Healing, spirituality and integrative medicine.
Annals of palliative medicine July 1, 2017 David M Steinhorn, Jana Din, Angela Johnson 100 citations
Spirituality is important for most palliative patients, whether or not they follow a specific religion. Many patients lack a strong religious community, especially those identifying as spiritual but not religious. Encouraging exploration of spiritual beliefs through chaplains or the palliative care team can provide meaning and purpose. Integrative medicine—including massage, acupuncture, Reiki, aromatherapy, and dietary supplements—offers non-verbal, non-cognitive ways to achieve a peaceful inner state similar to deep prayer or meditation. This can help patients gain self-awareness and meet spiritual needs without religious overtones, facilitating personal growth and resilience in facing serious illness.