For the past three weeks, like many other medical services in the Pearl River County area, Picayune Chiropractic has been providing emergency care to prevent people from going to the emergency room during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to making the decision to keep providing care during the pandemic, Varnado said he polled his employees to see if they would be willing to put themselves at risk.
While Dr. John Varnado had to cut hours to his business and reduce staff, he is still open several days a week to meet the needs of his patients dealing with sciatica, numbness or tingling in their legs and/or arms. Dr. Varnado and his staff can also help people who are dealing with any pain that may be restricting their ability to move.
While meeting those needs, staff have been abiding by the hygiene and cleanliness policies established by the Centers for Disease Control, Office Manager Susie Williams said.
Picayune Chiropractic has been able to keep four people on staff, enabling the business to see up to six people by appointment only.
A potential patient does not need a referral from a doctor to seek chiropractic care, but Dr. Varnado said that if he sees a patient and feels they need to be seen by another specialist or hospital personnel he will send them to seek those services.
During this time, Picayune Chiropractic is open Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Dr. Varnado said he is currently unable to take walk-in patients, so he asks that anyone seeking his care call 601-799-2225 to make an appointment.
The effect of the pandemic has caused his business to decline, so Varnado said he intends to apply to the Small Business Administration to seek help.
While his office remains open during the pandemic, Varnado and his staff are adhering to CDC recommendations concerning screening patients. That screening process includes asking potential patients if they exhibit signs of COVID-19 or have traveled to a place that has a high number of cases.
“We would much rather them come here to fix the problem rather than just cover it up,” Williams said. “Pain pills should be the last resort.”
Picayune Chiropractic is located at 403 Memorial Boulevard, Picayune.