Chicago Tribune (CT) - TUESDAY, September 17, 1996 Edition: NORTH SPORTS FINAL Section: METRO CHICAGO Page: 3 Word Count: 569 MEMO: COLUMN: City watch. Health.
James Hill, Tribune Staff Writer.

The AIDS Alternative Health Project (AAHP), founded in 1986 by a small group of acupuncturists and massage therapists, is a non-profit provider of complementary HIV/AIDS health care services. It is the largest clinic of its kind in the nation and is endorsed by the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Unlike hospitals and doctors who provide primary medical care for people infected with HIV/AIDS, the North Side clinic, through a corps of 75 licensed volunteer health care professionals, offers a full array of services that complement and augment primary medical care. The services include mental health counseling, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, yoga, herbal therapies, physical therapy and other services that can ease symptoms and the side effects of modern drug therapies for HIV/AIDS.

Now, the organization is taking the fight a step further by forming a new cooperative with Catholic Health Partners, which includes St. Joseph Hospital and Columbus Hospital. It marks the first such cooperative effort. St. Joseph started the first specialized HIV/AIDS care center in the city 10 years ago.

The cooperative has established a first of a kind hot line for people stricken with HIV/AIDS: 888-712-CARE.

The hot line puts callers in direct contact with AAHP professionals who can arrange a physician visit within 48 hours of the call. As many of those suffering with HIV/AIDS know, trying to obtain treatment or appointments with HIV/AIDS specialists can be a long and frustrating task.

"We want to make it easier for people with HIV/AIDS to access the full range of services they need," said Barry Meiners, development director at AAHP. "People who have HIV/AIDS have real immediate needs. . . . Waiting four or six weeks or more for treatment could mean the difference between life and death."

"Services like this are sorely needed for people like me," said 32-year-old Timothy, who has AIDS and wishes not to use his last name. "I have used things like acupuncture and massage therapy to help ease the discomfort of the disease and some of the medication they give me at the hospital. . . . Usually when I tell people I go to an acupuncturist, they look at me like I'm crazy, but these types of alternative treatments really do help, particularly when you couple them with a good diet."

In fact, according to doctors, international research indicates that an individual's proactive approach to personal care from the earliest stages of HIV infection, including sustained attention to adequate nutrition, exercise and stress reduction can greatly enhance, sustain and improve their immune system health when combined with aggressive care.

Hours for the HIV/AIDS hot line are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. During other non-business hours, callers can leave messages that a staffer will return within 24 hours, Meiner said.

"Too many people face HIV infection alone and feel they have nowhere to turn and no one to talk to," said Michael Brickman, executive director of AAHP. "The purpose of this hot line is to provide people with easy and direct access to experienced and compassionate professionals who can point them in the right direction and provide reassuring information."

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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