HEALTH & WELLBEING
WELLNESS TRENDS
Camilla Parke of The Futures Company outlines some of the trends that will influence the health and wellness sector in the coming year
THE RISE OF BOUTIQUE MEDICINE In 2014, more and more patients in the US will meet their healthcare needs through a model know 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 over 1,000 practices opening in 2013. Over the last fi ve years, the number has increased 500 per cent and the trend promises to accelerate thanks to a looming doctor shortage, an ageing population, and the advent of Obamacare, in which 30 million previously uninsured Americans will enter the healthcare system. The trend is becoming more
attractive from a practitioner and patient perspective: primary care doctors are becoming less satisfi ed with overcrowded practices and ongoing wrangles with insurance
fi rms, leaving little time and energy to devote to considered patient care. For patients, the ongoing reduction in cost of these services is making them much more accessible.
GOOD GROUNDING The practice of ‘Earthing’ or ‘Grounding’ – direct physical contact of the human body with the surface of the earth – has been around for a while, but 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 fl ow of energy in the form of free electrons, allowing you to sleep better, feel better and, according to its proponents, experience less chronic illness. Grounding is gaining more attention from those in the medical industry, as well as those in other health-related industries, as a key component to overall wellness and healthy living.
50 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 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 benefi ts associated with the practice. Thermography images of patients with a variety of ailments and injuries show – after just half an hour of grounding – reductions in infl ammation where other medications and therapies have had little impact. Another controlled study showed that subjects who slept grounded with conductive mattress pads showed lower night-time cortisol levels and had 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, spas worldwide are using the Earth's energy to add another dimension to their treatments.
SWEETNESS AND LIGHT As the battle against diabetes and obesity continues, the search for ‘better for you’
February 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
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