and physical performance

Self-hypnosis

  • A technique of altered consciousness to help focus attention and foster relaxation
  • Useful to overcome addictions, reduce pain, and relieve irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and arthritis

The staff and medical director work in conjunction with conventional medical treatments and practitioners.

Spring 2012 Integrative Health and Wellness Calendar

Introduction to Plant Based Nutrition
Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Dorothy Greet is a heart attack survivor and is reversing her heart disease through plant-based eating (heartattackproof.com). She will talk about disease prevention and reversal. Dorothy is retired clergy and holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University as well as other degrees. Dorothy Greet, M.Ed, M.Div
Cancer Support Community – 645-9150, Rt 24, 18947 John J Williams Highway

Effects of the Near Death Experience
Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Jayne Smith had a near death experience in 1952 while giving birth to her second child. Her experience has been documented in two books and is the subject of a video entitled “Moment of Truth”. She has been a guest on Oprah Winfrey, CBS Morning News, Charlie Rose Show and People Are Talking. Jayne Smith
Cancer Support Community – 645-9150, Rt 24, 18947 John J Williams Highway

Recent Research on Herbs and Supplements
Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
With new studies published every day, it is difficult to keep abreast of the latest data. Dr. Jani will cover the latest research to help you safely and wisely partner with your physician. Uday Jani, MD
Cancer Support Community – 645-9150, Rt 24, 18947 John J Williams Highway

Ho’ o pono pono: Hawaiian Healing and Forgiveness * Laughter Yoga * Reiki Meditation for Stress and Pain.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
There are many methods from various cultures that can help us heal mind, body and spirit. Cheyenne Luzader has studied with Hawaiian healers and has been granted the authority of Kumu (teacher). As such, she shares a traditional practice of hands on healing and forgiveness. She is also a certified Laughter Yoga leader and shares the work of Dr. Kataria of India on laughter yoga. As a Reiki Master/Teacher, she shares a Japanese self-healing meditation based on the work of Master Usui. Cheyenne Luzader, MS, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, Reiki Master/Teacher, Coordinator of Integrative Health
Epworth Methodist Church – 227-7743 x107, 19285 Holland Glade Rd

Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Thursday March 15, 2012, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Most people associate chiropractic care with headaches, neck and back problems. Our interest in the spine is because it houses the nervous system that carries vital communications between your brain and your body. There are many other benefits of chiropractic care. Dr. Briggs specializes in pain management and acupuncture with an office in Midway in Rehoboth. He is an Allied Health Practitioner with Beebe Medical Center‘s Integrative Health program. Douglas Briggs, DC
Epworth Methodist Church – 227-7743 x107, 19285 Holland Glade Rd

Laughter Yoga
Thursday March 15, 2012, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
This is part of a co-sponsored program with the University of Delaware, RSVP, Alzheimer’s Association and the Cordrey Center. Free registration.
Cheyenne Luzader, MS, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader
Lewes Public Library 2nd floor. – 945-3489, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes

Sexuality and Intimacy
 Monday, April 9, 2012, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Berlin leads a discussion to help us understand the challenges of intimacy and sexuality especially as we grow older and face changes physically, mentally and emotionally. He emphasizes the important role of communication and intimacy in health. Dr. Berlin specializes in obstetrics and gynecology with Bayside Health Association in Lewes. He was formerly medical director for Integrative Health. Steven Berlin, MD
Cancer Support Community – 645-9150, Rt 24, 18947 John J Williams Highway

Reiki Meditation for Self Care for Stress and Pain
Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
As a Reiki Master/Teacher, Cheyenne Luzader shares a Japanese self-healing meditation based on the work of Master Usui. Cheyenne Luzader, MS
Cancer Support Community – 645-9150, Rt 24, 18947 John J Williams Highway

Updates on Fibromyalgia
Thursday, April 12, 2012, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue. People with Fibromyalgia have chronic widespread pain that is made worse by even light pressure. It is mainly treated with changes in lifestyle such as nutrition, exercise and stress reduction. However, other therapies can be helpful. Dr. Baldt, an Allied Health Practitioner with BMC, has a chiropractic office in Millsboro. Christopher Baldt, DC
Cancer Support Community – 645-9150
Epworth Methodist Church – 227-7743 x107, 19285 Holland Glade Rd

Hawaiian Lomilomi Training
Thursday, May 3rd – Sunday, May 6th, 2012, 8:00 a.m.
Tuition and Education credits. Kahuna Harry Jim (Call 645-3528 for details)

Benefits of Acupuncture
Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
The Chinese practice of acupuncture is thousands of years old but is new to Western medicine. Some scientific studies are supporting its effectiveness. Denise Demback will discuss the various disorders that are usually treated by acupuncture. Ms. Demback is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist with a practice in Milton. She is an Allied Health Practitioner with Beebe Medical Center‘s Integrative Health program. Denise Demback, L.Ac.
Epworth Methodist Church – 227-7743 x107, 19285 Holland Glade Rd

Download Beebe's Integrative Health Department
Newsletter and Programs List
Websites for Integrative Medicine
Contact us for more information
  • Department of Integrative Health
    Beebe Medical Center
    424 Savannah Road
    (First Floor across from Visitor's Elevators
    East Zone – 15)
    Lewes, DE 19958
    Phone: 302-645-3528