Wellness center empowers clients through choices
By Katie Reeder • SMN Intern
Jackie Beecher wants clients to feel empowered in making decisions about their health when they come to Nurture Wellness Studio.
Located in Bryson City, Nurture Wellness Studio was opened with the hope to raise awareness about the alternatives to western medicine. Their work is not at odds with traditional medicine. Rather, Beecher said the fields are complementary.
“The philosophy is to bring wellness in a holistic manner and a joyful manner,” Beecher said.
The studio offers massage therapy, acupuncture and belly dancing and yoga classes. It also offers chiropractic services at its wellness clinic.
The wellness clinic is open 2:30 to 7 p.m. every Thursday. It offers reduced rates and operates on a first-come-first-serve basis. Clients come in and sign up for any combination of massage therapy, acupuncture or chiropractic therapy.
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Beecher said part of the idea for opening the clinic was a desire to make it possible for a larger segment of the community to benefit from the services Nurture Wellness offered.
“I believe that we have done a really good service in this community by bringing the clinic here to Bryson,” she said.
She said many clients who come to them are looking to make a lifestyle change. Some that may have conditions that warrant pain medications cause undesirable side affects that can send patients searching for another answer. She said other clients come simply looking to lead healthier lives.
“A lot of times people are locked into habits, and they don’t know how to make some changes,” she said.
She said fear is often an obstacle that keeps people from trying these alternative methods.
Chris Basset, the wellness center’s acupuncturist, said this is a common misconception about acupuncture, as people are afraid the procedure will be painful. He said while acupuncture can be “strong” and sometimes produce a level of discomfort, it is not the painful procedure people often envision it to be.
Basset uses acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to treat illnesses like the common cold, sleep disorders and psychological issues. He compared it to family medicine in the sense that it covers a wide range of ailments.
Acupuncture revolves around trying to bring about homeostasis in the body and normalize the organ systems.
“We’re trying to expel pathogens and show them the door,” he said.
Beecher said these services often give people a better outlook on life because they provide relief from whatever symptoms the client was suffering.
A nationally certified massage therapist, Beecher said massage therapy can help regulate the body as part of a healthy lifestyle. Besides causing tension throughout the body, stress activates hormones that create build-up in arteries. It can also lead to sleeping problems — something more serious than just being tired, Beecher said.
“People need sleep because when we sleep, that’s when our body can really begin to heal itself,” she said.
She said massage therapy is especially beneficial for people experiencing pain, stress and psychological issues. “We’re taught in this world to always be busy,” she said. “I really try to teach (my clients) to go within and find the stillness.”
She said deep breathing is a simple way to relax. The act of exhaling reduces tension, and Beecher said taking this time allows people to shift their mindsets and better examine how they are dealing with stressful situations.
Having good posture is another way to reduce pain. Beecher said she and her colleagues have noticed that much of people’s pain problems stem from poor posture. Part of correcting this is making people more aware of how they naturally walk and sit and how they can make adjustments to correct their posture. She said it’s about giving people a chance to change.
“Change, as in everything, can be a little difficult, a little challenging, but it’s always worthwhile,” she said.
For more information visit www.nurturewellnessstudio.com or call 828.400.9616.
