IDAHO FALLS – Seeing people improve their health and transform their lives is what makes Michelle Smith smile, and she recently opened a medical clinic to do just that.
The Idaho Falls woman launched Transformative Journey Healthcare at 749 Oxford Drive in September. It aims to help people regain health and “reverse chronic diseases,” which include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. Helping clients change their lifestyle habits is how these illnesses are improved.
“People are looking for a new approach,” Smith told EastIdahoNews.com. “They’re not necessarily looking for a pill to treat the symptoms they’ve had over the years. They really want to be healthy.
Smith is quick to add that medications can be helpful and often prescribes them to clients who are in poor condition. But the goal is to make small changes in hopes of reducing or stopping treatment altogether.
New clients complete a 15-page assessment on their diet, physical activity, sleep habits, stress levels and other aspects of their lifestyle. Smith then works with the patient to create a plan tailored to their needs.
“The hardest thing a person can do in life is change their lifestyle,” says Smith. “Habits become deeply rooted.”
After four months in business, Smith acquired 73 clients throughout Eastern Idaho.
Tina Anderson, 54, of Pocatello, became one of his patients early on. At the time, she was struggling with her weight and also suffered from high blood pressure and kidney problems.
“I was in the early stages of kidney failure,” Anderson says.
Anderson worked with Smith to develop a health plan.
Four months later, she lost 20 pounds, normalized her blood pressure for the first time in years, and improved her kidney function by 31 points.
This was all achieved through changes in her diet and increasing her level of physical activity.
Anderson says she has more energy and feels better than she has in a long time, and she couldn’t be happier.
These results are why Smith opened the clinic.
“When I see patients having this kind of success, it fuels (my passion),” she says. “This is why I do what I do.”
Smith has worked in the healthcare industry for many years. She is a nurse practitioner, but is also a certified lifestyle medicine practitioner through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the only one in Eastern Idaho.
“The nearest one is in Burley,” says Smith.
About 20 years ago, Smith says she was about 40 pounds overweight and that started her own health care journey. Her success and the lessons she learned along the way played a role in opening this clinic.
“I practice what I preach,” she says. “I love what I do. I only think about health and well-being.
Smith wants to see his business grow and eventually move to a larger building. She hopes to eventually hire another practitioner to join the practice.
“I would love to be busy enough to try (Burley Man) to move to Idaho Falls and be part of the clinic,” she said.
Transformative Journey Healthcare is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is also open for half a day on the first Friday of each month.
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