CBS News Health Correspondent Dr. Emily Senay reports that one of New York's most prestigious teaching hospitals has its own department dedicated solely to the research and implementation of what is being called complementary care.
The Complementary Care Center at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center was co-founded by cardiac surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, a pioneer in the practice of implanting temporary artificial hearts and in heart transplants.Recently, Dr. Oz was preparing to perform life-saving heart surgery on patient Joseph Beninati. As Beninati was hours away from surgery, the Complementary Care Unit was making sure his mind and body were working in sync.
As Dr. Oz uses the most advanced medical technologies to repair Beninati's sick heart, audiotapes play soothing music and give positive reinforcement.
"Part of the benefit of using audiotapes is that people like Joseph realize that 'I have power. I can take charge. I don't have to give all control to that fellow in the white jacket'," says Dr. Oz.
"When we talk about incorporating the mind into the healing process, it is not just about feeling better about what is around you, although that's important also. It's understanding that your mind does control how your body functions," he says.
The unit also provides hypnosis, acupressure, and reflexology, all administered and researched in conjunction with conventional medical technology.
The doctors admit that the techniques alone will not cure ailments; they will only help patients help themselves.
"Part of the goal of the center is not to advocate all these therapies. I don't know what reflexology does to people after open-heart surgery, but I am going to find out" Dr. Oz says.
Less than an hour after Beninati's heart has been sewn up, a physical therapist massages his feet, hoping that the manipulation of certain pressure points will help in the healing and recovery process.
"There is no question that a good part of complementary medicine will be washed out by this research," Dr. Oz says. He says that if the therapies are found to have no benefits, the center will stop using them. "In the meantime, if it doesn't hurt the patient, and it might help them, I want to try it."
Dr. Oz admits that, in order for complementary medicine to grow and mature as a field and to be accepted by more physicians as well as insurance companies, it has to create hard scientific data.
He says he is working on collecting medical evidence to convince reluctant insurance companies that the program may save them money in the long run.
Dr. Oz also has a new book, Healing From The Heart, whose goa it is to help people help themselves.
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