Many patients and families wish to pursue a diverse range of complementary or alternative health care practices which may be used to enhance the quality of life for some terminally ill patients. The goal of this resource guide is not to evaluate or comment on the effectiveness of these specific modalities, nor to endorse one practitioner over another. Our goal is to provide access to organizations that can provide more information about each modality or offer referral to specific practitioners. Each of the modalities listed below has a licensing board in Oregon. They may relieve pain by stimulating the body's own healing abilities.
Some patients report enhanced well-being and decreased sense of isolation.
Techniques used may include compassionate touch, Swedish massage and gentle reflexology. There are multiple certified schools and classes in massage therapy, and a list may be obtained from the Massage Technician's Board. The philosophy of naturopathic medicine is to focus on helping the body to heal itself. Additional complementary or alternative health care modalities which do not have licensing boards in Oregon are briefly described below. More information on these therapies may be obtained by calling the schools, associations or licensing boards listed above.