For Patients & Families | Family Wellness Program

Acupuncture: Available to patients who are currently inpatient, acupuncture services are provided by Boston Children’s Hospital physicians who have specialty training in acupuncture. During an acupuncture treatment, the physician uses thin, hair-like needles to improve the flow of energy along the energy pathways of the body helping to heal and improve symptoms.

Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to promote psychological and physical well-being. Essential oils are from various parts of aromatic plants and flowers. We have personal inhalers for patients to use to help relieve symptoms (such as anxiety/depression, headaches, and nausea).

Gentle yoga: Our certified yoga instructors adapt sessions to be appropriate for all fitness and developmental levels, and they can be adapted to accommodate medical conditions. Yoga is available for patients and caregivers in person or on Zoom.
 
Yoga has been shown to have benefits for a number of health conditions. People who practice yoga report improvements in low back pain, balance, and sleep, as well as stress and anxiety.

Guided imagery: With guided imagery, a patient is assisted in reaching a state of relaxation. Guidance may be a journey to an imagined place that has a positive meaning or prompts to relax different muscles and areas of the body. Guided imagery may help someone to bring their focus to the present moment and to their breathing, which serves to reduce stress and anxiety.

Massage therapy: We offer massage to patients as well as inpatient parents and caregivers. For patients, massage is helpful for pain, muscle tension, and overall relaxation. Patients can receive massage in their hospital rooms with the approval of their doctor.

For inpatient parent and caregiver appointments, the massage therapist focuses on massaging common places where you usually hold stress, like the back, neck, arms, and shoulders.

The parent/caregiver is seated in a massage chair and remains clothed. These sessions are held in the Hale Family Center for Families by appointment only.

Reiki: Reiki is a Japanese healing technique used to help the mind and body enter a state of greater relaxation and peace. During this treatment, the Reiki practitioner places their hands on or over your body to enhance the flow of energy in the body associated with better health.

We offer private one-on-one Reiki sessions for patients in their hospital rooms and inpatient parents and caregivers in the Hale Family Center for Families.