PITTSBURGH – Physicians, nurses and other health care professionals at Allegheny General Hospital are learning how to integrate mind/body and relaxation techniques into daily patient care with the help of the world-renowned Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Professionals from the Benson-Henry Institute, a world leader in the study, advancement and clinical practice of mind/body medicine, will initially instruct 20 selected AGH staffers via teleconferencing on Oct. 21 and 22. Topics will include integrating mind/body medicine into bedside nursing practice and into a hospital system, and helping patients achieve the “relaxation response.”

Mind/body medicine, also called integrative medicine, complements traditional medicine by harnessing the inseparable connection between the mind and body. It integrates medicine with psychology, nutrition, exercise physiology and belief to help people reduce the stress that can cause or worsen health problems. Unlike alternative medicine, it is scientifically validated.

“We are continually learning more about the mind’s powerful impact on the body and on healing,” said Betsy Blazek-O’Neill, MD, Medical Director of the AGH Integrative Medicine Program. “This program will help front-line care providers obtain the skills they need to help patients to relax, ease stress, and increase their wellness, ultimately benefiting the patients who are most in need of stress management.”

“This presents a tremendous opportunity for AGH Integrative Medicine to showcase the cutting edge work we are doing to interface mind, body and spirit into the delivery of health care,” Dr. Blazek-O’Neill said.

In addition to staff training, the program will create new wellness and stress reduction opportunities for outpatients and AGH employees. Two sixth-floor rooms are undergoing renovation and will be used for yoga and stress management, and other group classes, lectures and educational seminars. Space for outpatient massage, acupuncture and other complementary medicine services is planned.