The Impact of Writing on Aging

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ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation at Lely Palms

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Dec 20, 2021

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Florida - Southwest

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As a writer, I am fascinated by studies which evaluate writing content and styles and point us toward information we might not know about ourselves. Its like looking into the Magic 8-Ball to predict our future, only the ball is a piece of paper.
I wrote the first draft of this article by hand with a few caveats. In ninth grade, I adopted a calligraphy-like writing style for a history project. My penmanship was altered again as a computer science major in college by using graph paper. Nowadays, anyone reading my writing will notices a mix of looping cursive and boxy print. When writing by hand, I mostly correct my spelling errors. Using a computer, I rarely stop to correct grammar knowing the software will redline it for me to fix later.
What would any of this tell experts about my prospects for developing dementia as I aged?
The Nun Study

At the age of 14, Sister Mary (alias) entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Baltimore, and by 19, she had taken her vows. She taught English to middle-school students and took classes toward receiving her high school diploma. Sister Mary taught full-time until age 77 and retired at 84.
In her later years, the University of Kentucky approached Sister Mary and other nuns about a study related to Alzheimer's and the importance of donating their brains to neurological science. Nuns were an ideal control group because they shared the same environment, health and fitness regimen. As part of the study, Sister Mary had been constantly tested on eight focal areas to assess memory, concentration, language, visuospatial ability, and orientation to time and place. She consistently scored well within normal ranges.
As part of the broader study, researcher David Snowden reviewed personal essays each nun had written upon acceptance. One wrote, Now I am wandering about in Doves Lane waiting, yet only three more weeks, to follow in the footprints of my Spouse, bound to Him by the Holy Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. Another was a lister who wrote, I prefer teaching music to any other profession. Those whose writing styles portrayed a richer sense of grammar, imagination and emotion, such as the first writer, were less impacted by dementia than those who wrote in a more simplistic style.
Did the higher cognitive functioning come first, and therefore dictate what kind of writing style one might have proffered? And can one postpone the effects of memory loss through the continual development, even at that age, of writing styles? These are the questions scientists continue to ask.
Writing and Reading as We Age
We are often amazed by writers who author books into their old age. Margaret Atwood is still productive at age 81. Agatha Christie died at 86 but wrote until her end. At 97, Herman Wouk wrote The Lawgiver, and Toni Morrison published God Help the Child at age 84.
In Changing Minds, a book that examines the correlation between language and aging, Roger Kreuz and Richard Roberts found seniors in a living community used an average vocabulary of 21,000 words, while an average college student might only utilize 16,000 words, proving language mastery is a lifelong journey and learning does'nt necessarily end with school.
Other studies show we can prolong our lives and cognitive functioning by keeping a journal and reading fiction as a noted by the Yale University School of Public Health. People who read books for at least 30 minutes a day lived, on average, nearly two years longer than nonreaders. And at present, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is conducting a study into whether foreign language learning, which utilizes higher cognitive functioning, can also contribute to an increase in lifespan.
It turns out, age is not the sole factor in determining our reading abilities, writing capabilities and learning. Yet, our reading, writing and learning can help extend our age.
More about Handwriting
According to results published in The Lancet Journal for Clinical Medicine, a group of 80 men and women in their 70s, all cognitively normal, took part in a Framington Heart Study where they were administered a writing test before any had developed Alzheimer's.
Subjects described a drawing of a boy standing on an unsteady stool and reaching for a cookie jar on a high shelf while a woman, her back to him, is oblivious to an overflowing sink.
Their language was analyzed by artificial intelligence to predict who would be more likely to develop Alzheimer's or dementia. Those that utilized repetitive words, made more grammatical or spelling errors where a subject, article, or verb was missing were categorized in a group where eight years later, they were impacted by Alzheimer's disease. Based on the writings, the program had predicted with 75% accuracy who would develop cognitive impairment.
Aging and Me
My fathers chicken scratch was well-documented in our household. However, he was the storyteller and remembered details of long-forgotten events before succumbing to Parkinson's. My mothers handwriting was precise and was told she held her pen too tight. She was also a list maker, yet despite her dementia, she still read the headlines from magazine or newspapers I brought her. Whatever remained intact was a result of her reading and my reciting poetry aloud to her. The experts might have had difficulty predicting the outcomes of my parents.
As for me, my first draft of this article contained multiple spelling errors. With the luxury of knowing I would correct that, I tried simply to evoke a thought.
Every day, I push myself little more. Books from the library multiply like rabbits in my study. At age 55, after writing two memoirs, generating several volumes of poetry hidden in my files, and writing countless essays and articles, Im attempting to craft a second work of fiction. After reading conclusions of researchers, I fully expect this volume to keep my mind sharp.

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Therapy Stacking: an interview with Steve Spiro, CEO of Halotherapy Solutions

Welcome to Ageless Fitness and Wellness with your hosts, Alisa and Mike McGlothlin.Mike: Hi, everybody. Thank you for listening. My name is Mike McGlothlin. We have a very special guest today. We have the CEO of Halotherapy Solutions, Steve Spiro. Steve has over 35 years of highly successful business experience. He blends in 15 years of working at large consumer electric and technology companies and 22 years in the entrepreneurial spaces ofHe's been in multiple executive roles as an angel investor. He was on the original startup team of audible.com, which was ultimately sold to amazon.com. He's a true pioneer, an expert in growing new ideas and products, which we're going to be talking about today, and also been really involved in the consumer and business-to-business segments. He has a tremendous international experience. He's lived in Tokyo, China, and managed over 60 distributors in 40 different companies. His time in Asia introduced him to the power of natural healing modalities.Steve is now the CEO, and he has also been selected as the fifth consecutive year as chairman of the prestigious Global Wellness Institute Salt Therapy Initiative. So, thank you for taking time out, Steve, and joining us.Steve: Thank you. And thanks for that wonderful introduction. That was great.Mike: So, hey, I usually ask people to tell us something that we would not find on your LinkedIn portfolio, but I actually want to go back to your intro and tell us a little bit about how you got involved with Audible and bringing that to market as a startup team.Steve: That's great. Yeah, I'd been at Motorola for 15 years. I had just moved back from, I think, China at the time. And I was hoping to get, you know, a big promotion inside Motorola. But Motorola said I'd been gone in Asia for too long. And I wasn't an engineer. So, they put me in this little desk that strategize about things. And I was pretty bored. And all of a sudden, one of my best friends called me and her best friend called her. He was starting this new company on the Internet. And I had no idea what the Internet was. This is ninety-five, ninety-six. And they said, why don't you talk to this guy? You have a perfect background. So, I talked to the person. It sounds like the most crazy idea about delivering digital audio. There was, you know, the delivery speeds were AOL 28 modems. There was no hardware. There was no content. I said, how much will you pay me? He goes, we have no money. We're going to get equity. I didn't even know what equity was. So, but I decided, you know, I've been a pioneer my whole life jumping around the world. I said, let's try it. And it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.Mike: Yeah, congratulations. So, you just never know where business is going to end up a lot of times. So, part of that is you probably did not know where Vitality Booths would end up. First of all, congratulations on receiving the patent from the U.S. Patent Office in December for the Vitality Booths. Talk a little bit about the uniqueness of Vitality Booths and why the patent was most likely granted in your mind. Steve: Great. Yeah, so we love the Vitality Booth. It's our probably either first or second most popular product, which combines halotherapy and red-light therapy. It kind of came from the roots of some studies that NASA had did, but the patent process, if anybody's been through it, is long and arduous and not guaranteed. It took us four years and lots and lots of back and forth to get it, but we had such a unique offering that made basically salt therapy better,because with the red light, it's drier and it absorbs some of the red light and the red light gets better because it can get refracted, and it goes out a million different ways inside the booth or a chamber. So yeah, it was an arduous process, but it's great to have a patent. Nobody else in the world can offer red light combined with halotherapy. And yeah, we're glad that you have that product, Mike. You were a pioneer in getting on board early. So, it's great.Mike: Yeah, we certainly saw the benefits of it. There's a tremendous amount of intellectual capital behind that. Talk a little bit about how you got introduced into some of the different modalities, particularly SALT. I think that that's pretty prevalent over the European countries.But did it do something for you that you just said, man, I got to get involved in this?Steve: You know, great question. And like I said, and you kind of introduced me, I lived in Asia for a long time. I lived in Europe for a few years. And I was always, especially in Asia, as you probably know, there's a lot of holistic wellness, whether it's herbs or acupuncture, massage, as opposed to, you know, lots of pharmaceuticals, you know, being absorbed after the fact. So, I became interested in just holistic wellness when I got back to the U.S., Some of my parents and my parents' friends were starting to get COPD as they got older. As I was living overseas, I saw a lot of air pollution and people were having a lot of respiratory problems. I started investigating kind of natural remedies for respiratory health and wellness. And I came across this little, tiny industry literally nine, 10 years ago called Halotherapy. I found like the number one manufacturer in the world in Estonia who had this tiny little business. I flew out to see him and we've been going at it. This is our ninth birthday will be in a couple of months. And it's just been extraordinarily booming. And it's interesting, COVID in a weird way helped our business because more and more consumers or customers of our spas, became more interested in respiratory health and hygiene and wellness. And also, touchless wellness became huge during COVID because it was hard to get massage therapists. People didn't want to get touched. So, it's turned out to be a phenomenal business. So, like I said, with Audible, you just never know where the journey is going to go. So hopefully you make the right decisions and just keep building it step by step.Mike: Yeah, I know the co-founder of Vitality Booths, John, he was telling me that they were actually able to open their doors into one of his gyms that had a Vitality Booth because the state recognized the fact that there was some benefit here during COVID with respiratory illness and stuff like that. So, it's great to have that in our facility. We have four different booths.Talk a little bit about how far is Europe ahead of the United States in terms of touchless wellness and alternatives in your mind?Steve: Yeah, it's interesting. So, I believe Asia is probably further ahead in just generally natural remedies to things. I think Europe in certain countries is maybe further ahead, but in some cases they're further behind. I think this whole push on touchless wellness is really accelerated and amplified, frankly, more so in the U.S. now. So that's what we're seeing. We're seeing more and more, call it spas that used to only offer massage or med spas that offered esthetician, you know, Botox, getting heavily into the touchless wellness space. We're getting gyms, like you said, that were only concerned about building bigger muscles, getting into wellness or recovery through touchless wellness. We're seeing tanning industry. We're seeing all kinds of people and companies getting into touchless. So, I wouldn't say we're really far behind anybody at this point.Mike: All right. What do you think, besides firms like ours educating their clients about Halo and Red Light, what should the typical American do or go to in order to find out more information to get comfortable about these different modalities?Steve: Yeah, there's a bunch of different places to go. There's the Global Wellness Institute has some great articles. The World Halotherapy Association has some great articles and information. Our website, halotherapysolutions.com has a lot of website, has a lot of information and just Google halotherapy reviews. And you'll see that there's just literally thousands and thousands of people that have benefited in many ways for either do for their asthma or their skin conditions or seasonal allergies or athletes in recovery, or just general kind of, you know, sleeping better and just better. You know, we kind of call halotherapy the toothbrush for the lungs. It just makes your lungs healthier. So, you have more endurance and just can combat potential illnesses coming at you too.Mike: We just invested in a machine to measure metabolic health and VO2 max. We're looking forward to being able to see the client going in and having a baseline and then seeing what halotherapy does for them in terms of their VO2max, their respiratory health, and just general wellness with their lungs and respiratory health. We love the equipment that we get from you guys. We've also had customers gravitate to our center because of the information that we've been able to provide on EMF levels, especially with the Halo IR Sauna. Can you talk about the quality of the equipment and also specifically about the low EMF levels in the Halo IR?Steve: No, that's a great question. And it's really, really important too. So, when I first started the company almost nine years ago, we were all only about halotherapy, dry salt therapy. And the education process was very long and arduous too. So, we plotted it along for a few years. And then we kind of looked around and we saw that the infrared sauna business was just exploding in terms of popularity. And we kind of said, wow, wouldn't it be great if we could combine those two things together in terms of maximizing wellness in a given footprint?And it would be easier kind of explaining to people that this would be like a sauna plus halotherapy and trying to just explain what halo therapy does itself. So, we looked at the top four or five manufacturers in the world of infrared saunas. After a lot of analysis and talking to a lot of different companies, we concluded that Clearlight Jacuzzi had the best quality sauna in the world, infrared sauna in the world. We approached them about becoming a private label partner. As you probably know, salt and humidity is not a good match. So, they custom-engineered a sauna for us to protect their infrared panels. And we integrate our halogenerator on the outside, with their control panel on the inside. So, it's all seamless and integrated and it's become just a phenomenally successful business used by both the top resorts in the world to the smallest day spas, tanning salons, gyms. It's become incredibly popular product, marrying those two together. And they had the lowest EMF as part of their offering, which was really important to us and our customers.Mike: Yeah, that's so important just because the quality equipment, the quality of company that you're dealing with, with Halotherapy Solutions, going out and getting the best vendors and the best products inside of all the booths. And it's so important to be able to deliver that as part of a quality service. You've obviously been interested in this wellness industry. What do you think are the biggest trends around the corner here in the United States over the next couple of years?Steve: Yeah, I think you're going to see more and more of companies offering, say, one modality, maybe say IV or a gym offering fitness or a tanning salon. Everybody seems to be moving to these integrated, you know, multiple modalities offering in their facility. And especially from a halotherapy perspective, you know, we call it therapy layering, where you get synergy between the halotherapy and say the red light or the halotherapy and the infrared, like the salt, you know, if you go to a salt room, it's typically cool or cold with, with the infrared, the warmth of the infrared opens up the pores on your skin. So, it's better for your skin conditions and it slowly opens up your lungs. So, you have a more of a surface area and it's just a better, more comfortable experience being a little bit warm. So, we think therapy layering is the single biggest trend that's going to happen and just multiple modalities in, again, everybody's kind of moving to become a wellness center, if you will. So, it's gonna become interesting to see what people offer and frankly, how they differentiate themselves.Mike: Yeah, we think that the stacking of modalities is so important. And that's why I love talking about the vitality booths, because besides the halogenerator and the red light, you have the oxygen compression going in, plus the negative ions. You can get so much done in 20 or 30 minutes that would normally take you an hour, an hour and a half to do in any type of gym. So, it's really efficient in today's busy world.Steve: And from a facility, I totally agree. And from a facility perspective, it's all in a relatively small footprint. You don't have to have four separate machines taking up hundreds of square feet. So just a great return on space. You know, we talk about return on investment, return on time and return on space. And the Vitality Booth offers all three of those in spades.Mike: So overall, why are you so excited about being an innovator in this industry? What gets you up every day on that?Steve: I'm getting old, you know? You know, seriously, as I've gotten older, right? And I'm all about, you know, not just longevity, right? But healthy longevity. I want to live a long time to, you know, hang out with soon to be hopefully one day grandkids. And I just want to be active and healthy my whole life. Travel. And I think it's great. It keeps my brain very active. And frankly, there's nothing more important than my personal health and wellness, my family's personal health and wellness, society's health and wellness. If you're not feeling good or if you're sick, money doesn't matter. Right. So, it's my drive to help people feel better naturally around the world. And also, personally to learn as much as I can about all the different wellness technologies to apply them myself. I'm 97 years old. I look pretty good. Thats the red light!Mike: Yeah, well, at Ageless Fitness and Vitality Booth Wellness Center, we always say movement is life. And we're starting to see people transition over to our personal training side and our personal training side over to the wellness side because they can see the benefit of both, you know, touch and exercise as well as I call it working inside out with the HaloIR, with the red light with the halo working inside of your body as well. So, hey, Steve, what's next for Halotherapy Solutions?Steve: You know, I think one of our most important things now is really to, we spend a lot of time not as just a vendor, but as an educator. We really want to work with, we work with each of our customers like yourself. We have literally thousands now around the world, making sure they're successful and they have all the tools to educate their local population. And just on a nationwide global basis, we're just trying to spread the word about how important wellness is and how halotherapy, especially combined with red light or infrared is just fundamental to somebody's long-term, short-term, you know, basically, I've been using the term, you know, healthy longevity. It's just core. So, we're just trying to educate more, and we'll continue to come out with new products that are, that our customers like yourself want or their customers want.And again, I think you'll see more and more of this kind of therapy layering. But right now, we have a lot of products. I think it's a lot more about education and helping our customers become successful. That's what we focus on every day.Mike: Well, that's what makes you such a great partner for Ageless Fitness and Vitality Booth Wellness Center is the education, the ability to go out and educate our members and our clients about going to different modalities and, like you say, just having the vitality to live a better life on top of longevity. So, Steve, thank you for all that you do at Halotherapy Solutions.We love the product. We love you. what our clients say about your product and so congratulations on a successful business your sales support your service is outstanding as well so thank you for all that you do Steve: Well, thank you for being a customer and we want to make we want to help you and as much as possible, so we're driven by helping people around the world get healthier that's our mission. Mike: Well, I encourage anybody listening to this podcast. We're the only wellness center, Vitality Booth Wellness Center in the Estero area and within about a 20-minute area. Come by, stop by, try out one of the modalities, talk about what you're trying to get accomplished, and our program director and our wellness technicians can guide you into which modality would be most helpful. So, again, thanks, Steve. And we will talk with you next time.Steve: Take care, Mike. And say hi to Alisa. Bye bye.Thank you for listening to Ageless Fitness and Wellness.To learn more, call us at 239-301-4121 or come see us at 10011 Estero Town Commons Place, Unit 101A, Estero, Florida.Check out our website, agelessfitnessfl.com.We look forward to helping you achieve lifelong vitality.

Amplify Your Wellness Results with Therapy Stacking

Have you ever been to a silent disco where people are dancing to music that only they can hear through their headphones? It's quite funny to watch them dance to invisible music! This got me thinking about how certain things are better when combined, like music and dancing. Similarly, in the world of wellness, combining certain modalities can enhance their effectiveness. Stacking modalities or therapies is a trend that is gaining popularity and can help people save time, tailor their approach to their specific needs, and achieve better overall health and wellness. I started using therapy stacking in the HaloIR sauna without even knowing that it had a name to alleviate a severe sinus blockage. I started with daily halotherapy (dry salt inhalation) sessions, and to increase the absorption of salt in my airways I also used low infrared sauna heat at the same time. Later, I added high-heat infrared sauna sessions a couple of times a week to detox and increase sweating. Combining and layering these touchless modalities helped me breathe easier, helped calm my anxiety, and expedited my recovery. The decision to use a HaloIR sauna was a game-changer in addressing my physical, mental, and even spiritual needs all at once. Whenever I use the sauna, I immerse myself in the experience, combining the therapeutic effects of halotherapy and low infrared heat with the soothing scents of essential oils and the calming chromotherapy lights. I also often listen to Bible studies (heres my current favorite), which helps me create a multi-layered approach to wellness. This approach not only benefits my body but also calms my mind. I think its more common than not, that people prioritize their physical bodies and overlook their spiritual health. In Justin Roethlingshoefers book, The Power of Ownership, he emphasizes that the body does not know the difference between mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional stress. Everything is interconnected. We were created in Gods image with a mind, body, and spirit so why wouldnt we try to address all areas of wellness?  Touchless WellnessLets first look at Touchless Wellness which involves various treatments, experiences, or therapies that promote physical, mental, and emotional health without requiring physical human touch, many of which are used in therapy stacking. Sticking with our music theme, its like a player piano where the piano plays itself, no pianist needed. Some examples are cryotherapy, halotherapy (dry salt), infrared sauna, compression therapy, red light therapy, sound therapy, and aromatherapy to name a few. Most only require the press of a button to start the equipment. Learn more about touchless wellness here. Using touchless modalities offers an enhanced experience, convenience, and customization.  Ways to Therapy StackToday, I would like to bring your attention to the range of health and wellness modalities that are available at the Ageless Fitness and Vitality Booth Wellness Center that can help with care of your mind, body, and spirit. By combining them in the most effective and enjoyable ways, you can achieve optimal results and even integrate them with your fitness plan to create a symphony of health and vitality.There are quite a few different ways you can therapy stack and here are some examples: Stacking more than one therapy per session in Vitality BoothsJust as I stacked in the HaloIR sauna with low infrared heat and halotherapy at the same time, another way to make the most of your time stacking multiple modalities in one session would be inside patented Vitality Booths. This innovative technology offers a combination of four therapeutic modalities including red light therapy, halotherapy (salt therapy), negative ion therapy, and compressed oxygen therapy. In particular, two of the modalities pair very well together when used at the same time: red light therapy and halotherapy. Red light therapy involves exposure to red or near-infrared light, which penetrates the skin and stimulates cellular energy production. This promotes skin health, reduces inflammation, and aids in muscle recovery. Halotherapy, on the other hand, involves inhaling microscopic salt particles, which can improve respiratory and skin health, alleviate allergies and asthma symptoms, and induce relaxation. Individually, these modalities offer numerous benefits, but when combined, their effects are amplified. The ensemble of red light therapy and halotherapy is remarkable. The warmth from the red light enhances the absorbency of the pharmaceutical salt in the air, making it more effective at removing pathogens from your airways. The salt in and around your body releases absorbed red light energy into areas that red light alone wouldn't reach, such as your throat and ear canals. The millions of salt particles in the air also reflect red light energy, providing microbursts of red light to more areas of your body. This synergistic interaction maximizes the benefits of both modalities. Each modality provides unique benefits, but when used together, they create powerful harmonious effects, and all are done with the convenience of one session.  Now imagine listening to your favorite song while getting some cardio at the same time. Inside a Vitality Booth, you can stack therapies while engaging in other activities. For example, you can exercise on a cardio machine, burning more calories and allowing the salt to reach further into your respiratory tract with deeper breathing. Or you can relax on a hydromassage bed while listening to a Bible study or audiobook, nourishing your mind and body simultaneously. This multi-tasking approach increases the benefits and makes the most of your Vitality Booth session. Stacking multiple therapies in one day Imagine attending a concert festival with various bands and going from stage to stage to see your favorites. Many modalities work great when used one right after the other. Therapy stacking isn't limited to just Vitality Booths; it's a versatile approach that can be tailored to your unique goals. Imagine combining different habits and therapies back-to-back to maximize your wellness journey. Heres an example of combining wellness modalities with a fitness plan:Start with three minutes of cryotherapy before your workout to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation, setting the stage for a comfortable and effective exercise session. (By the way, listening to music during cryo helps take your mind off the time and cold, so make sure you have a song in mind before your session!)After your workout, indulge in 15 minutes of the Halo-IR sauna to soothe sore muscles and promote relaxation, enhancing your post-workout recovery.Complete your therapy stack with 20 minutes of compression therapy, which improves circulation and aids in the removal of metabolic waste from your muscles, optimizing your recovery process.This is just one illustration of maximizing your workout results and saving time by incorporating wellness and recovery modalities customized to your individual needs by stacking therapies around your workout.Another way to stack touchless modalities back-to-back is layering hot and cold therapies. For instance, doing a 30-minute infrared sauna session, drying off, followed by three minutes of whole body cryotherapy is an example of two recovery modalities that can complement each other. Cryotherapy involves exposing your body to frigid temperatures which helps lower inflammation, boost circulation, and promote muscle recovery. The infrared sauna uses far infrared to heat the body from within, help detoxify, promote relaxation, and increase cardiovascular health. By stacking the two therapies in one day you can potentially achieve better results.  And finally, the third way of therapy stacking includes following a set protocol for a set period. This is like going to regular piano lessons leading up to a recital. This could be in response to a particular ailment such as seasonal allergies where you might do three sessions of halotherapy per week for one month or until your symptoms stop. And as weve already learned, you can make the halotherapy more impactful by stacking with red light in a Vitality Booth, or with low infrared heat in the HaloIR sauna. Benefits of Therapy Stacking at Ageless Fitness and Vitality Booth Wellness CenterThere are many benefits to therapy stacking and even more when done at one location. Lets look at a few:Enhanced Results: Combining different therapies can lead to better and faster outcomes. For example, using red light therapy and halotherapy together can improve breathing. The combined effects of various treatments can boost benefits and result in improved results.Targeted Approach: Stacking therapies lets you focus on specific areas or health goals. You can customize your treatment plan to address multiple aspects of your well-being at once, offering a more complete and holistic wellness approach. For instance, trying whole body cryotherapy before a workout can help reduce pain and enhance performance. Cost-Effective: Stacking therapies can be a budget-friendly way to access a range of treatments. By combining multiple modalities in one session, you can make the most of your wellness investment. Membership options and package deals are available, with discounts for combining fitness and wellness services.Time Efficiency: Stacking therapies saves time by allowing you to receive multiple treatments in a single session. This is great for busy individuals looking to optimize their wellness routine. Many clients enjoy a quick Vitality Booth session followed by cryotherapy, getting multiple benefits in just 30 minutes. Having recovery options available right after a workout is also a convenient way to make the most of your time. Long-Term Benefits: Consistent therapy stacking can lead to lasting health benefits. Clients often discover improvements in unexpected areas, such as joint pain relief from regular cryotherapy sessions. By incorporating a variety of modalities into your routine, you can support ongoing wellness and maintain a healthy lifestyle.Mind-Body Connection: Many stacked therapies promote a strong mind-body connection, enhancing mental clarity, emotional well-being, and overall balance. Clients often seek stress relief through these modalities. By addressing both physical and mental aspects of health, you can achieve a more integrated and holistic approach to wellness.Are you ready to elevate your wellness journey with therapy stacking? Just as dancing to a great song makes it easier and much more enjoyable, combining different wellness modalities can enhance your overall health and wellness experience. By blending different modalities and treatments, you can curate a personalized experience that aligns your mind, body, and spirit in perfect harmony. Start your transformative journey today! Book Your Session

Beyond the Cold: Exploring the Wellness and Aesthetic Benefits of Cryotherapy

In today's world, where natural, non-invasive, and drug-free health solutions are in demand, our mission at Ageless Fitness and Vitality Booth Wellness Center is to help people feel, look, move, and breathe better naturally. One of our most effective and popular modalities is cryotherapy, which uses the power of cold to enhance well-being, appearance, and mobility. In this blog, we will delve into the fascinating world of cold therapy, focusing on its two primary forms: whole body cryotherapy (WBC) and localized cryotherapy. This innovative therapy uses extreme cold to deliver a variety of health benefits, including pain relief, mood enhancement, and increased energy levels. Cryotherapy also offers aesthetic advantages such as fat reduction, skin tightening, and rejuvenating facials, making it a versatile tool for physical, mental, and even cosmetic improvements.A Brief History of CryotherapyCryotherapys history spans over 5,000 years, according to the Providers Guide to Whole Body Cryotherapy. Various cultures throughout the centuries have utilized cold therapy for its remarkable health benefits, whether through ice, water, or air. The fundamental principle behind cryotherapy is to lower the bodys tissue temperature and promote healing. You may already be familiar with using ice packs to alleviate localized pain and inflammation, but cryotherapy takes it to a whole other level with benefits that extend to the entire body.Whole Body Cryotherapy: The Science Behind the ChillWhole body cryotherapy involves exposing the entire body to extremely cold air and was pioneered in Japan by Dr. Toshiro Yamauchi in the 1970s as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Since its introduction to the U.S. market in 2010, WBC has gained popularity, with over 1,000 gyms, spas, and wellness centers offering this treatment.At Ageless Fitness and Vitality Booth Wellness Center, we utilize the Cryo One + Mecotec electric cryotherapy chamber, which is spacious enough for two people. When you step into the chamber for a brief 3-6 minutes at temperatures reaching -124 degrees Fahrenheit, your body undergoes a series of involuntary physiological reactions. The cold exposure triggers a fight-or-flight response, drawing blood to your core and increasing systolic blood pressure. As you step out of the chamber and warm up, blood flow is enhanced, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your organs and improving their function.The most exhilarating part? The burst of energy you feel when exiting the chamber. As your body warms back up, blood vessels dilate, improving circulation to your skin and muscles, leaving you invigorated and ready to tackle the day. Many clients report feeling a natural high, like a runners high, that energizes them.How Often Should You Experience Whole Body Cryotherapy?While a single whole body cryotherapy (WBC) session can provide immediate benefits, such as increased energy and pain relief, the effects are maximized with regular treatments. Ideally, we recommend experiencing WBC once or twice a week, with some experts suggesting a total of 12 minutes per week for optimal results. According to the book Reinventing Cool, lasting benefits can only be achieved through consistent sessions, with noticeable effects typically becoming apparent after at least one month of regular treatments. Like many healthy habits, integrating cryotherapy into your routine can lead to long-term wellness.Incorporating cryotherapy into your wellness routine can lead to lasting improvements in inflammation, pain management, mental focus, energy levels, physical performance, recovery, mood, skin appearance, and sleep quality. After conducting a thorough wellness intake at our center, we can recommend specific protocols tailored to your individual needs.If youre feeling apprehensive about trying WBC, theres no need to worry! At Ageless Fitness and Vitality Booth Wellness Center, we provide gloves, socks, slippers, and headphones, allowing you to listen to your favorite music while you chill. Plus, you can exit the chamber at any time if you feel uncomfortable. With sessions that last only three minutes, theres really no reason not to give it a try!Localized Cryotherapy: Targeted Pain Relief and Aesthetic EnhancementsLocalized cryotherapy has become a popular non-invasive option for targeted pain relief and aesthetic improvements. By applying cold temperatures to specific areas of the body, this therapy effectively reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, and promotes healing.For pain relief, think of localized cryotherapy as a high-tech ice pack. Instead of treating your entire body with a painkiller, which can have widespread effects, localized cryotherapy targets the source of your discomfort. This precision allows for faster recovery, helping you feel better faster.How Localized Cryotherapy Works:Reduction of Inflammation: Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to the affected area and reducing swelling.Immediate Pain Relief: The cold exposure numbs nerve endings, providing instant relief for acute injuries or chronic pain conditions.Enhanced Recovery: Localized cryotherapy stimulates the bodys natural healing processes, releasing endorphins that boost mood and promote well-being.Increased Range of Motion: By alleviating pain and inflammation, this therapy can improve flexibility and mobility, particularly beneficial for athletes and those in rehabilitation.Improved Circulation: Following treatment, blood flow increases to the area, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to promote healing.Conditions Treated with Localized Cryotherapy:Sports Injuries: Effective for sprains, strains, and muscle soreness, helping athletes recover faster.Chronic Pain Conditions: Beneficial for conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and back pain.Post-Surgical Recovery: Aids in reducing pain and swelling, facilitating smoother recovery.At our center, we utilize the advanced Kaasen Pro device for efficient localized cryotherapy sessions. This state-of-the-art device delivers precise cold spray with controlled pressure, ensuring effective pain management treatments in under 20 minutes.Fat FreezingOne of the most sought-after benefits of localized cryotherapy is its effectiveness in fat reduction, commonly known as "fat freezing" or cryolipolysis. This innovative process involves applying cold temperatures to targeted fat deposits, causing the fat cells to crystallize and eventually die. Over time, the body naturally processes and eliminates these dead cells, leading to a noticeable reduction of fat in the treated area.The appeal of fat freezing is that it is non-invasive. Unlike surgical procedures such as liposuction, cryotherapy does not require incisions or anesthesia, reducing the risk of complications and downtime. Clients can often resume their normal activities immediately after treatment, making it a convenient option for those with busy lifestyles.Localized cryotherapy offers precision, allowing practitioners to target specific areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or arms. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals looking to contour their bodies without the need for surgery. With fat freezing, you can achieve your desired shape while enjoying the benefits of a safe and effective treatment.Skin Tightening and FirmingLocalized cryotherapy is also highly effective for skin tightening and firming. The cold temperatures stimulate collagen production, a vital protein that maintains skin elasticity and firmness. As we age, collagen production naturally decreases, leading to sagging and wrinkles. By boosting collagen levels, cryotherapy helps restore the skins youthful appearance.The treatment works by causing vasoconstriction, followed by vasodilation, which increases blood flow and nutrient delivery to the skin. This process not only tightens the skin but also improves its overall texture and tone. With regular sessions, clients can experience noticeable improvements in skin firmness, making localized cryotherapy a popular choice for those seeking non-surgical skin rejuvenation. Facial RejuvenationCryotherapy facials, often referred to as "frotox," offer a revitalizing experience that can enhance facial appearance. During a cryotherapy facial, a controlled stream of cold air is applied to the face, helping to reduce puffiness, minimize pores, and improve skin texture. The cold temperatures also promote increased blood circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, resulting in a healthy, radiant glow.Cryotherapy facials can help reduce inflammation and redness, making them beneficial for individuals with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea. The treatment is quick, typically lasting around 20-30 minutes, and provides immediate results with no downtime, making it an ideal option for those looking to refresh their appearance before a special event.Vagus Nerve StimulationKaasen localized cryotherapy is revolutionizing the way we approach wellness and therapeutic treatments, particularly through its application in Vagus nerve stimulation. The Vagus nerve, one of the longest nerves in the body, plays a crucial role in the parasympathetic nervous system, which regulates rest, digestion, and relaxation. By targeting this nerve with cryotherapy, we can unlock a host of health benefits that promote overall well-being.Using the Kaasen device, localized cryotherapy is applied to the head, neck, and spine areas where the Vagus nerve is most accessible. The controlled cold exposure triggers a response in the nerve, stimulating its activity. This process, known as cryo Vagus nerve stimulation, is non-invasive and typically lasts only a few minutes, making it a convenient option for those seeking quick and effective relief.The stimulation of the Vagus nerve through cryotherapy can lead to numerous health benefits. One of the primary advantages is the reduction of stress and anxiety. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, cryo Vagus nerve stimulation helps calm the body, reduce heart rate, and promote a state of relaxation. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with chronic stress or anxiety disorders.Regular stimulation of the Vagus nerve can support cardiovascular health by helping to maintain a healthy heart rate and blood pressure. It also has potential anti-inflammatory effects, which can be beneficial for individuals with inflammatory conditions.Contraindications for CryotherapyBefore undergoing whole-body or localized cryotherapy, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider if you have any health concerns. Major contraindications for whole body cryotherapy include severe cardiovascular conditions (such as uncontrolled hypertension and heart disease), respiratory issues (like asthma or COPD), and Raynaud's disease, which can worsen with cold exposure. Individuals with cold allergies, severe skin conditions, neurological disorders, recent surgeries, fever, or infections should avoid this treatment. Pregnant women and those with blood clotting disorders should also seek medical advice before proceeding.For localized cryotherapy, contraindications include cold allergies, Raynaud's disease, severe skin conditions, circulatory disorders, and certain neurological conditions. Pregnant women, individuals with recent injuries or surgeries in the treatment area, and those with fever or active infections should refrain from this therapy. Lastly, individuals with hypersensitivity to cold should avoid localized cryotherapy. Always consult your healthcare professional to determine the appropriateness of cryotherapy for your specific health situation.Benefits of Cryotherapy: A Path to Enhanced Wellness and AestheticsLocalized cryotherapy offers an effective solution for various aesthetic concerns, from fat reduction to skin rejuvenation. Because it is non-invasive and can target specific areas, this makes it an attractive option for individuals seeking to enhance their appearance without the risks and recovery time associated with surgical procedures.In addition to localized treatments, whole body cryotherapy provides a holistic approach to wellness and recovery. By exposing the entire body to extremely cold temperatures for a short duration, whole body cryotherapy can help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and boost overall energy levels. This treatment is especially beneficial for athletes and individuals with chronic pain conditions, as it promotes faster recovery and enhances physical performance.Whether your goals include body contouring, skin tightening, achieving a radiant complexion, or improving your overall well-being, both localized and whole body cryotherapy provide safe and effective methods to reach your objectives. As with any treatment, consulting with a qualified professional is essential to determine the best approach tailored to your individual needs.If youre ready to experience the transformative effects of cryotherapy, contact us today to schedule your free assessment and take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free life!

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