We offer holistic therapies to help you cope with the many ways a cancer diagnosis can affect your life. From mental-health counseling to massage, we’re here to help support your personal path to wellness.  

Why Choose Us for Integrative Oncology Services?

Highlights of our program include the following:

• Coordinated care: Our cancer doctors meet regularly with other team members, including integrative medicine professionals. This close communication ensures we have a full picture of your health and can best meet your needs.
• Easy access: Our integrative oncology professionals are never far. Massage therapists and reflexologists (who use pressure points on the hands and feet to ease stress) are mainstays in our infusion centers and radiation therapy rooms. For many patients, a short massage provides a welcomed sense of calm.
• Personalized care: People respond to holistic therapies differently, and no one experiences cancer exactly the same way. If you have any questions about which therapies may benefit you, reach out to any member of your care team. Customizing care to your needs and goals is what we do best.
• Wide-ranging services: We have plenty of options that include massage, pet therapy, art, and exercise programs. Your care team can help you find an outlet that fits your needs and feels right to you. 

What Is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative medicine is another name for holistic therapies (also called alternative therapies). 

Holistic therapies may help you cope with the stresses of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. For some people, these therapies can reduce treatment side effects or ease uncomfortable emotions, such as anxiety.

Holistic therapies serve as a valuable supplement to conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Our Holistic Cancer Services

When you trust Kettering Health for your cancer care, you get access to an array of holistic therapies at no cost.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses plant-based extracts (essential oils) to provide comfort. Our nurses may offer a cotton ball with a drop of peppermint or lavender oil to patients feeling anxious or queasy during treatments such as chemotherapy.

Exercise therapy

Physical activity can help you cope with stress or relieve pain or anxiety. Through a partnership with Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, our cancer patients have the option of working with certified exercise physiologists on-site at certain cancer center locations. You work with professionals trained in oncology exercise and oncology rehab to develop healthy exercise habits during cancer treatment.

Massage therapy

Our certified massage therapists provide services at our four cancer centers. Appointments are available at your convenience if you would like to receive a medical massage.

Massage therapists also work in our infusion centers and radiation therapy wings. They perform shorter massages for patients receiving therapy.

Meditation

In collaboration with the Heartfulness Institute, we offer meditation classes. Classes welcome people of all abilities and experience levels.

Mental-health counseling

Our team includes mental-health nurse practitioners with subspecialty training in oncology and mental health. They work exclusively with cancer patients and can help you work through any emotional challenges.

These professionals work one-on-one with cancer patients who experienced specific mental-health struggles prior to a cancer diagnosis. They also assist people having a difficult time coping with a diagnosis.

Nutrition counseling

Our registered dietitians (trained nutrition experts) connect with you throughout the care process. They can assess nutritional status and offer guidance on how your eating habits can affect your body’s healing abilities.

Our dietitians can also help you manage any diet-related difficulties you’re having due to cancer treatment. 

Pet therapy

Certified pet therapy dogs, led by a specially trained handler, make scheduled visits to our infusion centers and radiation oncology wings. Research shows that animal interaction, such as petting a dog, can reduce blood pressure and tension.

Reflexology

Reflexology is the art of relieving tension by applying pressure to specific parts of the hands or feet. Our reflexologists regularly offer their services to patients in our infusion centers and radiation therapy wings.

Spiritual services

As a faith-based organization, we seek to demonstrate the healing love of God to our patients and families as well as the greater Dayton community. We value prayer and faith as an important part of healing.

Chaplains at each of our cancer care locations provide spiritual support and guidance to people of all faiths and backgrounds. You’re also welcome to seek respite in our on-site chapels at our cancer care facilities.