Individual Therapies

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Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Integrative Medicine Service offers individual therapies in body work, spiritual/energy therapies, creative therapies, nutrition counseling, and pain relief.

• Touch Therapies
• Mind-body Therapies
• Creative Therapies
• Acupuncture
• Nutrition
• Consultation
• Education

Touch Therapies

• Aromatherapy Massage

  Aromatherapy massage includes the use of pleasing scented essential oils, derived from plants, to engage the senses and enhance relaxation and a sense of well-being.

• Massage

  Massage involves the therapeutic kneading of muscles with long, flowing hand movements to relieve muscular tension, stimulate circulation, and induce feelings of deep relaxation and tranquility.

• Reflexology

  Reflexology is an ancient practice of applying pressure to specific parts of the feet and hands. A reflexology treatment is deeply relaxing and helps to reduce stress, relieve pain, increase circulation, and enhance well-being. Perfect for the busy person on the go.

• Reiki

  Reiki promotes the healing of physical and emotional ailments through gentle touch. Reiki utilizes holistic, hands-on healing techniques for restoring harmony and providing deep relaxation and a sense of clarity.

• Shiatsu

  Shiatsu is the use of hand pressure and stretching techniques to adjust the body's physical structure, helping to maintain optimal health while quieting and centering the mind.

• Thai Massage

  Thai massage is an ancient form of touch therapy that has been used for centuries to relieve muscle tension, increase flexibility, and promote overall relaxation. It utilizes the careful application of gentle pressure, stretching, and rhythmic acupressure.

• Urban Hiker Tune Up

  Urban Hiker Tune Up is for the city walker, biker or runner, and includes a combination of massage and stretching of the lower back, hips and legs to relieve the aches and pains of a fast-paced urban lifestyle.

Mind-body Therapies

• Meditation

  Meditation can help teach us how to calm our minds and to be more present in each of the moments of our lives. This can lead to powerful reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression. Meditation can alleviate pain, as well as other symptoms. Through meditation we can reconnect with our unique inner strengths, which can be a strong ally during times of illness or stress.

• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

  Learn to use meditation as a tool for managing stress. Concepts, content and number of sessions will be customized to meet your unique needs.

• Guided Imagery

  Guided imagery has many of the benefits of meditation, but uses our imagination and virtually all of our senses to create a deep sense of comfort, relaxation, and nurturance. Visualization is a skill that you can practice with a therapist, or on your own.

• Self-Hypnosis

  Self-Hypnosis is a powerful and natural resource that we all have capacity for. We can learn to use this tool more effectively in our lives to reduce anxiety, decrease pain, manage phobias or eliminate negative habits (e.g., smoking). Hypnotherapy prior to surgery or treatment can alleviate anticipatory anxiety, enhance recovery, reduce need for pain medication, and activate the body's optimal strengths.

• Pre-Surgery Hypnosis Program

  Learn to use self-hypnosis to reduce pre-surgery anxiety, minimize post-operative fatigue and depression, optimize your return to normal function, and more. Program includes 60- and 90-minute hypnotherapy sessions, plus creating a customized audio practice tape.

Creative Therapies

• Music Therapy

  Music therapy uses music to encourage healing and promote a general sense of well-being. Under the guidance of a professionally trained music therapist, patients listen to or perform music, which enhances relaxation, creativity, pleasure, and self-expression and helps reduce pain and feelings of isolation.

• Sound Therapy

  Sound therapy, an ancient method of healing, is based on the idea that everything in the universe, including the human body, is in a constant state of vibration. Sound therapy restores balance and provides a sense of calmness and inner peace that allows the body to begin its healing process.

Acupuncture

• Acupuncture

  Acupuncture is a safe, painless, and effective form of traditional Chinese medicine. Disposable, ultra-thin needles are applied to specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system to release certain chemicals in the brain. The improved energy and balance stimulates the body's natural healing abilities, relieves many physical ailments, promotes physical and emotional well-being, and assists with lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation or weight loss regimens.

• Restorative Facial Acupuncture

  Restorative facial acupuncture is a method of gentle, pain-free acupuncture and acupressure that revitalizes the mind and body - a wonderful way to look better and feel great.

• Tui Na (Acupressure)

  Tui Na is a traditional Chinese technique using hand pressure to specific points of the body to deeply relax muscles and promote blood circulation. Tui Na can help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve physical well being.

Nutrition

• Nutrition and Supplement Counseling

  This individual session includes scientifically-based recommendations for healthful eating to encourage optimal well-being, as well as expert advice on the proper use of supplements both for disease prevention and during treatment.

• Nutrition and Cancer Basics

  A free one-hour class that will give participants a basic introduction to what diet may have to offer for those undergoing treatment or those interested in disease prevention. Class will meet the second Tuesday of every month from 6:00-7:00 PM. Please call 212-639-4700.

Consultation

• Meet one of our clinicians to learn more about the therapies offered at the Integrative Medicine Service and how they can benefit you. We also offer acupuncture specific consultations. (Consultations are free of charge).

Education

• Frequent workshops and lectures are available to patients, their families, and members of the community. Please call 1-212-639-4700.