The Source of the Healing Arts offers chiropractic, massage and acupuncture

Warwick — The Source of the Healing Arts looks to treat health issues in a positive way, built on the relationship between the practitioner and the patient. This is an integrative health program here in Warwick that was founded by Barbara Priestner-Werte, a psychotherapist who wanted to build a place where people could come to fulfill all of their health needs. Part of the Source’s program includes acupuncture, chiropractic and massage therapy. Anne E. Woehrle Sassano, owner of Warwick Massage, provides therapeutic massage for the Source of the Healing Arts. Sassano has been practicing massage therapy for more than 15 years and holds both a New York State License and a National Certification. Sassano also is an active member of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. Therapeutic massage can release muscle tension, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility and reduce mental and physical fatigue. In addition, massage is recognized as an effective means available to combat stress. There are many different types of massage, among which are Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone and prenatal. A licensed massage therapist often has hundreds or thousands of hours of specialized training and has been required to pass rigorous examinations. Massage therapy Massage therapy is one of several modalities offered by the Source of the Healing Arts to provide a holistic approach to physical and psychological well being. The Source is an integrative health collaborative that seeks to help individuals achieve optimum wellness through the utilization of a network of traditional and complementary professional providers. Individuals go to the Source to look for ways to manage stress, reduce anxiety, improve immune function, manage chronic illness and promote weight loss. Dr. Margaret E. Verhagen has served the Warwick community and surrounding area for the past 20 years. An extended member of the New York State Board for Chiropractic, she brings a level of integrity, professionalism and compassion that enhances the discipline that is Chiropractic. Verhagen also has a Diplomate in Classical Homeopathy, which she regularly incorporates into her practice. Chiropractic Chiropractic, from its early beginnings, has endorsed the idea of “wellness.” It is a holistic (total person) method that deals with treating the cause of the problem rather than just the symptoms. Chiropractic considers all aspects of the patient’s life: family history, work, lifestyle and environment, diet, exercise regimen, the attention to prevention and the patient’s physical and emotional stress factors. Verhagen utilizes an eclectic chiropractic approach by using traditional, hands-on adjustment, flexion-distraction, sacro-occipital technique, activator and extremity adjusting. Chiropractic is an approach to health which utilizes the body’s inherent and natural recuperative powers. It is a healing science which places emphasis on maintaining the structural integrity of the body and is a method of health care which is conservative and which does not utilize drugs or surgery. Acupuncture Tara Foley is a New York licensed acupuncturist who has a private practice at The Source of the Healing Arts. Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of healing we know. It originated in China nearly 5,000 years ago and is still used by more than half the world’s population. It is a system of medicine that includes prevention, diagnoses and the treatment. Chinese medical theory states that a human being is composed of body, mind and spirit. These are viewed as a continuum rather than as separate entities. Therefore, acupuncture addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of each individual. The treatment of acupuncture is performed with stainless steel disposable needles, inserted at designated acupuncture points - these points are based on a system of pathways called meridians, which link different systems and structures in an integrated network. Unlike hypodermic needles, used by other medical professionals for injection of medication or for blood tests, acupuncture needles are much finer in diameter, less invasive and without the beveled edges which cause tissue damage and pain. Acupuncture therapy releases blocked energetic holding patterns and constrained tissue. As a result, the body is able to heal itself: lymphatic drainage begins to flow, impeded blood begins to circulate again and an irritable nervous system becomes calmer. Acupuncture can be described as allowing the body to remember and resume its naturally free and flowing nature. Acupuncture therapy is best known for its effectiveness in the treatment of pain. However, acupuncture offers a much wider range of treatment, including neuro-muscular disorders, back/neck injuries, arthritis, neuralgia and carpal tunnel syndrome, hormonal imbalances such as Pre Menstrual Syndrome, menopausal symptoms, hypothyroidism and infertility, respiratory tract disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, sinus and allergy problems, digestive disorders like reflux, esophagitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and constipation, physiological/behavioral changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation, anxiety and stress related disorders like insomnia and depression. Healing rather than disease What exactly is integrative health medicine? According to the book, Integrative Medicine Principles for Practice by Benjamin Kligler and Roberta Lee, “Integrative medicine is about changing the focus in medicine to one of healing rather than disease. This involves an understanding of the influences of mind, spirit, and community as well as of the body.” “This is a very different way of looking at health care,” said Priestner-Werte, who has worked in private practice for the last 15. “We do not look at the disease. We bring health care to the individual person. Our care is built on relationships between the practitioner and the patient. The purpose is to focus on wellness, disease prevention, health promotion and healing.” To find out more about the programs offered at The Source of the Healing Arts, there is a Web site www.sourceofhealingarts.com or phone 986-1977.