INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Health & Wellness


From laughter as medicine to wellness hotels, we take a look at the trends and concepts that will influence the wellness sector in the coming year


CAMILLA PARKE, SENIOR CONSULTANT, THE FUTURES COMPANY


The rise of boutique medicine In 2014, more and more patients in the US will meet their healthcare needs through a model known as concierge or ‘boutique’ medicine. Eager to escape the stresses of dealing with insurance companies, a growing number of people are turning to concierge practices that offer patients the opportunity to pay an annual fee or retainer directly to their doctor rather than relying on insurers. There are now over 4,400 concierge


doctors in the US, with more than 1,000 practices opening in 2013. Over the last five years, the number has increased 500 per cent and the trend promises to accelerate thanks to a looming doctor


Monk fruit: The Holy Grail of sweeteners?


shortage, an ageing population, and the advent of Obamacare, in which 30 million previously uninsured Americans will enter the healthcare system.


Good grounding The practice of ‘Earthing’ or ‘Grounding’ – direct physical contact of the human body with the surface of the earth – is experiencing a renaissance, as a growing body of research shows it may have significant health benefits. The key premise of the practice is


that regularly connecting with the Earth – whether walking, running or even sleeping in direct contact – transmits a gentle flow of energy in the form of free


electrons, allowing you to sleep better, feel better and, according to its proponents, experience less chronic illness. It’s gaining attention from the medical


and other health-related industries as a key component of overall wellness and healthy living. In their recent book, Earthing, authors Clinton Ober, Martin Zucker and Dr Stephen T Sinatra outline a number of controlled clinical studies that indicate different health benefits associated with the practice. Thermography images of patients


with a variety of ailments and injuries show reductions in inflammation after just half an hour of grounding, where other medications and therapies have had little impact. Another controlled study showed that subjects who slept grounded with conductive mattress pads had lower night-time cortisol levels and higher sleep quality. Many health and wellness facilities


are beginning to incorporate Earthing principles into the health solutions they offer, from barefoot hikes on sand or soil to treatments such as grounding massages.


Sweetness and light As the battle against diabetes and obesity continues, the search for ‘better for you’


22 Health Club Handbook 2014 www.healthclubhandbook.com


PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/DOLPHFYN


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