Alternative medicine enjoys healthy business
Some chiropractors, acupuncturists, health food stores thriving
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Extras
Wieli Huang places acupuncture needles to treat patient Rose Barnhart, 73, of Englewood for headaches at Miami Valley Acupuncture Clinic. Huang said her alternative medicine practice remains solid despite the economy. Staff photo by Jan UnderwoodFAIRBORN — Despite the recession, Terry McCoskey's business is anything but out of joint.
The chiropractic physician said business was up 17 percent in 2008 from 2007. It's on pace to maintain or exceed that pace of growth this year, he said.
"It's really quite remarkable," said McCoskey, whose practice, The Living Well Spine Center, is at 1145 Channingway Drive in Fairborn. "If you sat out in our front room, you'd think we cured everything from hemorrhoids to impotence."
Business has been good partly because people want to head off the need for more invasive and costly procedures, he said. "There's never been a better time to take care of yourself."
Alternative medicine hasn't been immune to the layoffs wracking the Dayton region or shaking consumer confidence. But several local businesses say they're holding their own and, in cases like McCoskey's, even thriving.
"We're hearing from some of our members that it's difficult, but other members are having record months," said Woody Woodward, executive director of the 900-member Ohio State Chiropractic Association. "Even during tough economic times, people are taking their wellness seriously. People are going to control what they can control."
At Health Foods Unlimited in Centerville, shoppers' demand for everything from homeopathics and herbals to vitamins and supplements has held steady, though brand loyalty has eroded as customers seek the best deals, said the store's Thom McDonald. And more customers are checking prices by phone.
"People look for value, but they also look for a proactive way to stay healthy," McDonald said. An Oprah endorsement still brings in traffic, he said, and doctors are looking at alternatives to prescriptions to keep patients well.
Weili Huang said business at Miami Valley Acupuncture Clinic, 6303 N. Main St. in Dayton, was down 25 percent in the last half of 2008 compared to the year-earlier period. But she's satisfied with the amount of business she's getting, noting it began picking up again last week.
Carmen Kolz, 50, of Dayton keeps making appointments with Kolz despite a drop in her Centerville business, which provides fitness and strength training for dogs and cats.
The retired Air Force veteran said acupuncture treatments helped her avoid a hysterectomy for menopause-related symptoms. They also have alleviated heartburn.
It's worth paying out of pocket, she said, "to be able to avoid surgery."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7457 or bsutherly@DaytonDailyNews.com.
