Discovering The Mature Lifestyle
Crystal shop helps restore spirit to hair loss victims. Page 3
Mind & Spirit
August 20 & 21, 2015
August Issue
Aromatherapy, guided imagery, acupuncture offer comfort in Fridley BY SUE WEBBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Peggy Miller has spent most of her career working on social justice causes and social services. But when she was 40, she made the decision to pursue a new career path. She enrolled in a four-year class to learn acupuncture. For the last five years, Miller has helped treat clients using the integrative therapies of acupuncture – plus aromatherapy and guided imagery — at the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, part of Allina Health at Unity Hospital in Fridley. “I love working with people at transitions; it’s good to be part of the solution,” Miller said. It was after she worked with victims of violence for 25 years, then in hospice care, massage therapy and then at a reproductive health center, that she decided on the mid-life career change. “I’ve never regretted it for a moment,” Miller said. “I love what I do.” Acupuncture, which involves pricking the skin or tissues with thin needles, originated more than 5,000 years ago in China. The practice is used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Using integrative, holistic services at the Penny George Institute, Miller works with both inpatients and outpatients, all ages, both men and women. Doctors refer some clients to her; others come on their own. She uses acupuncture primarily, in conjunction with Oriental medicine and essential oils. “I uses guided imagery a lot,” Miller said.
Peggy Miller uses the integrative therapies of acupuncture – plus aromatherapy and guided imagery — at the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, part of Allina Health at Unity Hospital in Fridley. (Photo by Sue Webber) “We see people with every conceivable condition, some ambulatory and some not,” Miller said. “We get
a lot of oncology patients, some in acute stages. They really benefit from aromatherapy to treat their nausea.” She notes that a lot of current medications are derived from plants. Using aromatherapy is simply taking a deep whiff of the essence of the plant. According to information from Allina Health, this is how aromatherapy works: “The natural ingredients of the essential oils help relax a busy mind, calm stress, help sleep and reduce pain. “When you smell the aroma, the molecules of the essential oil move from your nose through your body, bringing healing to the places that need it.” Oils ranging from frankincense, ginger and lavender to mandarin, chamomile, spearmint and sweet marjoram are used to relieve a variety of ills, including pain, anxiety and stress, indigestion, nausea, and headaches. Guided imagery, according to Allina Health: “uses words and images to help move your attention away from the worry, stress and pain and help you find your own inner strength and creativity to support healing.” “Guided imagery is accessing the subconscious that exists all the time,” Miller said. “It’s the background of our conscious brain. You have to eliminate the clutter to go to a quiet pool.” Hospital patients often find that it helps them to become calm before, during or after a procedure or surgery. “With inpatients, you establish a quick relationship,” Miller said. “With outpatients I might see someone six, 10 or 12 times. It depends on whatever works. There’s no distinction between the mind, body and spirit. We MILLER - TO PAGE 3