MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's Hospital (MHBBCH) supports pediatric patients with proven alternative therapies for a positive health care experience focused on well-being, not just disease.
Holistic care for children with chronic or life-threatening disease
Our staff physicians provide expert integrative care for children with chronic or life-threatening disease. Integrative care augments conventional medicine with effective alternative therapies that promote overall well-being and healing. Alternative therapies can be tailored to the unique needs of each young patient – body, mind and spirit.
Our approach to care
- A partnership between patient and practitioner in the healing process
- Appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods to support the body's natural healing response
- Consideration of all factors that influence health, well-being and disease, including mind, spirit and community – as well as the physical body
- Recognition that good medicine should be based in good science, be inquiry driven, and be open to new ideas
- Use of natural, effective, less-invasive interventions whenever possible
Integrative Medicine Services
In addition to conventional medicine (sometimes called allopathic or western medicine) by board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians, we may also recommend:
- Nutrition and diet counseling
- Exercise and physical activity
- Whole body systems such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture, Ayurveda, naturopathy and homeopathy
- Botanical medicine
- Energy medicine including Reiki, healing touch and qi gong
- Nutritional supplements
- Spiritual care
- Manual medicine including osteopathic manipulation, chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, reflexology and zero balancing
- Mind-body medicine including hypnosis, biofeedback, guided imagery and creative/arts therapy
- Yoga
A patient’s initial consultation lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes and will cover medical history as well as any lifestyle considerations, values or beliefs that may influence treatment options. A variety of treatment options are discussed with the patient and family, and a personalized care plan is established.
