By: Las Vegas Now Staff
The stress of daily living can be tiring. But imagine adding a diagnosis of cancer to the mix. While a number of facilities across the valley offer methods of relaxation, such a yoga to cancer patients, there's a new place in town that's trying to take the concept to a new worry-free level.
At The Caring Place, near Jones and Harmon — cancer patients and their families have the opportunity to put their minds at ease through various relaxation techniques. And what's even better, patients don't have to deal with insurance companies or credit cards. The services are free.
There's reflexology for example — a type of foot message that promotes healing and relieves stress in other parts of the body. Others find a quiet sitting area to read and relax.
Las Vegas resident, Peter Brunold comes here for Reiki — a form of deep physical and mental relaxation. It provides a much needed break from his year long battle with colorectal cancer.
“To have found a place that can alleviate some of the worry and anxiety, to find people who are in a similar position and instructors that are very understanding, I didn't find that at the hospital to this extent,” said Brunold.
Caring Place executive director J.D. Fripp understands the stress of uncertainty. A cancer survivor himself, Fripp has been through intensive chemotherapy and much more.
“Every three months, I still go back, for example. So I have to sit across the table from someone who tells me, you're good or things aren't going so well. So it keeps me grounded in terms of things we attempt to do here at The Caring Place,” said Fripp.
Drawing from his own experience, Fripp knows it's hard to relax in a medical setting. And that's why The Caring Place is anything but.
“It doesn't smell like a medical facility. It doesn't sound like a medical facility. And it doesn't obviously look like a medical facility. And those were some of the ground rules in terms of the starting up of The Caring Place,” said Fripp.
Relaxation techniques and exercise help reduce anxiety and depression and can improve a person's overall mood.
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