Medical Rounds with Dr. Erika Cappelluti

Q: How is Integrative Medicine (IM) be used to keep people healthy during flu season?

A: IM blends conventional medical approaches with alternative/complementary ones such as acupuncture, massage, energy therapy and mindfulness to name a few. The basic tenets of IM focus on nutrition, mind/body issues, lifestyle/behavior, and medications (both prescription and botanicals/supplements).

With that, IM would suggest the following to keep people healthy during flu season:

• Eat a nutritious diet with foods rich in vitamin C (fruits/vegetables) and zinc (nuts, cereals, seafood, meat, pumpkin seeds)
• Maintain regular exercise and movement that you enjoy, taking care not to overstrain
• Maintain healthy, supportive social relationships
• Reduce stressors and foster a positive attitude and emotions
• Reduce exposure to people with colds/flu-like symptoms
• Wash your hands frequently
• Do not smoke
• Consider an annual influenza vaccine
• Supplement your diet with a multi-vitamin, vitamin C (200-500 mg daily), Panax ginseng (100 mg daily), and probiotics, which may have some effectiveness for the prevention of colds and flu

Q: What types of IM Therapies can help boost the immune system this time of year?

A: In addition to the therapies mentioned above, the following IM therapies have some evidence that suggest they help support the immune system:

• Acupuncture -- has been shown to increase levels of immune cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD19+ cells as well as neutrophils)
• Guided imagery/meditation
• T’ai Chi
• Yoga
• Vitamin D3 supplementation (goal serum level about 40-60 ng/mL) (can activate T cells)

Q: What are some of the IM Therapies offered at Hartford HealthCare this time of year?

A: Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital has a brand new integrative medicine center that opened last summer in the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center in Avon. 

Called “The Center for the Healing Arts,” the facility offers the following:

• Acupuncture
• Art for Healing
• Guided Imagery/Hypnotherapy
• IM Physician Consultations
• Massage Therapy including lymphatic drainage
• Personalized Genetic Testing
• Reflexology
• Reiki & Energy Therapy
• Wellness Classes & Education
• Yoga Therapy

We also see clients on the Hartford Hospital campus, in Blue Back Square, and Newington.

Q: What are some of the most conditions / reasons for which IM is used?

A: Some conditions/reasons include:

• Pain (chronic and acute)
• Insomnia
• Anxiety/stress reduction
• Guidance/management of dietary supplements
• Peri/menopausal symptoms
• Side effects related to chemotherapy
• General relaxation and wellness

For more information: ​

Please Call: 860.972.4444

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