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Mind, body, spirit: Physician offers holistic service

Like almost any prospective business owner, Dr. Jennifer Pryor knew she was taking a chance when she launched Akasha Center for Holistic Medicine.

But she felt a medical practice offering an array of medical services and therapies not readily available for many people in the area was overdue.

“Some people still look down on unconventional medicine,” she said. “We are taking a leap of faith.”

So far, Pryor said people are coming for the different treatments and educational programs offered.

Pryor, a medical physician, heads up the small holistic practice at 2300 E. Third St., Williamsport, which includes a nurse practitioner.

Holistic, often confused with alternative medicine, is care that provides for the whole person — mind, body and spirit.

Treatments include everything from primary care, occupational and physical therapies to lymphatic drainage reiki and healing energy.

“We have been doing yoga from the beginning,” she said.

Educational sessions covering holistic topics are offered too as well as nutritional consultations.

“We have a men’s group we are going to be starting,” she said. “We are inviting people to come out and speak. We are trying to get as many people involved as we can.”

An on-site retail store offers products supporting healthy lifestyles.

Pryor said the store serves as a complement to FreshLife, a natural food and wellness store, located next door.

She noted that it’s the only area holistic center accepting insurance.

Overall, the business has been a big undertaking.

“It’s way bigger than I thought it would be,” she said. “There is no way to control all the details. There have been surprising bonuses. It’s bringing the right people together.”

Early on, Pryor worked with the Lock Haven University Small Business Center to help get started.

Prior to that, she did a lot of research on her type of business.

Still, as with any business start-up, there was that learning process.

“There have been the usual bumps we had to work through,” she said. “Overall, we are on track. It’s definitely more complicated than I thought it would be.”

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