If you are active or have ever played sports, then you know the one thing coaches and trainers always stress: stretching. It is an essential piece to the overall health of your body and is a key factor in preventing injury, but it’s consistently overlooked and undervalued for the benefits it offers. As wellness and attention to self care become the forefront of our daily routines–in an attempt to live longer, younger, and healthier than any generation before us–new avenues are continuously being explored, expanded and adapted, to fit those needs. One pioneer in particular within the healthcare field has brought attention to some of the most pivotal aspects of being healthy: treating the body as a whole while getting to the root of the problem.
Founder of Healix, Rebecca White, has established a practice that goes beyond simple stretching. As a seasoned expert with 25 years of experience in the wellness industry, her mission has been to revolutionize how people perceive and prioritize their well-being. After years of gathering tools and skill sets from leading educators worldwide, she found herself at a crossroads. The demand for her expertise had grown beyond what she could handle, and she knew that fascial stretch therapy, a technique she had come to believe in so deeply, needed to be brought into the community on a larger scale.
“After implementing fascial stretch therapy into my clients’ routines, the immediate results and benefits were undeniable.”
“It's definitely a niche, but one with immense potential for transforming lives."
“You can only do what you can recover from.”
“Fascial stretch is just as important as the workout or fitness program.”
Pronounced: Fa-Sha
So what exactly is fascia?
Fascia is the connective tissue that keeps everything together; it surrounds every organ and holds blood vessels, nerve fibers, bones and muscles in place. When fascia is healthy it moves and stretches as the body does, but when it’s not, symptoms can range from stiffness to chronic pain as well as other health conditions.
How do you stretch fascia?
At the core of Healix's philosophy is the belief that fascial stretch therapy is one of the most crucial components of a person's wellness journey. Unlike a regular stretch, which targets specific muscles, fascial stretch therapy decompresses the entire body which increases synovial fluids. It is a form of table-based assisted stretching at multiple angles. It’s the most efficient and pain-free way to achieve results.
"People often don't realize the significance of fascia in the body," White explains. "By focusing on fascia, we can help prevent injuries, improve recovery, and unlock a person's full potential."
What are the benefits?
Healix's approach is comprehensive and personalized. Each client receives a tailored experience in private rooms, with practitioners who are experts in their fields. The benefits range from better circulation, sleep and posture to increased range of motion and decreased recovery time. But perhaps most importantly, many clients experience a psychological and emotional release.
“We hold a lot of emotions and trauma in our fascia,” states White, “So when you stretch those areas and release that tension, it’s not just the physiological effects people benefit from.”
Healix's work extends across age groups and lifestyles. From teenagers to older adults, everyone can benefit from fascial stretch therapy. One client with plantar fasciitis experienced immediate relief after just one session, while weightlifters noticed increased strength and faster recovery times. The increased blood flow to areas of importance is particularly beneficial for active clients. White recently had a patient in his 70’s who had a knee replacement and the doctor informed him he would likely need another. So White began working on the other knee immediately and 7 years later after he had the predicted surgery, the physician couldn’t believe his recovery time; it was record-breaking. And he attributed it to the pre-op preparation. Another client of White’s was an avid golfer who had a few orthopedic challenges. After working with Body Crafters at Healix on the TPI Golf Fitness Pro, their in-house golf simulator, the client reported that he was hitting the golf ball farther than he ever had in his life. Beyond the evident physical improvements, these clients are experiencing a healthy and active lifestyle they weren’t sure they would ever get back.
On an even more psychologically basic level, Healix gives their clients permission to take a break, relax, and take some time to focus on self-care. The fascia stretching technique taps into the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and stress relief.
“This isn’t a one size fits all approach, everything is unique and completely tailored to the individual. We are a total wellness facility, we aren’t just a stretch clinic.”
The mission is stretch, train, nourish; working on improving an individual from the inside out, and addressing the root of any issue. Each service is personalized to meet the unique needs of the individual. The goal is to provide clients with a comprehensive wellness program that strengthens them in every capacity; addressing not just physical, but also emotional and psychological well-being. Every clinician at the clinic is a specialist in their field with services spanning Personal Training, Metabolic Analytics (addressing fast and non-invasive strategies for weight loss and hormonal imbalance), Nutrition (Licensed Dietician), Thai Flex Fusion Therapy, Nutrition, Golf Fitness, Running Gait Analysis, Concierge Physical & Occupational Therapy Services, and an infrared sauna. White has intentionally selected a highly credentialed female staff with over a hundred years of experience between everyone.
“This is a female-owned, female-driven clinic and I’m proud of that. I’m in the business of empowering women and I think that only adds value to what we bring to the table.”
With being around for a bit over a year, Healix has expanded rapidly, a testament to their passion, the expertise of their staff, and their desire to truly make a difference in the health of their community.
“We have the best of the best. Not many places can say that.”
White's vision is clear–to create a network of personalized clinics in SWFL that educate and empower communities to prioritize their health and well-being. With a team of dedicated practitioners and a wealth of experience, Healix is poised to revolutionize the wellness industry, one stretch at a time.
"I want people to view fascial stretch therapy as an integral part of their overall fitness routine," White emphasizes. "By focusing on factors such as blood flow, balance, and symmetry in the body, individuals can unlock their full potential and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives."
Fascial stretch will help you with whatever your goals are or really any activity throughout your daily life. Your blood flow and your core strength are quite literally at the center of everything, especially the overall health of your body.
For more information check out: www.healixcenter.net
