When symptoms persist, despite all you’ve tried, the doctors and care team at Aralia Health in Missoula can work collaboratively with physicians to find solutions when all else has fallen short.
Dr. Stephanie Raven recounted one patient’s remarkable journey to healing. "She came to us after years of debilitating pain. Initially, her discomfort was centered in her lower back, but after a nerve ablation she experienced a worsening of her chronic pain,” Dr. Raven explained. The pain became so intense that even simple tasks felt overwhelming. She had sought help from multiple physicians and tried various treatments, but nothing brought lasting relief. The doctors at Aralia listened carefully and developed a personalized treatment plan. After a series of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections targeting her lower back, she saw significant improvement. “For the first time in years, she wasn’t just managing pain. She was reclaiming her ability to move freely without fear,” said Dr. Raven.
In addition to chronic pain, clinicians often see patients who sense that something isn’t right, even though their traditional doctor couldn’t find anything wrong. Practice Manager, Arielle Wilson, sees the frustration in their faces when they first walk in the door and are at their wit’s end. “People feel defeated and exhausted. They were told nothing is wrong, but something feels off. Their hair might be falling out or they haven’t changed anything but gained 30 pounds. They’re doing their best, but nothing is changing,” she said.
That’s when it's time for the kind of behind-the-curtain care that Aralia physicians provide. The care collective includes Dr. Stephanie Raven, Dr. Marissa Cavalier, Dr. Payton Robertson, medical assistant Renée Kennedy, and Practice Manager, Arielle Wilson. Although patients may come to Aralia seeking a natural way to feel better, they soon discover that they’re getting the best of both traditional and modern medicine. “We take a whole-person approach and are deeply rooted in evidence-based care,” said Dr. Raven. “We also acknowledge the importance of the mind-body connection, and if we can support healing with fewer medications, then that’s a win for the patient,” she said.
Arielle does everything in her power to ensure a seamless transition for someone coming from a conventional care situation. The first priority is to avoid putting a patient in the uncomfortable role of being a middle-man and interpreter between two different medical approaches. “It takes a team,” Arielle said. “Our doctors have really great referral networks with other physicians in town. They’ll never undermine what other physicians recommend.” Doctors at Aralia can also process labs, exchange health records with other clinics, and write up orders for imaging. Beyond the exam table and prescription pads, each doctor has done the work of becoming credentialed with all major insurance carriers, so most services can be billed through a patient’s insurance. In addition, they’re always working toward affordable self-pay options.
At Aralia Health, patient care is not one-size-fits-all. “We don’t dictate what patients must do but instead, ensure they understand their options and feel confident in their plan,” Dr. Raven said. Making each patient’s confidence a priority engenders a level of trust that strengthens the provider-patient relationship. “We invest in our community by focusing around community-centered natural medicine,” Arielle said. “We recognize that both physicians and patients learn from one another. When we can be present with someone who had lost hope for improving their situation, that’s two more people going out into our community and feeling better.”