Maximizing Your Healing Potential
Healing Hearts: An Integrative Approach , offered by the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center in conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic Center for Integrative Medicine, offers patients and families information and tools to help optimize recovery and wellness during and after the hospital stay.
The program was developed out of research showing that positive emotions and expectations can help the body heal faster and with fewer complications. Designed specifically for Cleveland Clinic Heart Center patients, this program can help you cope with emotions and discomfort, such as anxiety and pain. You will learn techniques to help you achieve the relaxed, calm, and empowered state that is optimal for healing.
Challenges of coping with illness and recovery
A new diagnosis or anticipation of a procedure or surgery can cause worry that drains energy and affects mood. You may experience fear, pain, anxiety, feelings of loss of control over your condition, decline in quality of life, decreased ability to do daily activities, and increased reliance on others for daily care. For some, these reactions can be overwhelming. They can also cause sleep loss, reduce the body's capacity to ward off illness, and diminish the mental and physical reserves needed to cope with life's daily challenges.
Optimizing wellness
During your hospital stay, we encourage you to use approaches such as guided imagery, breathing exercises and massage therapy to help you manage pain, improve sleep, and feel more relaxed and confident throughout your recovery.
We also encourage you to be aware of the role that stress, anxiety, depression, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle play in the development of cardiovascular disease. Research shows that 70 to 90% of cardiovascular disease cases can be avoided by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining positive emotional connections with family and friends, and seeking spiritual guidance and comfort.
Services for Heart Center patients
- Relaxation Channel
- Massage and Meditation Suite
- Guided imagery program
- Mind/body coach
- Reiki therapy
- Comforting relaxation massage
- Spiritual comfort
- Resources and information about relaxation and pain-reduction techniques
Relaxation Channel
The Relaxation Channel on The Cleveland Clinic television network offers programming 24 hours a day about relaxation techniques.
Relaxation and Massage Suite
The Relaxation and Massage Suite located on the 10th floor, Nursing Unit G100, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All Heart Center patients and family members are welcome use this room to take a quiet break from the daily hospital routine. If you are a Heart Center patient staying in a unit other than G100, please let your nurse or doctor know if you would like to visit the Suite.
Guided imagery
Guided imagery is the process of focusing on or imagining positive thoughts and feelings to induce peace, calm, strength and control.
Research at The Cleveland Clinic shows that guided imagery can decrease anxiety and pain and potentially decrease your length of stay in the hospital. Heart Center surgery patients receive a free guided imagery CD and are encouraged to listen to it twice a day before and after surgery. For many other procedures, Heart Center patients may bring their own relaxation or guided imagery tapes. Please ask your doctor or nurse for more information.
Comforting Relaxation Massage
Massage can help reduce tension, increase blood supply to the muscles and soothe pain. For family members and caregivers, massage can be a great stress reducer.
John Robert's Spa massage therapists have been trained in caring for Heart Center patients. To schedule a massage, call 216/839-4850. Massage therapists are available at the hospital on Tuesdays and Thursdays for patients and visitors. Physician approval may be required for patients .Therapists are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A 30-minute massage is $40; a 60-minute massage is $75; and a 90-minute massage is $100. Payments are made via credit card.
Mind/Body Coach
A Mind/Body Coach is a trained professional who can teach you how to tap into your inner strength so you can reach a higher level of peace, calm and comfort before surgery. You'll also learn the "tools" to help you during the recovery process, including guided imagery.
To schedule a one-on-one session with the Mind/Body Coach before or after surgery, please call 216/986-HEAL (4325). A 60-minute session is $100.
Reiki*
Reiki is a method of energy-based healing in which a practitioner lays his or her hands on the client to promote a deep sense of relaxation. To schedule a Reiki session before or after surgery, please call 216/986-HEAL (4325). A 60-minute session is $60.
Spiritual Comfort
We recognize that optimal health is achieved when mind, body and spirit are in balance. Our pastoral care staff is available to visit at all times. A chapel offers families and caregivers sanctuary for reflection and prayer. To schedule a clergy visit, please call 216/444-2518. Or, call our 24-hour Prayer Line at 216/445-7200.
Resource Materials
If you are a cardiovascular surgery patient, you will find information in your surgical binder about a variety of simple breathing, relaxation, and imagery techniques that can help you manage pain and induce relaxation and sleep.
You can purchase audiotapes, CDs, and booklets featuring guided imagery, relaxation music, and stress management from:
- Guided Imagery for Stressful Times with Nature Sounds by Diane Tusek, RN, BSN Guided Imagery, Inc., 440/944-9292, http://www.guidedimageryinc.com/home.html
- Cleveland Clinic Section of Health Psychology: 216/444-5816
- Cleveland Clinic Gift Shop: 216/444-1700
Center for Integrative Medicine Clinical Practice
The Center for Integrative Medicine Clinical Practice is our outpatient complement to services offered through the Healing Hearts program. The Center is designed to meet the needs of clients wishing to incorporate integrative practices in their total plan of care.
Integrative medicine consultations provided by our Medical Director, Tanya Edwards, MD, MEd, are available. Other services include on-site acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional and herbal counseling, guided imagery, hypnotherapy and energy therapy. Educational programs such as Tai Chi, Yoga, Qigong, and weight management are also available.
For more information about the Center or to schedule a visit at our Broadview Heights location, please call: 216/986-HEAL (4325).
