It is becoming a national trend across the country where promoters of traditional medical care are recognizing the benefits of combining traditional therapy with integrative therapy for better patient care.

Whether hospitals use the nontraditional methods of dog, music, art, aroma or massage therapy to enhance traditional patient care, patients and health care workers are noticing remarkable results.

To keep up with these growing demands in health care, Phoenix College now offers those professionals already involved in the industry an opportunity to gain additional skills in integrative therapy through the Therapeutic Massage Professional Track program.

As a slightly different approach to health care, this program is only offered to current licensed health care professionals who would like to gain massage therapy skills to better service the patient. Previous students have included medical physicians, physical therapists, nurses, physicians’ assistants, chiropractors and respiratory therapists.

Elise Rathke, a registered dietician and former student recognizes the need to incorporate integrative therapies into her profession.

"Being a part of the Professional Track program has been an incredible experience," said Rathke. "The knowledge and skills I have gained have provided me with the opportunity to share my passion for health and wellness in yet another way."

Currently Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa is one of many hospitals in the nation to use integrative therapies, also known as complementary or alternative therapies, to assist with traditional patient care. In addition to massage, aroma, dog, art and music therapy, they also have healing gardens for patients and visitors.

"Integrative therapies at Banner Desert Medical Center are integral to our patient care model, which addresses the 'whole' patient – their medical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs," said Gayle Cassidy, Banner Desert Medical Center Administrative Director. "Not only are we providing our patients with choices about their personalized care while in the hospital, we are also giving them an additional treatment method for pain and anxiety management. The results have been incredible."

Phoenix College Professional Track Program Director, Dianne Geddis believes that this program offers students a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection, which ultimately leads to better patient care.

"The Therapeutic Massage Professional Track is a unique program that enables health care professionals to intertwine traditional medical skills with newly acquired alternative therapy skills in therapeutic massage," said Geddis. "This combination of traditional and alternative practices in the health care setting will pave the way for improved patient care, controlled pain management and a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection for the patient."

According to a press release issued by the American Massage Therapy Association ®, more and more medical professionals and patients are recognizing the benefits of the integrated therapy of massage.

"Healthcare providers and consumers alike realize that massage has great health benefits and use it for many health conditions – stress relief, relaxation injury recovery, chronic pain," said Steve Olson, president of the American Massage Therapy Association ® (AMTA). "I’m glad to see this perception emerge, especially among seniors, who tend to have greater health and medical needs."

Phoenix College will host a free information session/reception for those that may be interested in the program on Monday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. in Room OSW 107 (Osborn campus).

For more information, please call (602) 285-7649 or email dianne.geddis@pcmail.maricopa.edu.