Integrative care in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Regional Hospital is a leader in integrative care—treating you as a whole person to optimize your healing and health.

Healing mind, body and spirit

Integrative care recognizes that the interactions of mind, body, spirit and community have a direct impact on recovery and well-being. Our patient-focused, healing-oriented services take the whole person into account, making use of conventional and complementary therapies while educating and empowering you to be an active participant in your own care.

The benefits of whole person care

Encouraging the mind and body to work together produces benefits—both physical and emotional—as you prepare for or recover from surgery or face conditions such as cancer or severe pain. It can also help manage life changes caused by aging, menopause, diabetes, heart disease or weight loss. You will benefit from:

  • Less anxiety
  • Reduced pain, allowing for the use of less pain medication
  • Faster healing

Integrative care services in the Seacoast Region

We offer a variety of integrative therapies to encourage recovery, vitality and well-being. Many services are available, including massage, the Relaxation Hotline and spiritual care. Reiki, a relaxation therapy, and massage are offered to all patients. All services are provided by highly qualified practitioners with certification or state licenses.

Therapeutic strategies include:

Biofeedback techniques teach you to improve your health by controlling involuntary physical processes, such as heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, respiratory rate and skin temperature.

Talk to your physician about a referral or call (603) 334-2097 for information or appointment scheduling.

A Doula refers to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother. Doula services at our hospital include emotional and practical support before labor, during labor and during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications and babies are healthier and breastfeed more easily.

As a vital member of the team, the birth doula from Portsmouth Regional Hospital can help the mother with the following:

  • Prepare mother and partner for the birth experience, carrying out the birth plan
  • Recognizing that birth is a key experience that a mother will remember all her life
  • Providing emotional support and physical comfort measures during labor and birth
  • Providing non-medical pain and stress management tools, including massage, mindful breathing and visualization
  • Attending to the mother with the sole purpose of caring for her emotional well-being, helping her through the transition to motherhood

Join our skilled practitioners for an hour of gentle energy healing and breath exercises the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 3pm to 4pm at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Classroom 4. There is no fee and no need to call in advance.

Massage can help you relax, reduce muscle tension and soreness or increase circulation. We offer several kinds of massage.

Reflexology is the use of pressure, stretching and movement of the feet to affect corresponding parts of the body, providing a deep sense of relaxation and comfort.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (603) 433-4015.

Reiki practitioners create a relaxing atmosphere and gently lay their hands on your head, shoulders, knees, ankles and feet with the aim of transferring energy through their hands. Reiki helps many people experience a deep relaxation measured by a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate and a slowing and deepening of the breath, as well as a sense of warmth and peacefulness.

Decreased levels of stress and pain after a Reiki session may help you recover from an illness, surgery or childbirth.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (603) 334-2025.

Our Nutrition Connection department offers education for a variety of conditions including: diabetes, heart disease, pediatric and adult weight management, eating disorders, food allergies and nutritional management during cancer treatment.

Learn more about our Nutrition Services by calling (603) 433-4984 to speak to a dietitian directly. To schedule an appointment, call central scheduling at (603) 559-4190. A referral from your PCP or referring provider will be necessary.

Our free training in mind-body guided imagery will give you tools to cope with anxiety prior to surgery and help you feel more peaceful.

This 24-hour service provides a choice of a short breath-relaxation exercise or tranquil music to help you create a quiet space during a busy or stressful situation.

To reach the Relaxation Hotline, dial (603) 433-5151 or simply call 5151 within the hospital.

To draw spiritual resources into your journey toward healing, take advantage of our empathetic listening, spiritual counseling, meditation, ritual and faith practices for patients and families.

To access our spiritual care services, call (603) 433-5244.

We offer classes in a variety of mind-body techniques shown to reduce stress and support the immune system. Join the classes of your choice in our spacious exercise studio at 155 Borthwick Avenue, 3rd Floor West (rear entrance).

Search for classes and events on our hospital calendar of events.

All integrative care services are available without a referral, except for biofeedback. Talk to your insurance provider about fees and payment options.