Healing Zone Meditation Program Offers Benefits for Cancer Patients
Summerlin Hospital Medical Center offers a meditation program to help cancer patients better manage pain, anxiety, fear and stress. Chris Hatter, a certified meditation instructor and certified occupational therapy assistant, saw the pain and anxiety in the faces of cancer patients and their families and wanted to do something to help.
“The Healing Zone meditation program brings the mind and body into the most optimal place for healing,” explained Chris, who has worked at Summerlin Hospital since 1998. “It helps bring the body from the ‘fight or flight’ zone to the healing zone by incorporating different treatments and strategies to complement the medical treatment.”
Components of the Healing Zone include gentle trigger point release, myofascial release, stroking the back to turn off the sympathetic nervous systems and engage the parasympathetic nervous system, rhythmic rocking, positive affirmations, visualization, breathing, gratitude lists, forgiveness lists and meditation. Through use of these techniques, patients and family members can better manage pain, anxiety, fear and stress.
“Chris spends time with patients who need relaxation, pain control and simplicity,” explained Carla Stevens, BScN, RN, OCN, Oncology Program Coordinator for Summerlin Hospital. “He brings a small card that allows them to rate their stress and anxiety before and after meditation or deep breathing. All the patients who have used him have reported a wonderful experience.”
The Healing Zone is available to all adult cancer patients who are currently hospitalized at Summerlin Hospital. Patients can have their nurse contact Chris for a personal meditation session.