Brick Wellness Clinic Reopens, Helping People Restore Balance

BRICK, NJ — In the 15 years he has been in practice, Jeff Hurewitz has never taken more than a few days off at a time. In February, as he and his staff at the Balance Wellness Center moved into their newly renovated space on Route 88 in Brick, it was the furthest thing from his mind.

Then the coronavirus pandemic hit. A planned grand opening was shelved. For eight weeks the gleaming offices sat silent.

"I remember saying to my staff, 'Can you imagine if we have to shut down for a whole week?,' " Hurewitz said earlier this week, days after finally celebrating the center's grand opening. Eight weeks was something he'd never considered.

It was very challenging, Hurewicz said, not only for him and his staff, but for their clients as well.

Balance Wellness Clinic is a multidisciplinary wellness team that offers supports not only for physical ailments but emotional and mental supports as well. Accupunture, cupping, and chiropractic care, along with yoga and meditation classes, psychology, nutrition and other holistic treatments are aimed at helping clients with their mental, physical and spiritual health.

"We don’t only treat sick people and people in pain," he said. "People use our services preventatively."

"To get the rug pulled out from underneath us and the brakes put on" was really difficult, he said.

Initially they relied on their sanitizing protocols, which already were in place because of the nature of the treatments they offer. But as concerns rose about the virus, Hurewitz decided to close up, for the safety of their patients and for the safety of the staff.

He applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan and initially was approved for only half of what he needed.

"I spent the entire shutdown thinking my business was going to implode," he said. "So much of what we do is hands on."

It was stressful for their clients, too. Before the shutdown, clients would come by even when they weren't on the appointment schedule, just for the social interaction. During the shutdown, they couldn't do that.

But Hurewicz and his staff found other ways to help. His wife, Margo, is the clinic's psychologist and spent the shutdown doing telehealth appointments. The clinic offered meditation programs via Zoom, and wellness support for people struggling with weight gain by telephone and nutrition tips on their Facebook page.

"Sometimes we are their only outlet," he said.

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Reopening in mid-May was a relief, but it also was a slow process, with services limited. Now, they're back to about 90 percent of their offerings.

"We reopened with just the chiropractic care at first," he said, but then added the acupuncture. "I tried to start bringing the staff back."

Some services, such as the meditation and yoga, they can offer outside behind the building where they created a courtyard. For those inside, they meticulously follow sanitizing procedures, even though they seem to change daily.

"In the beginning it really was overwhelming," Hurewitz said, but they have been cautious and following the guidelines.

Finally, on Sept. 17, they held their long-delayed official grand opening, complete with Mayor John Ducey cutting the ribbon, allowing Hurewitz and his team to celebrate making it through all the challenges.

Hurewitz said that was the biggest lesson he learned during the pandemic: that he was not alone.

"When times get tough, those that are close to you show up or don’t," he said. "My staff was incredible, staying connected" with each other and with patients. They were going above and beyond to make sure everything was done correctly, and that our patients were comfortable."

"The staff really blew my mind. During a time of immense stress and anxiety they really stepped up to meet the challenge," he said.

Patients have been understanding and supportive as well, respecting scheduling and respecting protocols. And they are just happy to be back, he said.

"They rely on us to stay well and stay strong, and to not have access to that was very challenging," Hurewitz said.

Now, balance has been restored, and Balance Wellness Clinic is back to helping people get their minds and bodies in the right place, he said.

"We want people to know that during a time of stress, there's alternatives (to medications, to drugs or to alcohol) out there to help them, Hurewitz said. The clinic is at 1999 Route 88 in Brick.

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