Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center
Complementary & Integrated Health Progam Expands
Yoga is one of several complementary program services currently offered at the Walla Walla VA Medical Center.
It’s the beginning of a new year, and New Year’s resolution lists have been made. Getting and staying healthy is at the top of most lists. And the Walla Walla VA Medical Center is committed to help Veterans get healthy.
The series of programs previously named Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has changed its name to Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH). This was done to align with the recent name change of the National Institutes of Health's program, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).
According to NCCIH’s website, many Americans—more than 30 percent of adults and about 12 percent of children—use health care approaches developed outside of mainstream Western, or conventional, medicine. Although there are many definitions of “integrative” health care, all involves bringing conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. The use of integrative approaches to health and wellness has grown within care settings across the United States, including hospitals, hospices, and military health facilities.
The Walla Walla VA has been offering a complementary program of services since 2011, and both male and female Veterans have been reaping the benefits. Yoga and tai chi are the most recognized services offered, and other classes available include artistic expression and guided imagery. Veterans can also enjoy a horticultural experience starting each spring working in “The Healing Ground” garden, which was started three years ago. Veterans help plant seeds and young plants, as well as water and tend the garden throughout the growing season. Many pounds of vegetables have been given to local food banks over the years and Veterans are encouraged to take home some of the produce for their own tables. (Click HERE to read a recent Earth Day story about “The Healing Ground” garden.)
Veterans have an opportunity to explore their art skills in the artistic expressions class. Here is some representative artwork done by local Veterans from the past two years.
Recent expansion of the CIH program now includes two new classes: a mindful movement class with a certified personal trainer and a mindful music class with a keyboard player who has written his own compositions for relaxation and stress reduction.
All enrolled Veterans at the Walla Walla VA are eligible and encouraged to participate in this program. Talk with your provider team about the details on how to get signed up. You can click HERE for the current CIH class schedule. You can also contact the CIH Program Coordinator, Ms. Jill Juers, at 509.525.5200, extension 26481 for more information.
Would you like to volunteer your musical talents? If you are 18 years of age or older and play a musical instrument at an intermediate or advanced level, consider sharing your musical skill for the new mindful class. For more information, you can contact Ms. Juers. All volunteers just need to complete a short application with the Voluntary Service Department. You can make a difference.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
~ Helen Keller
