A new holistic wellness center has opened on the corner of 48th and Chicago Avenue in the old home of Parkway Hardware Store. Spark Clinic previously operated out of the Shenandoah Wellness Center, but they moved to their own space last month.
Spark is a wellness center that not only provides holistic medical care for chronic health problems, but also sees patients on a walk-in basis, very similar to the MinuteClinic and other urgent care facilities. To their knowledge, the innovative clinic is the first of its kind in the United States to provide homeopathic walk-in care. According to Desirée Brazelton, a homeopathic provider at the clinic, Spark can handle any malady that a traditional walk-in clinic would treat, such as ear infections, sore throat, fever and sinus infections. In its new space the clinic has also added ongoing homeopathic wellness care to heal chronic diseases such as anxiety, depression, pain, headaches and asthma. Homeopathic medicine focuses on complete wellness, which is a welcomed alternative from the ailment specific acute care provided by many physicians.
The clinic employs 12 practitioners as well as 15 yoga instructors. Holistic nurse practitioners and homeopathic care providers will help diagnose and treat illnesses.
Additional services include familiar ones such as yoga, massage, acupuncture and reiki (chiropractic care is most likely coming soon). Not-so-common medical techniques also offered include cupping therapy, and tuning fork therapy. Very cool. Wait … what? I had to clarify those two from Melody Pekarek, a licensed acupuncturist (L. Ac.) at Spark.
She enlightened me about the practice and benefits of those unfamiliar (at least to me) treatments.
Cupping is one of Spark’s walk-in services. It is similar to a deep massage and is most appropriate for muscles that have had trauma (think a pulled or torn muscle in your back). Glass cups in a variety of sizes are used to create a suction to break up stagnant Qi and blood. Qi (pronounced chi) came up several times in Pekarek’s discussion. Qi is translated to “life energy or energy flow,” and is the overarching principle of Chinese medicine.
Tuning fork therapy was another one for which I needed a little education. I learned that it is based on the principle that the body responds well to tones and vibrations. The tuning forks are gently placed on the body as an alternative for people who would benefit from acupuncture but are hesitant about the use of needles.” Pekarek clarified that, “Using the tuning forks sends the tone of the fork and the vibration through the body, stimulating the acupuncture point.” Tuning fork therapy can be used as a healing tool for a variety of conditions and is a popular choice for children. Sessions last about 20 minutes.
Cupping is one of Spark’s walk-in services. It is similar to a deep massage and is most appropriate for muscles that have had trauma (think a pulled or torn muscle in your back). Glass cups in a variety of sizes are used to create a suction to break up stagnant Qi and blood. Qi (pronounced chi) came up several times in Pekarek’s discussion. Qi is translated to “life energy or energy flow,” and is the overarching principle of Chinese medicine. Tuning fork therapy and ear candling are both part of Spark’s ongoing wellness services. During an ear candling session, a specially designed candle is placed into a patient’s ear. “The candle creates a very gentle vacuum which stimulates Qi. It is a very relaxing treatment to help with ear issues such as ear aches, plugged ears and tinnitus, or ringing in the ears,” explained Pekarek. Tuning fork therapy was another one for which I needed a little education. I learned that it is based on the principle that the body responds well to tones and vibrations. The tuning forks are gently placed on the body as an alternative for people who would benefit from acupuncture but are hesitant about the use of needles. Pekarek clarified that, “Using the tuning forks sends the tone of the fork and the vibration through the body, stimulating the acupuncture point.” Tuning fork therapy can be used as a healing tool for a variety of conditions and is a popular choice for children. Sessions last about 20 minutes.
If Spark’s services sound interesting to you, but you’re skeptical about non-traditional methods for yourself or your family, you are not alone. Brazelton said many people are hesitant about trying homeopathic care. She quelled many of my hesitations by sharing that, “Most times, by going to the holistic route you get results more quickly. All services boost the immune system so patients are less prone to recurrence of illness.” Quicker treatments and fewer doctor appointments? Sounds good to me. The staff at Spark will help determine which modalities would be most beneficial for specific ailments.
Currently, Spark Clinic only accepts insurance for the services provided by its nurse practitioner. The clinic is in the process of becoming accredited to accept insurance for its other services. Health Savings and Flex Spending Accounts can often be used at the clinic. In celebration of its grand opening, services (excluding packages, medical care and yoga) are 50% off for the entire month of February. The brand-new yoga studio offers 24 weekly classes priced at $17 each on a drop-in basis, and a 10-pack pass is available for $145. New students are entitled to a 20% discount on their first class. Checkout Spark’s website at www.sparkclinic.org to learn about the services it provides and which may benefit you. You can also visit Spark Clinic on facebook at www.facebook.com/SparkClinic.
Spark’s address is 4748 Chicago Ave., Mpls. 55417; phone is 612-232-6453.
Raina Goldstein Bunnag is a public health and dietetics student and a long-term health junkie. She keeps abreast of the latest health news and will be addressing relevant wellness topics each month. If you have any questions or topics you would like to see covered in the column, please send her an e-mail at rainagoldstein@southsidepride.com.
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