Hospital News, 10-1-2011 - Western Pennsylvania Healthcare News

Issue No. 10 wphospitalnews.com| 17Helping Your Mind, Body, and Spirit Achieve a State of BalanceBy Kathleen GansterFor years, it often seemed that “traditional” medicinewas different and even at odds with “alternative”medicine.But more and more physicians are integrating themore non-traditional forms of healing into their practicesand teaming up with practitioners of alternative,natural health to care for their patients.Additionally, more health insurance companies areproviding benefits for these services such as massage.As the owner of medica...the healing arts and an “alternative”health care practitioner, Beverly Leopold hasoften tried to dispel myths that she can’t work hand-inhandwith a client’s physician to solve chronic healthissues.“I don’t like to refer to it as ‘alternative” health care,but rather complimentary healthcare,” said Leopold.For nearly 20 years, Leopold hasowned medica located in RichlandTownship and practiced natural,complimentary health care includingmassage, acupuncture, Reiki, reflexologyand other similar proceduresthat she refers to as “wellness techniques.”“Our sessions are clinical in natureand offer a complimentary factorto the healing process,” she said.Leopold, a certified massage therapist,certified hypnotherapist, andReiki master, knows that there arehealth problems that must be treatedby a physician.“I often refer someone to a physicianif they have symptoms of anoverlying health concern,” saidLeopold, “We work with our clientswithin the scope of our knowledge.”Leopold also works with physicianswho will refer patients to herthat have run the course through certainmedicines or procedures and arestill suffering with chronic pain thatmay be eased through massage orhypnosis.Leopold’s son, Rich Timmerman,is also a certified massage therapistand provides deep tissue massagethat works well with athletes recoveringfrom sports injuries andchronic health issues. medica alsohas a chiropractor on-site who incorporatesacupuncture into wellnesssessions.A key component in strengtheningthe partnership of complimentaryhealth-care providers andphysicians is the fact that in the stateof Pennsylvania, massage therapistsmust now be licensed. The law willrequire all massage therapists tohave completed the licensureprocess and be certified by December2012.A long-time proponent of licensing,Leopold thinks more physicianswill look at massage in a more seriousmanner with this new requirement.“This just takes us to a higherlevel. We work hard for our educationand training, and to have the licensingwill, I believe, make massage therapy ‘legitimate,’”said Leopold.Like traditional physicians, Leopold and Trimmermanwork with their client’s total health care issuesto ensure the optimal overall health.Along those lines, medica has recently teamed upwith Alexander’s fitness clubs and MyoFitness personaltrainers.“This follows the whole philosophy that goodhealth is total health with all of a client’s health careproviders working in harmony,” she said.Leopold will be hosting an open house for healthcare providers in early January. For more information,please contact Leopold at email: medica2beverly@msn.comor telephone at 724-449-2255. Visitwww.medicathehealingarts.com for more information.Only one local healthsystem has a simulationcenter that was recentlyrecognized as one ofthe best in the world.And it’s not whoyou think it is.Donald J. Wilfong Jr, MDMedical DirectorDonamarie N-Wilfong, DNP, RNDirector of Clinical EducationAt West Penn Allegheny’s Simulation, Teaching and AcademicResearch (STAR) Center, we provide state-of-the-art trainingfor healthcare professionals. Using the latest in tools andtechniques, the STAR Center hones the skills of today’shealthcare providers and prepares future clinicians for thefast-paced and challenging world of patient care. We valueevery patient, which is why students learn on highly advancedmannequins in our world-class simulation center beforethey enter a patient room. And, we’re the only center in theregion, and one of only 10 worldwide, accredited by theSociety for Simulation in Healthcare.When doctors lead, better care follows –call 412.DOCTORS (362.8677).Bev Leopold and her son, Rich Timmerman,owners of medicawpahs.org