Complementary Medicine

Bozeman Health Cancer Center, in conjunction with Cancer Support Community Montana, takes an integrative approach to your care and treatment for cancer. Within our commitment to patient-centered care, our goal is to integrate complementary therapies and education that help reduce side effects and improve quality of life.

We can assist you in addressing your emotional and social needs as a cancer patient to improve your quality of life, encourage healthy life choices and alleviate suffering so you can return as closely as possible to your normal life. We engage patients and their families to become active participants in improving their physical, psychological, spiritual and social health.

Integrative medicine looks at you as a whole person, not just as a cancer patient, to provide appropriate complementary services for symptom management (particularly pain management). Complementary services can also to alleviate fatigue, loss of sleep and loss of appetite and to help you stay strong, boost your immune system, combat side effects, and regain (and maintain) your well-being.

Therapy options available to you include the certified START (survivorship, transition and rehabilitation training) Program, nutrition therapy, yoga, strength training, meditation, music therapy, aquatic therapy, stress reduction, art therapy, neurofeedback, Pilates and other therapeutic exercise options.

We also provide a host of support groups and weekend retreats with other cancer patients, as well as those designed for caregivers, for those who have lost a loved one to cancer and for children whose lives are touched by cancer, either their own or that of a family member. Educational options include teleconferences, a cancer education series and a lending library.

Cancer and its treatments can have major effects on the patient and those who are close to the patient. Our support staff works cooperatively with your primary oncology team to build comprehensive and integrative care plans that are personalized, evidence-based and safe to improve health, quality of life and clinical outcomes.

Our team can assist with choices you may face regarding integrative medicine and can recommend options for patients who want to incorporate integrative therapies into their conventional cancer care. Our services are designed to enhance your quality of life, increase your self-awareness, and prevent and manage the range of physical and emotional symptoms.

For more information, call Bozeman Health Cancer Center at 406-585-5070 or Cancer Support Community at 406-582-1600.