Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Woodward Terranova.
Hi Pamela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started seeing a chiropractor when I was 16 after I developed back pain as a cheerleader. After no one in the allopathic system could figure out what was causing my pain – and all of them wanted me to stop cheering – my mom went out on a limb and took me to a chiropractor. After my first adjustment, I felt better than I had in years – and knew what I wanted to do with my life. While in school, I started to learn about the broader effects of chiropractic on the developing nervous and musculoskeletal systems, which is where my interest in working with younger children and infants began. It was a natural progression to go one step more and begin working with pregnant people before labor and delivery – and there you have it – First Step Chiropractic was born (pun absolutely intended).
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t know that starting one’s own business is ever smooth, but I’ll say my practice has grown very organically. My first practice members were genuinely great people and I enjoyed working with them. In turn, they referred people they liked and cared about, so it has made it such that I am even more excited to see my patients throughout the day. It’s easy to take care of people that feel like family. This past year and a half especially, it has been my privilege to support people’s health day in and day out. Even when we were limited by pandemic orders, I never worried about my practice bouncing back as soon as people were able to return to the office. They know I have their backs, and as a result, they have mine (again, pun 100% on purpose).
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
First Step Chiropractic is a family-centered chiropractic office. We specialize in gentle care and are a great fit for people who are nervous about being adjusted. There are a whole host of techniques chiropractors can utilize – none is necessarily better than any other, but it’s important that both the provider and the patient are comfortable with the one selected. Most of my patients are adjusted using a tiny instrument, known as an Activator, which takes the place of the manual ‘cracking’ many expect from chiropractic care that makes some people apprehensive. This technique is well received by pregnant patients (who are much more flexible than an average person and may be uncomfortable with more traditional adjusting) and by children. I take pride in the fact that while chiropractic has a lot of art and a little magic to it, it is still a science – and I make sure my patients have a good grasp on why we’re doing what we’re doing. Informed consent reigns supreme in this office and patient care is always a two-way street.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Patients have been in pretty rough shape between cobbled-together work-from-home setups, increased computer time, massive amounts of stress posturing, and physical ailments that haven’t taken a break just because there’s something bigger going on in the world. So, the office has never been busier. People are looking to take an active role in their healthcare and trying to supplement their typical approaches to taking care of themselves with a more holistic alternative. Chiropractic was made for this moment. We look forward to keeping this momentum going over the next several years, increasing our interaction with the community, and improving access to chiropractic care for growing families in Baltimore
Contact Info:
- Email: info@firststepbaltimore.com
- Website: firststepbaltimore.com
- Instagram: @firststepbaltimore
- Facebook: facebook.com/firststepchiro
Image Credits
Allison Misulia
