Rochester's bustling northeast business district surrounding Whistle Binkies has a tenant that has been expanding instead of laying off workers during the past year.
The Rochester Clinic has added psychiatry and neurology services at its multi-specialty facility during its first year of operation.
"We added psychiatry because it's such a great need in the community," said podiatrist and clinic chief manager Dr. Jengyu Lai.
The clinic held an open house Thursday, drawing a steady stream of visitors.
One treatment room that drew a lot of attention includes a treadmill and computerized foot sensors used by the clinic's two podiatrists, Lai and his colleague, Dr. David Jones. Patients walk on the treadmill after putting the sensors into their own shoes, Jones said. Video is taken at the same time as sensor read-outs are being produced. That helps the health providers learn the point in the walking cycle pain is getting triggered.
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"This is able to detect a very fine level of what's going on," Jones said.
Licensed acupuncturist and certified oriental medicine practitioner Tong Mei said she's among the busiest of the clinic's providers. Women in particular are looking for her mix of Chinese medicine and Western medicine.
Mei offers acupuncture and "cupping," which involves heat and the use of glass cups to treat pain.
Each patient, she said, receives treatment according to that person's needs. Some, for example, might be referred for a standard pain-medicine injection before getting acupuncture. She looks for the best treatment, but also the treatment that will save the patient money.
Lai said patients do not need to give up current treatments. Instead, Rochester Clinic staff provide services that "complement" ongoing treatment the patient is already receiving.
Herbal medicine is also practiced at the clinic.
"Herbal medicine is very gentle for women's health," Lai said.
The clinic currently has five specialties, including psychiatry, family medicine, acupuncture, podiatry and neurology.
