The Integrative Medicine Service offers touch therapies, mind-body therapies, acupuncture, creative therapies, nutrition counseling, and physical activity/fitness classes. You do not have to be a patient at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to make an appointment. Specialists are available to help you determine which therapies would be of most benefit to you.
For appointments please call 646-888-0800. All therapies are offered at the Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center, 1429 First Avenue at 74th Street; some are available at the Breast and Imaging Center, 300 East 66th Street. Inpatients may receive certain therapies free of charge during their hospital stay.
Download our current schedule.
Touch Therapies
Symptoms commonly treated with touch therapies include pain, muscle tension, post-operative discomfort, musculoskeletal problems, anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, and fatigue.
Individual session
Individual session with senior therapist
Passport* (ten sessions)
Passport with senior therapist
$100
$110
$900
$990
* A Passport to Touch Therapies may be used for any individual therapy normally priced $100.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage includes the use of aromatic plant extracts and authentic essential oils to affect mood and promote health. A very popular stress reliever, it is used to restore balance throughout the body.
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)
MLD, now offered at the Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center and the integrative medicine suite at the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center, is an important part of complete decongestive therapy for patients at risk for lymphedema or with symptoms such as heaviness or discomfort following lymph node dissection during cancer surgery. MLD is a gentle, noninvasive massage technique that directs excessive lymph fluid away from affected areas toward regions of the body that can support drainage. This therapy can reduce the pain and discomfort of lymphedema while promoting relaxation.
Medical Qi Gong Therapy
The oldest therapeutic modality of Chinese medicine, medical Qi Gong integrates focused attention, movement, breathing techniques, and gentle touch therapy that follows the body's meridian map. Benefits include increased well-being, stress reduction, and management of symptoms such as pain, fatigue, nausea, and headache.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage is relaxing and restorative. Through the application of specific techniques that include positioning and support, this special, gentle massage relieves stress and soothes tight and aching muscles.
Reflexology
Reflexology is the ancient practice of applying pressure to specific parts of the feet, hands, and ears. A reflexology treatment is deeply relaxing and helps to reduce stress, relieve pain, increase circulation, and enhance well-being. It's perfect for the busy person on the go.
Reiki
Reiki promotes the healing of physical and emotional ailments through gentle touch. Reiki therapists use light pressure techniques to restore harmony and provide deep relaxation and a sense of clarity.
Repetitive Stress Injury Massage
This type of massage addresses work- and sports-related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, “mouse shoulder,” and “tennis elbow.” In this individual, customized session, various massage techniques are used to relieve areas of pain, restriction of movement, and tension. Our therapists also make recommendations to help clients improve ergonomics when sitting at the computer, playing sports, or performing other repetitive tasks.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu, a type of massage developed in Japan, uses hand pressure and stretching techniques to promote balance and to quiet and center the mind. Depending on the client’s clinical status, our therapists may perform Shiatsu on the floor or on a massage table. Please wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is the most popular type of massage in the United States. It involves the therapeutic manipulation of muscles with a variety of hand movements to relieve muscular tension, stimulate circulation, and induce feelings of deep relaxation and tranquility.
Mind-Body Therapies
Mind-body therapies are often used to combat symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, stress, nausea, weight gain and loss, pain, muscle tension, and headache.
The rate for individual mind-body therapies is $100; for a package of ten, $900. Therapies are customized to fit the needs of all patients and families regardless of clinical status.
Individual session
Passport* (ten sessions)
Private session for couples, family, and loved ones
Mindfulness Practice Group
$100
$900
$120
$20
*A Passport to Mind-Body Therapies may be used for any individual therapy normally priced $100.
Meditation
Meditation teaches us to calm our minds and to be more present in every moment of our lives. This can lead to powerful reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression. Meditation and guided imagery can alleviate pain, as well as other symptoms. Through meditation, we can reconnect with our unique inner strengths, which can be strong allies during times of illness or stress.
Mind-Body Therapy for Couples, Families, and Loved Ones
Meditation, self-hypnosis, and guided imagery are performed alongside a loved one, providing support to both patients and caregivers.
Hypnotherapy
The practice of self-hypnosis is taught, allowing you to harness your own innate and powerful resources and to master the art and science of self-regulation. Benefits include relaxation, reduced pain, improved sleep, improved digestion, and desired behavior change.
Pre-Surgical Self-Hypnosis
Learn practical techniques to manage pre-surgical anxiety, post-operative pain, fatigue, or depression, and to facilitate your return to normal functioning. The session includes an audio CD to support your practice at home.
Self-Hypnosis for Weight Loss
Self-hypnosis for weight loss is a specially designed program to help you lose weight easily and without dieting. The program is creative, fun and empowering.
Mindfulness Practice Group
This weekly group focuses on the practices of mindfulness meditation, the foundation of all meditation traditions. While mindfulness meditation is simple to learn, its benefits are profound and long lasting. A brief conversation with the group leader is required prior to participating, and can be arranged with the front desk. Space is limited. Pre-registration is encouraged, and an individual session with the group leader is required prior to participating.
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 stimulate the body's natural healing abilities, relieve many physical ailments, promote physical and emotional well-being, and assist with lifestyle issues such as smoking cessation and weight loss.
Symptoms commonly treated with acupuncture include pain, muscle tension, neuropathy, dry mouth, headache, musculoskeletal problems, fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, lack of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, weight gain and loss, swelling, hot flashes, and surgery-related arm and leg lymphedema.
Sessions are now also available at the Brooklyn Infusion Center.
Fees for Acupuncture
Individual first session
Follow-up session
Passport* (ten sessions)
Community acupuncture initial visit
Community acupuncture follow-up visit
$120
$90
$810
$55
$40
* A Passport to Well-Being may be used for any individual therapy normally priced $90.
Community Acupuncture
Enjoy the benefits of acupuncture at a lower cost by enrolling in a small group session. You will be among a maximum of six people treated by one of Integrative Medicine's senior acupuncturists. Sessions are now also available at the Brooklyn Infusion Center. A free, in-person consultation is required prior to participating.
Restorative Facial Acupuncture
This therapy uses gentle, pain-free acupuncture and acupressure techniques to help you look better and feel great. Facial acupuncture may improve skin tone and appearance, and minimize fine lines.
Nutrition
Nutrition counseling can help you to improve your health through dietary changes.
Fees for Nutrition Counseling
Nutrition and Cancer Basics (one-hour class)
Focus on Supplements (30-minute session)
Individual Nutrition and Supplement Counseling (one-hour session)
Mind-Body Nutrition Counseling (an hour and a half total)
free
$45
$90
$145
Nutrition and Supplement Counseling
Individual or family sessions offer scientifically based diet and nutrition recommendations for disease prevention. We also offer expert advice on the appropriate use of dietary supplements for disease prevention as well as during treatment. Phone consultations are available.
Mind-Body Nutrition Counseling
Learn an effective weight-management strategy that combines nutritional counseling and cutting-edge mind-body therapy. In a half-hour session with a nutrition counselor and full-hour session with a mind-body therapist, you will acquire the tools and information to help you achieve your weight-management goals. Note: It may not be possible to schedule both sessions for the same day.
Nutrition and Cancer Basics
This free, one-hour class provides dietary guidance for disease prevention and for those undergoing treatment. During the fall season, the class will meet on Tuesday, October 9 and December 11. Please call 646-888-0800 to register.
Focus on Supplements
This half-hour session discusses the pros and cons of over-the-counter dietary supplements, including the possibility of interactions with various medications. Guidelines will be provided for the safe use of supplements, both for disease prevention and for those undergoing treatment. Phone consultations are available.
Visit About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products, our free online resource for both patients and healthcare professionals, to learn more about herbs, botanicals, and vitamins.
Physical Activity & Fitness
Exercise programs can improve strength and endurance while promoting relaxation. Physical fitness also helps relieve pain, muscle tension, weakness, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and stress. Click here to see our group class offerings.
Fees for Physical Activity & Fitness
Private sessions (one hour)
Passport* (ten sessions)
$90
$810
* A Passport to Well-Being may be used for any individual therapy normally priced $90.
Integrative Medicine Service Overview (No Charge)
Meet one of our senior clinicians to learn more about integrative therapies and how they can benefit you. We also offer acupuncture-specific consultations.
Creative Therapies for Inpatients (No Charge)
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.
Dance Movement Therapy (Available to Pediatric Inpatients Only)
Dance movement therapy is a multi-sensory approach that helps patients express their experiences of their illness. Using the tools of movement, dance, music, body awareness, relaxation, and meditation/visualizations, patients explore their feelings and share their concerns. Through experiential activities, patients learn to manage pain and other symptoms, improve self-esteem and body image, develop effective communication skills in their relationships, and create new options for coping with their illness.
Education
Frequent workshops and lectures are available to patients, their families, and members of the community. Please call 646-888-0800 for more information.
