Alternative types of therapy

By: Sam Fatula | The Duquense Duke

As time progresses, more medical issues become increasingly prevalent in society.

In some cases, traditional medical practices do not suffice for the victim of a specific disease, and they must discover alternative methods of treatment or therapy. Pittsburgh, known for having one of the largest medical facilities in the United States in UPMC, is also home to some other interesting therapies that could benefit patients for their needs.

One location that tries to aid numerous health issues is Music Journey, LLC. Music Journey, stationed in Pittsburgh, specializes in musical therapy to soothe people’s sufferings from mental disorders, but have also treated patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.

“This has been a process in my life. I’ve always wanted to help people,” said Aaron Teague, therapist at Music Journey. “I’ve kind of evolved into a person who would identify themselves as a musician of sorts…those kinds of things [music & helping people] lined up and the opportunity to study music therapy became a possibility.”

Music therapy can help people that all different problems or needs, according to Teague, including children that suffer from autism or other development issues. It can also help premature infants to teenagers that have cancer or skin conditions and older adults who may be in the ends of their lives or are just in long-term care situations in order to remain vibrant and healthy.

“We offer an extension or an option for people who may want off their current treatments or medicine. I think there’s room for people who want to try something different for themselves,” Teague said.

Though Music Journey offers therapeutic aid to many people in bad health, they are not the only group that is available to alternative means of therapy.

Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickly, offers classes in their schedule that help people find themselves spiritually, in a more creative fashion. One of the courses that have been placed in Sweetwater’s curriculum for this semester is called Reiki; a class dedicated to self-meditation.

“We offer three levels of Reiki,” said Megan Anthony, outreach coordinator for Sweetwater. “In the first level of Reiki, students are introduced to the history of Reiki and will receive an explanation of its application in everyday life. They will also learn beginner healing techniques and basic mediation practices.”

Additionally, Anthony said that Sweetwater will also be offering another class in the upcoming semester that will also be focused toward helping people become spiritually and mentally balanced.

The class, titled “Chakra Painting and Meditation,” will “explore the root of chakra through meditative exercise and students will complete a creative expressive painting based on this chakra,” stated Anthony.

Besides there being alternative therapy available for mental health patients, people with other biological ailments or problems can find other local treatments as well.

In Robinson Township, tanning salon Anytime Tan has an option for people who have skin related diseases called Red Light Therapy [explain what this is].

“Red Light Therapy helps with fibro-myalgia, arthritis and seasonal depression,” said Candace Bouvy, manager of Anytime Tan. “It renews the skin; it helps your body produce and make collagen at a faster rate than what it normally does which helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age marks and it benefits people who have scarring.”

Bouvy also stated that patients who needed open-heart surgery have tried Red Light Therapy, which produced good aspects, and can also solve minor problems such as acne.