In the spring of 2015, Elizabeth Cain lay hospitalized following the onset of a series of odd symptoms, mentally shocked and frightened at her recent diagnosis of muscular sclerosis (MS), a degenerative autoimmune disease for which there is no cure.
Cain says the words of Andy Dufresne, played by actor Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption, kept running through her mind: “Get busy living or get busy dying.”
Not one to say, “Oh, woe is me,” Cain chose to dive head first into a healthy lifestyle despite her diagnosis.
Having attended massage school after earning her MBA, Cain began pursuing natural treatment options. She eventually discovered the benefits of alternate therapies, such as red-light and cold plunge. Today, she claims incorporating these therapies, as well as following an auto-immune diet and exercising “like crazy,” have contributed to her staying medication free and in remission.
“I may not be able to cure this disease, but I choose to manage it and keep it at bay the best that I can,” Cain says. “Only a few of my clients know that I have MS. And when someone finds out, they always say, ‘I had no idea!’ I just smile because that's my goal.”
Cain now follows a gluten- and dairy-free diet, has cut her caffeine intake by 90 percent and takes vitamin D3 and Omega-3 daily. She partakes in the BlueCube’s Cold Plunge and Halo Vitality Booth almost every day, saying that both have been a game-changer for her MS, helping her to feel reenergized and rejuvenated. She also learned to listen to her body, meditating in prayer every morning and every evening before bed and making sure to get at least seven hours of sleep every night. She exercises on a regular basis. In fact, in honor of the 10th anniversary since her diagnosis with MS, Cain has been training to run the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on May 3.
However, Cain’s motivation doesn’t end when she crosses the finish line of the many races she runs. A single mom and sole proprietor of Elite Health Resort, Cain has served as campus director of Indiana Wellness College and president of the American Massage Therapy Association. She currently chairs the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency’s Massage Therapy Board.
Through Elite Health Resort, home of Indy’s Elite Massage, Cain aims to make the tools that have helped her in her journey available to others. Building on her expertise in sports and medical modalities of massage, Cain holds a certification in advanced cupping from the International Cupping Therapy Association. She also has a certification in bamboo-fusion massage and a specialization in the Graston Technique, a form of soft tissue instrument-assisted mobilization.
In addition to massage, Elite Health Resort has welcomed David Evans, D.C., with Glow Stick Chiropractic into the space and also offers access to state-of-the-art equipment, the Halo and BlueCube being among some of the first of their kind in Indiana.
Clearlight Sanctuary II Infrared Sauna: This commercial grade sauna gives users the ability to choose their own temperature, from 85 to 175 degrees, as well as light color to give the specific effect sought from sauna experiences. For many, infrared sauna helps with pain relief. However, because of the heat, there are contraindications with sauna use, based on age, medication and diagnoses.
Halo Vitality Booth Plus: Because her MS diagnosis prevents her from using the sauna, Cain uses the Halo Vitality Booth Plus nearly every day. The patented professional booth provides a combination of red-light and salt therapies. With space for one or two, this relaxing experience has been associated with improved respiratory health, reduced inflammation, rejuvenated skin and other health benefits.
BlueCube’s CoreChill3 Elite Cold Plunge: According to Cain, this is the same cold plunge found in Joe Rogan’s gym in Texas. Though she admits the first 20 seconds are “brutal,” she also says it is hands-down her favorite therapy device, as it immediately calms her spinal cord and reenergizes her.
“From massage therapy, cold plunge, infrared sauna, halo booth and now chiropractic care, this is truly your local destination tailored to helping achieve health goals,” Cain says.
While, in the past, people may have viewed massage and other such modalities as extravagant, Cain says people are becoming more receptive to alternative ways to care for their bodies properly.
“Since COVID, people are more aware of how important self-care really is,” she says. “They're realizing it's more of a necessity than a splurge.”
Cain says her clients run the gamut from elderly to high school students in sports, from stressed out moms to professional athletes. She also sees clients with diseases similar to her own.
“I pray for every client who walks in my door,” Cain says. “I just pray that they feel better when they leave the studio.”
"Get busy living or get busy dying."
“I pray for every client ... that they feel better when they leave the studio.”