The cold plunge is no longer reserved for elite athletes. Red light therapy has migrated from wellness podcasts into suburban storefronts. IV drips, peptides and recovery studios now sit alongside Pilates classes and juice bars across West Bloomfield.
What’s this all about? And what are we to make of it?
The movement is often called “biohacking,” though local wellness experts say the goal is far less extreme than the name suggests.
“At its core, people are simply trying to feel better,” says Carrie Schabel of Degree Wellness of West Bloomfield. “There’s so much stress in our environment now. People are looking for new ways to improve energy, recovery and overall wellness.”
Carrie says many therapies, from cryotherapy to infrared saunas, are designed to complement healthy habits, not to replace them.
“Many of these treatments work together,” she says. “You can really customize the experience around what you’re trying to achieve.”
At beem Light Sauna in West Bloomfield, owner Mike Bergmann says interest often starts with curiosity but grows once people experience the pain relief or stress relief themselves.
“There’s real science and growing research behind these therapies,” Mike says, pointing to research surrounding infrared sauna and red light therapy use for recovery and stress reduction. “People can often feel a difference pretty quickly.”
For Mike, the appeal goes beyond aesthetics. “A lot of this is about investing in your long-term health now, so you can continue feeling active, energized and healthy later in life.”
John Maarouf, D.O., of Luminary Health believes the growing interest reflects a broader shift in healthcare.
“The goal isn’t just living longer,” Dr. Maarouf says. “It’s living better.”
Still, he cautions consumers to look beyond trendy marketing. “Everything is a tool,” he says. “But it has to be used properly, by the right people, for the right reasons.”
Perhaps that’s the real story behind today’s wellness movement: not chasing perfection, but pursuing healthier, more energized lives.
SIDEBAR:
Finding Wellness — Carefully
As wellness therapies become more mainstream, Dr. John Maarouf of Luminary Health says consumers should focus less on trends and more on personalized care.
“Everybody on social media is suddenly an expert,” Dr. Maarouf says. “But wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all.”
A board-certified physician with backgrounds in sports medicine, functional medicine and regenerative therapies, Dr. Maarouf believes many popular treatments – including peptides, IV therapy, hyperbaric oxygen and red light therapy – can be beneficial when used correctly.
“The research behind many of these therapies is real,” he says. “But they have to be applied appropriately and safely.”
Rather than chasing whatever treatment is trending online, Maarouf encourages patients to understand the “why” behind their wellness goals first.
“Someone may come in asking for one thing because they saw it on Instagram,” he says. “But after testing, blood work and conversations, we may discover something entirely different would help them more.”
His advice: look for providers who emphasize education, individualized plans and evidence-based care.
“The goal should always be improving long-term quality of life,” Maarouf says. “Not just following the latest fad.”
“There’s so much stress in our environment now. People are looking for new ways to improve energy, recovery and overall wellness.” - Carrie Schabel, Degree Wellness of West Bloomfield