Integrative therapies can help children, teens, and their families experience greater well-being and calm as they cope with the side effects and stress of cancer treatment.
Acupuncture
A standard practice within traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, acupuncture has in recent decades been widely accepted by Western culture as an adjunctive treatment for many illnesses, including cancer.
Acupuncture involves having hair-thin needles gently inserted into the skin at specific points, called acupoints. When stimulated in this way, as well as with heat, acupoints can help us correct and rebalance physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional energy.
Acupuncture is one of the Zakim Center's most popular offerings. Patients describe it as a calming and invigorating experience that can help them manage the symptoms and side effects associated with cancer. This therapy is available for patients ages 8 and up.
Foot Reflexology During Infusion at the Jimmy Fund Clinic
We believe in making a difference in our patients' quality of life, even during their infusion treatment. Two afternoons a week, a Zakim Center's massage therapist spends time in the Jimmy Fund Clinic, offering a combination of foot massage and foot reflexology to patients.
Kids Kicking Cancer and Heroes Circle
The Zakim Center, in partnership with Kids Kicking Cancer, brings martial arts to patients during infusion. Through an evidence-based innovative program that merges modern integrative medicine with traditional martial arts, Kids Kicking Cancer's Heroes Circle program addresses the overwhelming needs of children with illness. Specially trained black belt martial artists teach breathing, visualization, and relaxation techniques, in addition to traditional martial arts moves, to help empower the children and provide them with a sense of power, peace, and purpose.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy involves therapeutic touch and different style strokes to support the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Oncology massage is a type of massage therapy that is adjusted to provide a safe and helpful session for any patient with a cancer diagnosis. Research and clinical experience show that it may help with treatment symptoms such as pain, anxiety and depression, fatigue, insomnia, and nausea.
Oncology massage may be used before cancer treatment, during treatment, and/or after treatment and is recommended for patients ages 5 and up.
The massage therapists at the Zakim Center are all oncology massage therapists and have gone through additional training after their massage therapy education.