A Bay Area Hospice Center has started offering holistic treatments, similar to those offered at luxury spas.
- Suncoast Hospice Integrative Medicine Clinic only hospice clinic of its kind in U.S.
- Combines conventional medicine with treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, and Reiki
The Suncoast Hospice Integrative Medicine Clinic in Clearwater is the only hospice clinic of its kind in the U.S. The clinic aims to minimize suffering and maximize quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses.
Sally Wofford said she isn’t just fighting cervical cancer, but also the stress and anxiety of leaving her family.
"I have a seven year old so that's a big stress," said Wofford. "Did all the treatments, the chemo, the radiation and was cured for a while, but it came right back to the point now where it's in my lungs."
Wofford said she wants to make the most of her time left, and said the Suncoast Hospice Integrative Medicine Clinic has helped. The clinic combines conventional medicine with treatments like acupuncture, aromatherapy and Reiki.
"That whole treatment for the mind and the spirit helps to relax her and gives her a sense of confidence in that she will be able to provide for her child now while she's here,” Palliative Arts Clinician Julie Martin said.
Wofford has only been getting the treatments for about a month, but said it’s already made a world of difference.
"I feel better, my pain is gone and I'm just loving every single time of this," said Wofford. "I feel like this is going to make it where I could fulfill that dream that I have for the summer to be perfect and fun with family and friends."
For more information on the Suncoast Hospice Integrative Medicine Clinic, visit the Suncoast Hospice homepage.