Tina Kotulski, CFO and Dr. Jeffrey Kotulski, Doctor of OsteopathyBetween the Bridges Healing Center understands and embodies this holistic approach to health, aiming to restore balance and harmony within the connected web of our existence.
The center’s name, a metaphor for transition and healing, encapsulates the very essence of its mission; to guide individuals to the light of wellness, bridging the gap between conventional treatment and comprehensive care.
With regenerative medicine leaping forward with technologies like stem cell therapy, tissue engineering and gene editing, Between the Bridges Healing Center is leading the charge into this next phase of regenerative care with its all-encompassing approach.
Rooted in the principles of osteopathic medicine, it brings to life an integrative approach to care with conservative therapies, nutrition guidance, lifestyle modifications and continued monitoring.
The clinic is a tribute to Mildred Ann Stafford Smiley (Millie), the late mother of Tina Kotulski, CFO of Between the Bridges Healing Center. Her mental illness journey motivated Tina and Dr. Jeffrey Kotulski, an osteopath, to discover a pathway that led to 20 years of optimal health and a better quality of life for Millie. The compelling narrative is shared in Tina Kotulski’s heartfelt book, “Saving Millie: A Daughter’s Story of Surviving her Mother’s Schizophrenia.” It offers insight and hope to people navigating mental illness.
Transforming Sick Care to Health Care
Between the Bridges Healing Center stands out in the medical community by differentiating sick care from health care, a distinction overlooked in the wider medical field.
Overwhelmed by the proliferation of diseases, the current healthcare system follows the sick care model, which concentrates on disease management and treatment rather than the overall health and well-being of patients. It reduces its scope to curing the disease rather than adopting a holistic approach that includes prevention, health maintenance and regeneration.
A health care model recognizes that although the journey should begin with treating the illness to stabilize the patient, the goal should be directed toward enhancing the overall health. Between the Bridges Healing Center places this at the core of its services. It underscores that care focused on rejuvenation can tap into the vast potential of regenerative medicine techniques, interventions and insights to make true health restoration a reality.
“We aim for a paradigm shift in healthcare, from a reactive stance on illness to a proactive strategy that prioritizes health and wellness as the ultimate objectives,” says Tina Kotulski.
Diagnostic Approaches over Traditional Pharmaceuticals
The COVID-19 pandemic saw the rise of respiratory illnesses. While some individuals recovered without complications, others became long haulers, characterized by prolonged symptoms. The wide range of physical symptoms took a toll on people’s mental health, leading to psychiatric disturbances, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression and acute psychosis.
A significant number of individuals who came to Between the Bridges had previously been given medications to manage these mental illnesses, following standard medical care protocol. The healing center adopted a more holistic healthcare perspective, interpreting these conditions as manifestations of an underlying immune system shift.
This viewpoint advocates for a nuanced diagnostic approach over pharmaceuticals, using tests to analyze neurotransmitter levels or gut health and identify metabolic imbalances linked to psychiatric symptoms.
The model espoused by the center prioritizes nutrient optimization through intravenous solutions, dietary counseling and supplementation rather than disease definition.
To determine the nutrient status, the center measures intracellular nutrient levels and examines immune responses. It investigates the immune system’s activity at multiple levels, combining standard tests with complex investigations for a comprehensive understanding of the root cause.
Our Primary Goal Is To Assess An Individual’s Health Potential Without Categorizing Them Based On Their Illness, Such As Being A Cancer Or Depression Patient. Instead, We Strive To Identify The Underlying Issues Preventing Optimal Health
Later, it examines toxin accumulation within cells using a diverse array of tools and standard tests, along with analyses of saliva, urine and blood. The center has various energy-based devices to assess changes in the body’s conductivity, aiding in identifying cell communication issues. This approach allows practitioners to effectively understand an individual's health, pinpointing specific toxins to which they may have been exposed.
By determining the toxin levels and understanding the nutrient imbalances, any illness or disease can be defined based on how these factors affect the body. The providers can then tailor the treatment to address the specific concerns.
“Our primary goal is to assess an individual's health potential without categorizing them based on their illness, such as being a cancer or depression patient. Instead, we strive to identify the underlying issues preventing optimal health,” says Dr. Jeffrey Kotulski. “This holistic approach encompasses mind, body and spirit and leads to an improved outcome that surpasses initial expectations.”
Optimizing Health through Treatment Stacking
Upon identifying the root cause, Between the Bridges proceeds with hands-on modalities, applying practical interventions to resolve issues. It includes cutting-edge treatments, notably extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozone (EBOO), making it among the first 50 clinics globally to offer this powerful ozone and UV light therapy. It also employs pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy and combines different modalities with various light therapies aimed at mitochondrial and cellular enhancement.
Emphasizing physical well-being, the center offers chiropractic care to enhance the lymphatic flow, and employs detoxification modalities targeting the liver, kidneys and skin. Various modalities are tailored for joint problems, offering chiropractic, naturopathic and hands-on car
It also offers various injection therapies, notably prolozone and platelet-rich plasma therapy, along with what was formerly known as exosomes and stem cell injections. This ‘stacking’ method layers treatments to optimize health and mobility.
“While patients undergo their treatments, we offer aesthetic care to support detoxification and rehabilitation at cellular and skin levels, a holistic wellness strategy that nurtures the patients externally and internally,” says Breigha Kotulski, BSN-RN, AP esthetician, Between the Bridges Healing Center.
Patients often arrive in a state of desperation, with symptoms manifesting prominently on their skin. This is addressed through hyperthermic ozone and carbonic acid transdermal therapy (HOCATT), a sauna equipped with far and near-infrared light, ozone and PEMF to remove blockages and enhance oxygenation for rejuvenation.
Aiding this process is the infusion center, with patients undergoing extensive, multi-faceted therapy sessions over several days. Its facilities include a patio where patients can relax and dine between treatments, transforming their experience into what feels like a spa day.
Renewed Health through Collaborative Treatments
Whether a client is going through acute care or pursuing personal health goals, Between the Bridges Healing Center understands their unique journey and meets them where they are.
All staff members, from reception to nursing, are well-versed in the intake process and are trained to communicate effectively with patients. An intake employee directs new patients to the appropriate provider based on their concerns. During the first visit, a comprehensive assessment covering the patient's physical, mental and spiritual health is conducted, including a detailed health history and review of any recent diagnostics. The assessment contains a detox questionnaire, designed to gauge the patient's detoxification efficiency and symptoms, providing insights into their readiness for treatment.
Treatment plans are collaboratively developed, often requiring compromises to align with the client’s pace and intensity, emphasizing the importance of compliance through partnership.
-
We Aim For A Paradigm Shift In Healthcare, From A Reactive Stance On Illness To A Proactive Strategy That Prioritizes Health And Wellness As The Ultimate Objectives
Every new patient undergoes a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to evaluate fluid concentration in the cells, offering a snapshot of cellular health and indicating the level of needed recovery support. This initial, one-hour appointment allows patients to share their complete health narrative, ensuring they are fully heard by the physician, who may recommend additional care, such as naturopathic, aesthetic or chiropractic treatments.
Following the physician’s assessment, patients may be evaluated for aesthetic needs or directed to the infusion center for nutrient support, often on the same day as their intake appointment. It is not unusual for patients to receive some form of immediate treatment, facilitating a speedy start to their recovery. This ensures patients leave feeling hopeful and cared for, having already begun their journey toward improved health.
Tim, a clinic patient, was in good health prior to a car accident that resulted in a broken nose and postconcussion syndrome. Seeking treatment for the scarring on his nose, he consulted with the clinic's medical esthetician, opting for a non-surgical approach. The treatment involves patented microneedling and radiofrequency therapy with exosomes that reduce redness and swelling.
During treatment, Tim expressed struggles with postconcussion symptoms, including brain fog and diminished engagement in daily activities. The clinic's comprehensive care approach led to a customized plan that included IASIS microcurrent neurofeedback, PEMF therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), along with nutritional support. These interventions addressed his physical injuries and cognitive symptoms, resulting in significant improvement. Tim regained the ability to do yard work and felt like himself for the first time since the accident, thanks to the clinic’s practical and holistic approach to patient care.
Elevating Recovery through Community and Environmental Health
With an exceptional team of providers, Between the Bridges Healing Center seeks to expand its retreat center to provide housing for patients who need extended stays.
The retreat center incorporates nature as a fundamental part of its healing modalities, offering patients access to walking trails, a river and abundant greenery. Incorporating nature into the healing process is expected to elevate patient recovery to a new level, shifting toward community healing and environmental rejuvenation. By engaging in efforts to clean up water, air and food sources within a natural setting, the clinic aims to impart a powerful message of sustainability and restoration.
