Some people try to obtain relaxation and good health through rest, exercise and a healthy diet. Others try having their necks cracked, using healing energies and being stuck by needles.

No, the second group is not masochistic – they are believers in integrated medicine, or alternative medicine.

Integrative medicine is a holistic view of health care. It takes care of a patient’s mind, spirit and body all at once, and works along with traditional medicine.

Ohio State’s own Center for Integrative Medicine, located at 2000 Kenny Rd., opened about seven months ago and offers a wide variety of treatments that students may not find elsewhere on campus. Treatments and therapies range from family and sports medicine, acupuncture, Shiatsu, stone massage, yoga, chiropractic, herbal counseling and many more.

Laura Kunze, a representative for the center, said the offices were arranged using the art of feng shui to “balance energy in the building and incorporate as much as we can to provide a healing environment.”

The walls of the rooms are bright and cheerful, yet tranquil. Pillows sit neatly on the ground in some rooms, cozy couches are in others.

Integrative medicine does have it’s skeptics, but Kunze encourages people to learn more about it.

“There’s a lot of misconception,” she said. “It’s traditional medicine, plus adding in modalities that are proven effective.”

Kunze recommends the treatments at the facility to everyone, but acknowledges they could benefit some people more than others. People suffering from chronic illnesses or even those who want to prevent illnesses are known to be patients. Kunze said some patients have tried medicines or surgeries for years with no relief before trying integrative medicine and having success.

“Sometimes we’ll offer medications and supplements to our patients, but we also look at what else may help them,” Kunze said.

Pain control is what OSU’s Dr. Constantino Benedetti specializes in. Although he is not a specialist in integrative medicine, he does believe it can be beneficial for patients to try it.

“It’s certainly helpful in some situations,” he said. “Therapy has to be individualized to see what works best for the patient.”

Some start off as employees of the center and believe in it so much that they become patients.

Sarah Wilkins, a junior in animal science and pre-veterinary medicine, is a believer in these alternative therapies. She works at the center and decided to become a patient two months ago. During that time she has tried reiki – a healing energy treatment – massages and chiropractic treatments.

“I feel better in general,” she said after the treatments.

Wilkins is a former athlete with old injuries that used to cause her headaches and muscle tension. Since her therapies at the clinic, her headaches and tension have gone away.

“Everyone should have a massage,” she said. “They’re great.”

Besides the massages and chiropractor visits, Wilkins also recommends that athletes and other students try reiki. Wilkins describes it as “a light touch that helps more energy move through the body.”

The reiki sessions are conducted in a calm, relaxing setting so that the patient feels peaceful and can concentrate on healing.

Wilkins said that not all her friends and family are believers in the medicine she uses.

“It’s 50-50,” she said. “They believe in the chiropractic and massage more than the energy healing, but they all believe it after they’ve tried it.”