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Hackensack University Medical Center is committed to providing an environment where patients can complement their medical care with holistic modalities and alternative therapies. Integrating conventional medicine with complementary medicine promotes overall health and enhances healing. Whether your goal is to stay well, heal, achieve relaxation, or nurture a healthy lifestyle, the center offers both individual and group programs to blend complementary modalities into your healthcare plan.

Our commitment to this patient-centered approach is anchored by our affiliation with Planetree, a renowned non-profit organization whose holistic approach encourages healing in all dimensions — mental, emotional, spiritual and social, as well as physical. HUMC, the only Planetree affiliate in New Jersey, subscribes to this value-based philosophy that hospitals can best serve its patients, employees, and the community by providing medical care in a nurturing environment.

Complementary Alternative Medicine

It was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that an estimated number of annual cisits to providers of alternative medicine exceeded the number to all U.S. Prinary care physicians.

A 1998 research study reported that 70 percent of all Americans do not tell their physicians they are practicing alternative therapies. Hackensack University Medical Center opened The Center for Health and Healing to help patients and physicians safely utilize and better understand complementary medicine and its relationship with their conventional medical treatments and to enhance our current healthcare delivery system.

What is Chiropractic Medicine?

Chiropractic Medicine is practiced by a liscensed doctor of Chiropractic who diagnoses and treat conditions related to the effects of those conditions on the nervous system and general health.

Chiropractic Doctors today use natural non-invasice treatment approaches. These methods specifically include spinal adjustments (specific Manipulation, exercise programs and other forms of therapeutics to help patients eliminate their pain and optimize their health. These methods may also be used to teach injury prevention. In addition, lifestyle modifications may be suggested to further enhance the healing effect of chiropractic treatment.

About our Unique Program

The Center for Health and Healing and Hackensack University Medical Center provides our community with state-of-the-art outpatient complementary and alternative health programs. The integration of Chiropractic Healthcare into a unique patient centered environment provides patients the best of medical and complementary health services.



      Our Planetree Affiliation
      Therapies and Techniques
      Integrated Programs
      Programs for Cancer Patients
      Making Appointments and Program Enrollment
      Financial Arrangements and Insurance Coverage

Our Commitment to Health and Healing
Deeply Rooted in the Planetree Philosophy   Planetree, a non-profit organization, is considered a pioneer in personalizing, humanizing, and demystifying the healthcare experience. The planetree, also called a sycamore tree, is the type of tree under which Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine, sat when he began teaching his medical students many centuries ago. The roots of a planetree grow deep, just as the Planetree approach does in each of its affiliates.

Enhancing Life While Restoring Health   Planetree's approach — and ours as New Jersey’s only Planetree affiliate — is to maximize healthcare outcomes by integrating complementary medical therapies with conventional medicine. The Planetree Model is patient-centered rather than provider-focused and is committed to improving medical care from the patient's perspective. It empowers patients and families through information and education. The committed focus is on providing services that enhance life while restoring health.

Taking Care of the Caregivers   Another key component of the Planetree Model is the formation of “healing partnerships" with caregivers. This is accomplished by creating a nurturing environment for staff members as well as patients. Taking care of our caregivers enhances employee morale and promotes a healthier atmosphere for them, their patients, and family members.

(Click here for more information about the Planetree approach.)


Therapies and Techniques
The therapies and techniques available at The Center for Health and Healing are provided in a soothing, natural environment that reflects our commitment to enhancing well being and promoting wholeness and healing. Modalities include: Massage Services
The Center for Health and Healing offers the following types of massage services: Therapeutic Massage
Professional therapeutic massage is the holistic application of physical touch to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. Massage is an excellent modality for stress reduction because it induces a relaxation response. It also reduces muscle tightness, improves muscle flexibility, strengthens the immune system and promotes healthy circulation. Massages are available in 60- or 30-minute sessions, and chair massages are available as well.
Stone Meditation Massage
This integrative technique begins with the placement of warm stones on your back to relax you, which is followed by a meditation exercise to ground you. The session continues with the use of Reiki, then concludes with a therapeutic massage.

Pre-Natal Massage
Massage during pregnancy can help women maintain a sense of well-being throughout their pregnancy. Pre-natal massage also can increase flexibility and may slow the development of varicose veins. It relieves stress, fatigue, muscle/joint pain and stress headaches. It also can prepare them for the birthing process in several ways. It may help prevent premature labor, reduce the duration of labor and increase mental awareness. Benefits following birth include decreased postpartum depression and enhancement of breastfeeding.

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Reflexology
Reflexology is a natural healing art that uses acupressure of the feet to bring the body into balance. It is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet that correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Gentle pressure is applied to corresponding reflex zones on the feet to relieve tension, improve circulation and promote the natural function of the related areas of the body.
Reiki
Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese word (Rei means universal and Ki means life force). This form of energy healing uses the “laying on of hands,” meaning that the practitioner simply rests his or her hands directly on key locations of your body, applying little or no pressure. The intention behind this energy transfer is to open one’s healing channels. Reiki relaxes and de-stresses, as a flow of subtle energy promotes healing on all levels. For most people, Reiki is experienced as a warm, relaxing, glowing or tingling sensation. Typical sessions last from 30 to 60 minutes.

Yoga Services
The Center for Health and Healing offers the following types of yoga: Yoga
Yoga utilizes the body, mind and spirit through breathing exercises, stretching postures and meditation techniques. Participants of yoga describe achieving a state of tranquility and peacefulness that clears the mind, calms the soul and rejuvenates energy. Yoga provides the physical benefits of increased strength and flexibility. It also relieves stress, gives mental clarity, promotes healing and grants inner peace and serenity. The form of yoga practiced at The Center for Health and Healing is Svaroopa™ Yoga, which uses body alignment and precision in a gentle and compassionate approach for the purpose of healing, transformation and transcendence.

Pilates
This unique exercise combines diaphragmatic breathing with a mind-body focus on spine alignment and musculoskeletal balance. All movement is initiated from the trunk — or core — of the body, and Pilates concentrates on improving this core body strength by isolating and strengthening the rectus and transverse abdominus, deep internal stabilizers, back extensors, back stabilizers and trunk rotational muscles.

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Meditation
The deep relaxation of meditation is intended to heal the body, quiet the mind, and provide a sense of inner balance. Both group and individual meditation sessions are available.

Guided Imagery
Guided imagery empowers your mind to distance itself from stress-producing situations such as illness, career or other daily activities. It is available for general health and healing, and it also is an excellent way to prepare for surgery and other medical procedures.

Holistic Nutritional Counseling
The Center for Health and Healing offers a comprehensive consultation for holistic nutrition. We can access your nutritional goals and objectives and develop recommendations for a food-based plan of care that takes into account your chronic disease or symptoms. We will conduct a safety review of the types of supplements and herbs that you take. In addition, we can review your prescribed medications and be certain that any herbal supplements you take are not contraindicated (should not be taken together).

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Integrated Programs
These approaches integrate several types of complementary medicine therapies and techniques with specific goals tailored for each program:
  • Stress Management Program
  • Dragon’s Way Program
  • Reach© at the Beach: A Retreat for Healthcare Providers
    Stress Management Program
    The Stress Management Program helps you to develop coping skills to handle stress in a nurturing, constructive way. Strategies include mindful     meditation, relaxation techniques, massage therapy, an exercise plan, nutritional guidance and herbal supplements. Classes are scheduled over a 12-week period, and many sessions can be arranged around your personal schedule. Click here to read more details about the Stress Management Program.

    Dragon’s Way Program
    Dragon’s Way® is a general wellness program based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles. The goals of the program are to manage stress (which is the number one enemy of a healthy body) and regain your natural ability to heal yourself. The Dragon’s Way® is one of wisdom, a way where freedom of body, mind and spirit flow. Each session of the eight-week program focuses on a different aspect of TCM, including painting, calligraphy, music, martial arts and     Feng Shui. By the end of the program, you will have a deeper understanding of the root cause of your health issues and understand why harmony and balance are so vital to your health. Click here to read more details about the Dragon’s Way Program.

    REACH© at the Beach: A Retreat for Healthcare Providers
    REACH© (Rejuvenating Energy and Creating Holism) at the Beach is self-care retreat for healthcare professionals who are looking to manage stress and increase their body-mind-spirit connection. It is usually held on a Saturday at a location by the New Jersey shore. Click here to read more details about     REACH© at the Beach.

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    Making Appointments and Program Enrollment
    To schedule an appointment or enroll in a program, call 201-996-4325 (HEAL). The team of practitioners at The Center for Health and Healing will assist you with any questions as they help you integrate complementary medicine into your health care plan. After your initial visit and a review of your medical history, we will consult with your physician(s), if necessary, to develop a plan based on your individual needs and goals.

    Financial Arrangements and Insurance Coverage
    To inquire about fees for services, call the center at 201-996-4325 (HEAL). Payment for individual sessions are expected at the time of service. Some financial arrangements can be scheduled over time for multiple session programs.

    If you plan to apply to your insurance company for coverage, we ask you to call your carrier to understand your benefits. Insurance companies are continually changing their guidelines and policies regarding complementary medicine services. To assist you in gathering this information, click here to read

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