Pathways to Wellness, Inc.

FAQs

• Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

  “T. K.” was working out for an hour three times a week at the gym, giving her grandchildren piggy back rides, and wasn’t taking any prescription medications, despite being just a year away from her 70th birthday. But then her health “caved in” – increasing pain, loss of mobility, difficulty walking, and numbness in her left hand drastically affected her daily routine as well as her mental and emotional state. “Everything was a thought process: what can I carry home from the grocery store? Can I open this jar? Tie my shoes? Should I try to do laundry? Even my involvement with my grandchildren was put on hold.” Her primary care physician diagnosed arthritis and stenosis of the spine, and prescribed pain medications and physical therapy, but the next PT appointment wouldn’t be available for 6-8 weeks. Her doctor increased her pain medications, but she wasn’t getting relief, so “T. K.” contacted her insurance care manager, who recommended acupuncture. Her doctor recommended Pathways to Wellness. At her first appointment at Pathways, she met her acupuncturist, Mary. “I liked Mary’s approach immediately – her demeanor was calm and she explained how acupuncture sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. The receptionist was pleasant, the music and the atmosphere was mellow. Coming here was like a little escape.” Mary listened carefully to “T.K.”, and determined that acupuncture could probably help. And it did. “Immediately, after the first session, I could walk home…I live in the neighborhood, but it took so long to get there before the first treatment.” “T. K.” was seen for about 8 weeks, for two sessions a week, and had acupuncture, electro -acupuncture and moxa as part of her treatments. “When I started feeling relief and benefits from the acupuncture, I began to reduce my pain medications. Coming to acupuncture motivated me to begin exercising in the water, then I began swimming, without additional pain. Now I go to the pool 4 times a week, and go to spinning class.” “I’ve been able to get back to reading to my grandchildren on the floor, and still get up and move around.” “This experience has been an eye-opener for me. The absence of pain makes me want to be productive and find a new purpose at this stage of my life.”

• What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

  1. Make sure the provider is licensed in your state, and carries malpractice insurance. 2. Ask how long they have been practicing, and what conditions the majority of their customers are being treated for. 3. Expect the clinician to take a thorough intake, including asking for your medical history, current medications, as well as your current complaint(s). 4. Ask if the provider keeps records of your intake, treatment plan, and tracks the progress you are making towards resolution of your complaint.