Started in 2004, the Program for Integrative Medicine and Healthcare Disparities at Boston Medical Center is committed to evidence-based practices. Holistic care or integrative medicine combines conventional medical treatment, complementary therapies, and lifestyle changes. It encourages a compassionate, healing relationship between patients and caregivers. Integrative medicine views the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Conventional treatments may include prescription medication, x-rays, surgical procedures, physical, and occupational therapy. Complementary therapies include yoga, massage, acupuncture, herbal therapy, dietary supplements, meditation, hypnosis, chi gung, tai chi, and reiki. Historically, complementary therapies were not part of conventional medicine; however, certain therapies are becoming more common in healthcare today because knowledge and research about their effectiveness continues to grow. ### Program for Integrative Medicine and Health Disparities - [Contact Us](#contact-us) - [Related Clinics and Programs](#related-clinics-and-programs) - [Treatments & Services](#treatments-services) - [Our Team](#our-team) - [Patient Resources](#patient-resources) - [Affiliations](#affiliations) - [Department News](#department-news) ## Contact Us [617.414.2080](tel:617.414.2080) ## Related Clinics and Programs [### Pain Clinic (Pediatrics) A pediatric specialty care program that provides pediatrics pain management for children and teens through cognitive and behavioral strategies, physical therapy, mindfulness, massage therapy, medications, reflexology, and integrative therapies ](/departments/pediatric-specialty-care/pain-clinic-pediatrics) [### Adult Primary Care A department providing primary care to people over 18 years old, including preventive services, routine exams, chronic disease management, treatment of minor illness, medication management, referrals, and coordinated care across services. ](/departments/adult-primary-care) [### Rooftop Farm Three stories above Boston Medical Center’s power plant thrives a 2,658-square-foot farm that grows more than 30 crops. The farm provides fresh, local produce to our hospitalized patients, cafeterias, Teaching Kitchen, and Preventive Food Pantry, and is also part of BMC’s commitment to going green. ](/nourishing-our-community/rooftop-farm) [### The Teaching Kitchen Come to the Teaching Kitchen for a FREE cooking class and learn how to make simple, cost-effective, and delicious recipes that will help you live a healthier life and/or manage your disease or condition! ](/nourishing-our-community/teaching-kitchen) [### Preventive Food Pantry BMC’s Preventive Food Pantry works to address nutrition-related illness and undernutrition for our low-income patients. It fills the therapeutic gap by linking physicians and nutritionists to patients. ](/nourishing-our-community/preventive-food-pantry) ## Treatments & Services ### [Acupuncture](/holistic-medicine-integrative-health/acupuncture) Acupuncture describes a family of procedures that stimulate different points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique most often studied scientifically is placing sterile, thin, solid, metallic needles in the skin and manipulating them. Non-needle acupuncture techniques, such as acupressure and magnetic therapy, are also offered. ### [Breathing Exercises](holistic-medicine-integrative-health/breathing-exercises) Buteyko is a clinically-proven, natural, safe breathing retraining program which utilizes the body’s self-healing capacities. It is based on the standard medical principles of respiration and the Bohr effect. ### [Mindfulness](/holistic-medicine-integrative-health/mindfulness-boston-medical-center) Mindfulness can be achieved by anyone. The practice of mindfulness is a purposeful way to approach your day to day tasks: this mindset can reduce stress and enhance the joy experienced in daily life. ### [Yoga](/holistic-medicine-integrative-health/yoga) Yoga originated over 2000 years ago in India as a system of physical, moral, and spiritual practices. Like other meditative movement practices used for health purposes, modern day yoga typically combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. A list of affordable yoga programs can be found [here](https://www.bmc.org/holistic-medicine-integrative-health/yoga/affordable-yoga-boston). ### [Tai Chi](https://www.bmc.org/holistic-medicine-integrative-health/tai-chi) Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art involving a series of slow, continuous gentle movements, postures, and stretching, as well as meditation and controlled breathing. Over the years, this practice has been popularly used for health promotion and rehabilitation. ### [Chiropractic Care](/holistic-medicine-integrative-health/chiropractic-care) Chiropractors usually treat problems related to the musculoskeletal system, and treatment often involves manual therapy and spinal manipulation to improve joint motion and function. Manipulations are typically done on the spine, but other parts of the body may also be treated in this way. ## Our Team **Eric Roseen D.C., Ph.D.** *Program Director, Chiropractor* **Elizabeth(Beth)Sommers, Ph.D., MPH, Lic.Ac.** *Acupuncturist, Family Medicine and Oncology/Hematology* **Emilie Gerber-Kunicka D.A.I.H., Lic.Ac.** *Director of Acupuncture in Family Medicine, Acupuncture* **Julie Ritucci, Lic.Ac.** *Acupuncturist, Family Medicine* **Maria Broderick, Ed.D., Lic.Ac.** *Pediatric Acupuncture, Acupuncture Preceptor for Pediatric Pain Clinic* **CJ Allen, Lic.Ac.** *Acupuncture Preceptor, Adult Pain Clinic* **Betsy Simmons** *Yoga Instructor* **Ramel Rones** *Tai Chi Instructor* ## Patient Resources [### Holistic Care and Integrative Medicine Classes at BMC Group offerings are an opportunity for individuals living with the same medical challenges to come together to share, learn, and experience mind-body practices in a safe environment. ](/holistic-medicine-integrative-health/classes) [### Affordable Integrative Medicine Services in the Boston Area Affordable acupuncture, massage, and yoga services in the Boston Area ](/holistic-medicine-integrative-health/massage/affordable-integrative-medicine-services-boston-area) ## Affiliations ### New England School Of Acupuncture at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Located in Worcester, MA, the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) at MCPHS offers students the opportunity to earn advanced degrees in acupuncture. With a partnership with NESA for more than 10 years, BMC hosts three student intern clinics in the Family Medicine department, Pediatric Pain Clinic, and Adult Pain Clinic. ### The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health In 2008, Boston University joined the Academic Consortium to strengthen their commitment to furthering the development of integrative medicine in healthcare delivery. BMC (through Boston University) is one of more than 75 academic medical centers and health systems collaborating to progress comprehensive, integrative medicine and health. ## Department News ### [New Study Finds Racial and Ethnic Disparities Persist in Access to Chiropractic Care and Physical Rehabilitation for Adults with Low Back Pain ](https://www.bmc.org/news/new-study-finds-racial-and-ethnic-disparities-persist-access-chiropractic-care-and-physical) Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and a major driver of healthcare costs in the United States, according to the World Health Organization. Over the last 20 years, recommended… Oct 19 ![Boston Medical Center Logo](/sites/default/files/styles/image_620w/public/news-images/BMC-logo_14.png?itok=j9e31itB) ### [Black and Hispanic Patients More Likely to Develop Chronic Lower Back Pain or High Impact Lower Back Pain than White Patients](https://www.bmc.org/news/black-and-hispanic-patients-more-likely-develop-chronic-lower-back-pain-or-high-impact-lower) BOSTON – New research from Boston Medical Center discovered that Black and Hispanic patients with acute low back pain were more likely to develop high-impact chronic pain when compared to White… Dec 19 ![bmc logo](/sites/default/files/styles/image_620w/public/news-images/news_17.png?itok=OH1UG_JL)