Heber Valley Life

Tag: wellness

  • The WOW Factor

    The WOW Factor

    From personal trials to transformative care—how the WOW Clinic is giving patients a reason to hope, heal, and thrive.

    In a world where online fitness trends and overhyped but understudied health fads or supplements seem to dominate media, for many, the health and wellness space can feel unnavigable and daunting. The Wasatch Optimal Wellness Clinic or WOW Clinic strives to change this, taking a personalized and proactive approach to its treatment of patients. But what exactly does this clinic offer? And who are the minds behind this well-oiled machine? Learn all about this Heber establishment and how the WOW Clinic helps people achieve their fitness, health, and wellness goals.

    For Meredith Salmon (RN-BSN) and Bryant Salmon (PA-C), what began as an idea tossed out in casual conversation over dinner with partner Ben Fogg (MD) became realized in September 2024 when the WOW Clinic opened its doors in Heber Valley.

    “We had kind of talked for years like, you know, what if we did something together?” said Meredith when asked about the origins of the WOW Clinic. “But it didn’t really start to become a legitimate possibility in our minds until we had a son who struggled with ADHD secondary to some head injuries, and we took him to the Amen clinic.”

    For those unfamiliar, the Amen Clinic is a mental wellness and brain health clinic with multiple locations in the United States founded in 1989 by psychiatrist and author Daniel G. Amen. Meredith found Dr. Amen through his novels published on the treatment of ADHD, and was eager to take her son, Caden, to the clinic.

    We’re unlike any other place in the Wasatch… we’re unique, we’re proactive, and we’re trying to flip the script on health care.

    After performing brain spec imaging and analyzing the results, the Amen Clinic’s physician recommended something that would build the foundation for the idea of the WOW Clinic.

    “It was very evident on Caden’s scans that he had had previous head injuries,” Meredith explained. “And, so, his doctor recommended as a primary part of his treatment plan: hyperbaric oxygen therapy.”

    Known broadly for treating ailments like carbon monoxide poisoning, sudden hearing loss, and decompression sickness or “the bends,” hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by increasing the “delivery of oxygen to the body by providing pure oxygen in an enclosed space with higher-than-normal air pressure.”

    Outside of treating more serious sickness or injuries, though, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is shown to have positive impacts on the human mind and body. However, upon searching for hyperbaric chambers in the Salt Lake City and Heber Valley areas, the Salmon’s discovered that these tools can be difficult to find or access, and clinics that offered the treatment most of the time had inadequate information.

    This sparked an idea in the Salmons that would later change the trajectory of their careers:

    “If we are looking for this therapy, there have to be other people looking for this therapy, and if they aren’t looking for it, they should be… This is huge and can help so many people,” said Meredith, recounting the origins of the WOW Clinic.

    “We started to think: ‘What if we opened a clinic and we did hyperbaric oxygen therapy? The original idea was just hyperbaric. That’s how it started.”

    Though hyperbaric oxygen therapy sparked the idea for the WOW Clinic, the sleek white walls and a calm yet inviting atmosphere of the clinic invites guests to experience a multitude of treatments designed to both optimize performance and help patients feel better.

    The offerings of this clinic range from more relaxing treatments to more active or performance-based testing. Enjoy replenishing IV therapy with a tranquil backdrop view of the Wasatch Mountain Range, detoxifying sauna and cold plunge therapy, a full boxy DXA Scan to measure bone density and fat distribution and VO2 Max assessments to measure cardiac health, all from the comfort of one encompassing space.

    In addition to singular or one-off treatments, the WOW Clinic offers a membership program using a point system for those looking to consistently use the facility and specialized packages.

    The point system in the WOW Clinic memberships is ideal for people who’d like to use the facility and its amenities frequently by offering a discounted price, in points, for services.

    Packages at the clinic are designed to help patients achieve their personal wellness goals and include items such as the clinic’s current body re-composition or weight loss program—which is focused on helping clients lose weight and gain muscle through nutrition and exercise lifestyle changes dictated by DXA Scan, VO2 Max assessments, bloodwork, and additional testing— and the upcoming addition “blood sugar boot camp,” which is still in the works but will focus on metabolic dysfunction.

    “Metabolic dysfunction is the cause of so much disease, so many things can be traced back to metabolic dysfunction,” said Meredith. “There’s a huge demand out there right now, a lot of people who are like ‘I want to feel better, but I want to know why I don’t feel well.’ They’re sick of these band-aids and so we’re hoping that this can help with that, with really getting to the root of why people don’t feel well.”

    However, what makes the WOW Clinic extraordinary isn’t the treatments, equipment, or the packages, but the dedication of the entire team to bringing an engaged and personalized approach to the care of each patient.

    “It’s not like your traditional clinic setting, where everyone’s just kind of pushing you through and trying to get you out the door,” said Bryant Salmon when asked about what he would want prospective patients to know about the WOW Clinic. “We take a very personal approach to each person that comes in to assess, you know, what they’ve wanted to do, and try to figure out what goals to set with them and how to reach those goals. You know, we’re not successful unless we have success stories walking out the door.”

    “We’re trying to spark hope in people who haven’t felt well… and let them know that they can feel better,” added Meredeth. “We can help them do that.”

    More Information: 1716 Hwy 40, Heber  wowclinic.com  |  @w.o.w.clinic

  • A Sudsy Cause

    A Sudsy Cause

    It’s refreshing when someone keeps their promises — like that nice clean feeling right after washing your hands. Chris and Alise Allen of Heber teamed up with their great friends Kurt and Jennifer Offereins of Spokane, Washington, to lather up the Promise Soap Company. They’re bubbling with excitement for their new company committed to connection, community, and the environment. They believe in “better soap for a bigger purpose.” Their love for people, goodness, and nature is contagious.

    The Allen and Offereins families have been friends for years and were thinking about what sort of project they could collaborate on while making a difference.  During Covid 19, life slowed down, and things shut down, including Jennifer’s business consulting company. It was the perfect time to turn ideas into reality, with Jennifer and Alise being the driving forces. Not being able to purchase the hand soap she wanted, Alise had an ‘aha moment’. Everyone uses soap! Soap was an obvious and perfect product to pursue. Alise and Jennifer wanted to take something practical and elevate it. And the Promise Soap Company was born. Today, Alise, who has a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a photography emphasis, oversees the website and design elements and helps with packing donations, along with networking in Heber Valley. Jennifer and her family fill orders and network in the Spokane area. The teams’ goal and mission is to incorporate a higher and deeper purpose by giving back to their communities; product donations to charitable organizations are a central part of their business model.

    “Elevate Your Hand Washing Experience”

    Businesses and families have an opportunity to become part of the “promise club” through online subscriptions. Promise Soap’s Welcome Kit includes two signature glass bottles, two foaming pumps, and four concentrated soap pouches. Subscribers receive a 15% discount and free shipping and handling on all orders. Subscriptions are conveniently customizable, which makes it possible to personalize delivery frequency and scent combinations.  Customers can experience the joy of “spreading the suds” to those who need it most. With each online subscription and anniversary, one bottle of soap is donated to various charitable organizations. If you have an organization in mind, nominations can be made. One student connected with Promise Soap prior to going on a humanitarian trip to Tanzania and 30 bottles of soap were donated. The Heber Food Pantry has also been the recipient of dozens of bottles through community connections. Businesses in Heber Valley that are already enjoying Promise Soap subscriptions are Mountain Wellness Bar, Gravity Coalition, Dorius Dental Design, Lola’s, Audrey Powers Salon, Dainty Pear, and Daly B. Preschool. These businesses have discounts and QR codes next to their sinks that also give soap customers an extra discount.

    Alise Allen shares, “We have loved this part of Promise Soap, and I feel like it’s been the most rewarding. It’s been really fun to meet business owners and network with them. These are businesses we already love, support, frequent, and appreciate.” She explained how rewarding it is to be able to offer businesses and customers a product that “[…] has a cause to give back, right to the heart of our community. We know there’s a need. We live in a crazy economy right now; there are a lot of people who need more than just food and basic needs like hand soap. To be able to provide really nice hand soap for them is a wonderful privilege. We want as many households and businesses to switch their soap and be a part of something that can make a difference, something to be proud of, to put a smile on people’s faces with one less thing they have to worry about finding when they visit the food pantry.”

    Don’t Forget Mother Nature

    Promise Soap Company is also passionate about pure ingredients and taking care of the environment. Their soap is made with a short list of certified organic ingredients, including olive oil, coconut oil, aloe leaf juice, rosemary extract, and essential oils. Their Oregon-based wholesaler also believes in giving back. They plant trees and native plants for every five gallons they sell. Packaging and concentrated refill pouches are 100% recyclable. Each concentrated pouch mixes with water to make a 12-ounce bottle of foaming hand soap. Foaming hand soap last longer and has the potential to be less messy unless you have a bubble-obsessed pump-loving toddler or teenager. Their scents include lavender, citrus, evergreen, and unscented (which can be mixed with one’s own essential oil). Promise Soap’s foaming hand soap is good for the skin while providing a nice silky feeling, and their “convenient, recyclable packaging and reusable glass bottles reduce your environmental impact daily.”

    Alise suds it all up, “Every home and business that uses [Promise Soap] in our community is taking care of the environment by switching to refillable bottles and less plastic waste. They’re able to give soap to those in need. The impact could be huge. We want to be a force for good, a force for change, and for taking care of people in our community. Being able to contribute in some small way, connect with others, and give to those in need is definitely the most rewarding part of it all.”

    More Info

    @promisesoap
    promisesoap.com

  • Community Health and Wellness

    Community Health and Wellness

    Join us Thursday, June 30th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Community Health and Wellness Center located at 345 West 600 South #401 in Heber City and get to know your local providers.

     

    Ron Dummar, DC MOAM

    Kirsten Nelson, NP

    Kristi Mackie, Brain Body Soul Alignment Coach

    Jamime Bringhurst, LCSW

  • Valhalla

    Valhalla

    In Norse mythology, Valhalla is a magnificent hall where slain heroes from battle are received and restored by a mythical light. In Heber City, Utah, Valhalla is basically the same thing. However, instead of boar’s meat and golden shields, cutting-edge smart light cell therapies are used for healing.

    Dr. David Tate has been preparing for Heber’s Valhalla for decades.
    He has a PhD in clinical neuropsychology, and he did a clinical internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Brown University. He received a research grant, which he fulfilled with the women’s hospital at Harvard Medical School, spending almost 9 years there as a research professor. He then worked as a research neuropsychologist for the Army medical center in San Antonio for about six years.

    All of this research experience led him to accept a job at the University of Utah as an associate research professor. There, he currently co-directs the brain injury and concussion center. And now, he’s also opened Valhalla in Heber City.

    Using these lights for healing is not a new science; in fact, it’s been around for about 60 years. “These wavelengths of light have some very specific biological actions,” explains Dr. Tate. “It’s a little more than red-light therapy . . . more specifically, we’re using both visible red and near-infrared frequencies.”

    Dr. Tate continues, “The wavelengths of light that you’re using are really important. Red only gets about skin deep. When you get into the near-infrared, specific wavelengths have different penetration depths . . . You can actually push the light as much as 2 1/2 inches into the tissue.”

    The areas of healing depend on where and how the light is used. Valhalla has a handheld laser light that works on specific areas, but also whole-body pods that treat the entire body, including the joints, the deep tissue, the gut, and the brain.

    These lights have many benefits. Not only do they reduce inflammation, but they also increase circulation. And, when used consistently, changes occur in the mitochondrial function of the cells. This makes cell energy production much more efficient, which speeds healing and increases cell replication.

    Increased energy
    Better emotional health
    Reduced inflammation + pain

    An additional benefit of this light therapy is improvements in mood. “Moods become much more stable . . . [with] less depressive-type symptoms and less anxiety,” says Dr. Tate.

    Dr. Tate explained that, “The nice thing about it is there are 60 years of research on these wavelengths of light, and the safety parameters are very well-known. There are very few side effects, if any.” Possible rare side effects are similar to those from a detox, but the lights can be modified to minimize this. Also, this type of therapy is not recommended for people with a history of epilepsy or for pregnant women.

    Valhalla offers a free first appointment to anyone wanting to try it out. After that, there are lots of different packages to try. Visits are usually around $40-$45 each, with discounts for vets and first-responders.

    Light treatments range between 12 to 18 minutes, and most people with aches and pains come once or twice a week. “If you’re coming with other more chronic conditions, like fibromyalgia, thyroid disease, or long-haul covid, you’d probably need at least three treatments a week for the first month,” explains Dr. Tate. After that, a maintenance period is designed.

    “We’re really a wellness center,” says Dr. Tate. “We listen to see what’s helping and what’s not helping. Then we can modify some of the parameters.” He sees this as a complimentary therapy. “[Valhalla] really works hand in hand to improve the efficacy of other therapies as well. We want to be seen as partnering with these individuals and their treating physicians to get the best outcome.”

    Suffering from post-concussion syndrome?

    Valhalla uses smart light cell therapy to promote recovery in the body and healing in the mind. Valhallaplus.org

  • Fortune Favors the Prepared

    Fortune Favors the Prepared

    Recall Aesop’s fable The Ant and the Grasshopper. In all his Greek wisdom, Aesop told of wise ants and their preparations against leaner times in comparison to foolish Grasshopper, who found great pleasure in his life, until winter winds began to blow. He mourned taunting remarks to his busy little friends in earlier days and found himself at their mercy when times were tough. The moral of the story: Be Prepared.

    Fortunately, we don’t need to spend our entire summers hauling necessary sustenance into a hole in the ground. What can we do to be ready for a rainy day? Plan and prepare. Emergency Preparedness consists of four main survival essentials: medical, food, water, and shelter. All take a little time, money, and effort, but don’t all good things? As abundant as things may appear, the most unimaginable, seemingly absurd circumstances can quickly diminish the essentials and leave us vulnerable in the most basic human ways.

    MEETING MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

    At the forefront of the world’s eye this past year, and continuing to be a pressing issue, global health has given us an educated perspective for preparation. I will point out the elephant in the room and suggest it wise to take the precautions and motions you deem worthy during our current pandemic. Suggestions for preparations would include a supply of masks; medical, reusable, or a combination of the two. Having items like a thermometer, sanitizer, and disinfectant are also crucial. Consider a vaccination when it becomes available to you.

    Having a fundamental knowledge of both physical and mental first aid is invaluable. As a society, we’ve made great strides in curbing the stigma surrounding mental health. Suicide prevention is a skill we should all seriously consider acquiring. There are basic classes offered in the community for both medical and mental health first aid. Staying up to date on CPR and first aid is vital — we never know when we might need it. I carry a CPR face shield and other first aid supplies in my car and bag. I stay CPR certified, hoping that if faced with an emergency, I can change someone’s story.

    FOOD

    My in-laws have a resident squirrel, named Stanley whose winter preparation has provided entertainment for this cute couple and my son. Take notes from Stanley and his kind. The rule of thumb according to food storage specialists is to have at the minimum a three-month supply. But not everyone can do that. Kristen Curley, President of Nitro-Pac Preparedness Center in Midway offers this advice, “We recommend that you at least have a two-week supply of food and water per person. This gives you peace of mind in case something does happen. Sometimes emergencies might just be a couple of days, sometimes they might be longer; a two-week supply is a good start. If you can do more, then ultimately the next steps would be to have a thirty-day, three-month, six-month, or one-year supply.”

    Store what you know how to use and what you like. Purchase extra frequently used items and rotate them as you go. If you’d rather not worry about rotating food, Kristin shared that dehydrated and freeze-dried foods have a longer shelf life. Depending on the brand, freeze-dried food can have a thirty-year shelf life. You should store canned and dry goods in a cool, dry, dark space. Ideally, you can devote a part of your basement or a deep closet to food storage. If you’re lucky you have a cellar. Space tight? Get creative with nooks and crannies you can utilize. Think of space under beds, in crawl spaces and attics, the tops of closets, or under staircases.

    MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

    Adult and Youth Classes

    This year includes new content, focusing primarily on the youth. Classes are held in the evenings, weekly for two- or four-week sessions.

    MORE INFORMATION:

    WATER

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend storing, at minimum, one gallon of water for drinking and sanitization per person for three days. Remember to factor in if you need water for any food storage meals. Purchasing water is an option or there’s the route of filling your own containers. Be sure to refresh regularly. You should rotate or refill your water storage every 6 months. See the CDC’s website section titled Preparing a Home Water Supply for details.

    Consider a rain barrel for collecting water. Please note, it’s not advised as drinking water. It may acquire chemicals on its way to your barrel. Think practical, watering fruits and vegetables, washing clothes, or even filling a toilet. My home is on a well and it’s incredibly inconvenient to use the bathroom when the power is out. That is a messy situation we don’t care to think about, but your future self may be mighty grateful for that quick internet search and purchase. There are a plethora of water barrel options available; ranging from efficient and inexpensive to decorative.

    SHELTER

    We’re generally blessed with fairly nice shelters. It’s a good idea to have plans for emergency situations that call for staying in place or evacuation. In cases of evacuation, unfortunately, we have yet to figure out how to magically pack our homes into a suitcase or backpack. Having a survival shelter that you can quickly set up to protect you from the elements can be the deciding factor between life and death. There are many different types of portable shelters from tarps and tube tents to pop-up tents, inflatable tents, and backpacking tents. What works for one may not work for another; write down what your needs are, what your budget is, and remember something is better than nothing. A few things to consider when looking are: quality, materials, structural design, weight, company track record, reviews, your climate, occupancy, and what best fits your individual needs. You can also visit thepreparednessexperience.com for their 2021 list of best survival tents for emergencies. Don’t just take their word for it though — do your research — and do what is best for your situation.

    Evacuation plans also call for a 72-hour kit, prepackaged or self-assembled for the house and the car. Each member of the family should have their own kit. Additionally, it’s a good idea to have heavy-duty 72-hour ‘family’ kits. I have two; one with medical and survival items and another with food and water. Everyone’s kit will be different depending on their needs but all should include the basics; first aid, food, water, shelter.

    Kits should be easily accessible at a moment’s notice on your way out the door. I store mine in the mudroom. A shelf in the garage also works well.

    Over the years I’ve assembled a pack for each of my children with spare clothing, a personal water bottle, a few food items, and entertainment (ie. coloring book, stuffed animal, card game). Kits should be checked and restocked at least once a year. Clothes can be rotated out for seasons or you can have a winter set and a summer set. If you can, include clothing for three days this will allow for damage during a disaster or clean up. For children pack extra as bedwetting is a common symptom of trauma. When considering clothing for children it is recommended to pack used clothing (one to two sizes bigger) that is familiar to what they already wear — children can feel the difference especially if they have special needs.

    We are living in uncertain times and there’s no time like the present to get started on emergency preparedness. Like the busy ants and Stanley and his nut supply — whatever your inspiration; be prepared for the worst so you can be at your best.

    THINGS YOU NEVER THINK OF

    BABY ON BOARD

    Diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, diaper rash cream, change of clothes.

    CHILDREN

    Comfort items, games, entertainment, change of clothes.

    MEDICAL CONDITION

    Eyeglasses, contact lenses and solution, diabetic supplies, prescriptions.

    WOMEN – LISTEN UP!

    Feminine sanitary items.

    FINANCIAL

    Keep cash in your kits.

    CONVENIENCE ITEMS

    Flashlight, chargers for electronic devices, batteries, printed maps, tool kit, knife, shovel, blanket(s), fire starter, masks, disinfectant, flares, matches.

Translate