Dr. Oz, Complimentary Medicine

at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM

An operating room is bustling with medical personnel. A heart transplant is just about to take place, and the patient is prepped and ready to go. As they lie still under anesthesia, the surgeon shouts for someone to press play on the stereo. Suddenly, the sound of Classical music drifts into the room. Can the patient hear this music subconsciously, and if so, will it have any effect on their recovery? Some physicians on the cutting edge of complimentary medicine believe it can. Suzanne spoke to Dr. Mehmet Oz, world-renown heart surgeon, professor, author and director of the Complimentary Medicine Program at NY Presbyterian Medical Center to get a better understanding of alternative therapies.

The Mind/Body Connection

Growing up as a Turkish American has allowed Dr. Oz to see the world from many different perspectives. He believes the entire person, not just the ailment, must be treated for a full recovery. In his quest to supplement traditional Western medical techniques, he has chosen to explore various "alternative" therapies such as meditation, music therapy, guided imagery and aromatherapy. He refers to this integration as "global medicine." By utilizing these therapies, a person can learn to overcome some of their symptoms with their minds.

Treating the person's emotional state is equally as important to treating the illness. If a patient comes into the office with no real purpose in their life, and no reason to fight to get better, chances are they won't. Dr. Oz says, "If I don't deal with those emotional issues often surrounding the lack of spirituality in the lives of these patients, I haven't done my job well."

Calming Your Inner Self and Building Strength

Dr. Oz feels that meditation and/or hypnosis are methods of relaxation that can help a person to de-stress, and focus on healing. He and his colleagues have begun distributing guided imagery audiocassettes to help patients get into a meditative state. By putting this type of information on tapes for patients, physicians can start them on their path to wellness from the comfort of their own homes.