PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The emerging field of integrative health coaching and looking at alternatives to traditional treatment methods will be the focus of a conference at a local university.

Neck pain led to arm and hand discomfort and traditional treatments weren’t working for former NFL coach Dick Vermeil, so he tried acupuncture to relieve the pain.

“I went, and by God, about 90 percent of it went away. And that’s been now about eight months and I’m going to go back because I’m having pain in my left hip. I already had the right hip replaced but if it could help me with my left hip at least put it off for a while.”

Vermeil says alternative methods may not be a cure-all but should be considered to reach optimum wellness potential.

“There is value in health coaching and value in stimulating people to think about their health. Like I always say, ‘you belong to you, take good care of yourself.”

The annual integrative health conference will be held at West Chester University’s Asplundh Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Friday –  tickets are $10.

Reported by John McDevitt, KYW Newsradio