For those suffering with chronic pain, it can be important to look at all types of treatment options. The knowledgeable practitioners at RISE Physical Therapy and Wellness Center aim to give patients the tools they need to navigate their pain. They focus on simple lifestyle changes and physical therapy as important tools patients can call upon in their quest for health.

RISE Wellness Center, 322 W. Main St. in Smethport, is a labor of love for Dr. Chanae Day and Racheal Arnivas.

Day is a veteran who completed her medical degree while fulfilling her service.

“I have been a physical therapist for over 15 years and worked in a variety of settings but I always felt limited either by insurance companies or administration,” said Day. “I just felt like I was never really able to help people in the way that I wanted.”

The pair met while running a clinic together in San Antonio. They both moved to the area a few years ago. Day said she would have never taken the step of opening her own business if it wasn’t for Arnivas.

“She was that one person in my corner who encouraged me,” said Day. “She had no doubt we could do this.”

Day offers physical therapy evaluations, pelvic floor physical therapy and treatments while Arnivas provides wellness treatments such as hormone coaching and massages.

“I am a pelvic floor physical therapist so we thought my services would dovetail well into what Racheal is offering, looking at the hormones,” said Day.

“With the hormones, it is more of a holistic approach to health,” said Arnivas. “I am really going deep with people and looking at every aspect of their lives to see where we can make improvements.”

Arnivas said sometimes it is simple changes that can make the biggest differences in people’s quality of life.

“if you are going through pain every day and suddenly that pain is gone, that is going to be a huge improvement in your day to day outlook,” said Arnivas. “That level of healing is what I want for everyone.

As part of that holistic approach, she does home health calls to evaluate what her patients need.

“It is powerful when patients are willing to open up and be vulnerable by letting us into their homes,” said Arnivas. “If they don’t need anything that day we will do their dishes or help fold laundry — anything to make their day easier and see them smile.”

Physical therapy is for more than immediately following surgery, Day said.

“It can help with any kind of musculoskeletal pain, so that includes things like arthritis, sciatica, migraines and fibromyalgia,” Day said.

Other services they offer include infrared sauna, trigger point dry needling and deep cleansing salt scrubs. They also offer special girl’s night parties.

“That’s where you and up to four friends can come in, get a scrub, have some charcuterie board, watch a movie and relax,” said Arnivas. “It is a great chance to recharge while reconnecting with friends.”

RISE is a self-pay option for therapy, although some patients are able to get reimbursement from their insurance companies. Costs start at $50 for a 30 minute massage and $80 for an hour. Pelvic floor initial exams are $170 while follow up appointments are $85. Regular physical therapy appointments are $130 for the initial appointment and $85 per follow up.

“We also offer payment plans and visit bundles to kind of help people out,” said Day.

For both women, there is nothing more fulfilling than helping their patients make positive life changes that create marked differences in their health.

“People’s quality of life can change drastically within just a few months with simple exercises and advice,” said Day.