The Health & Wellness
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Welcome to 2025
For many of us, this time of year is full of excitement. It presents us with a reset, new horizons and goals to pursue.
But for others, January can be a reminder of failed attempts from years past and the burden of expectation that this year will be different.
We approached this issue of Medina County Lifestyle from a mindset of not supplying quick fixes to check boxes in the short term but valuing what is sustainable over the long haul. We wanted to provide inspiration for making lasting, realistic, long-term improvements to your physical, emotional and mental health.
When it comes to anything in life — business, finance, food, home and personal health — it’s not what you do some days that move the needle, it’s what you do MOST days. For better or worse!
For instance, taking a vacation every day would be financially and practically unfeasible, but taking a trip a few times a year is doable. Having a beautiful steak dinner with a few cocktails and crème brûlée every night for dinner isn’t best for your health, but doing so once in a while might be fine!
It’s not the sometimes choices we make, it’s the most of the time choices.
So plan the vacation AND work to establish more regular rest in your work week. Join a fitness community or gym AND enjoy that dessert you’ve been wanting to try at Sérénité. It’s not what you do some days — it’s what you do most days that will lead to a more peaceful, filling and fabulous year.
Here’s to you!
EMILY SHEA-OWEN, EDITOR @MEDINACOUNTYLIFESTYLE
January 2025
PUBLISHER
Joe Violi | joe.violi@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Emily Shea-Owen | emily.shea@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Martha Doyle | martha.doyle@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Erin Baka, B.A. Schrock Financial Group, American Family Insurance, Emily Shea-Owen
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Balance Foot & Ankle, Reset Medical and Wellness Center, B.A. Schrock Financial Group, StretchLab
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
SAVINGS STRATEGIES TAX TIPS &
Strategies to Reduce Your Tax Burden
When managing your finances, it's crucial to balance day-to-day expenses with future planning, particularly for retirement. Diligent retirement planning not only aids in your financial future, but also provides opportunities for strategic tax management. Explore how contributions to retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs offer tax advantages, benefiting both your present and future financial well-being.
RESET MEDICAL AND WELLNESS CENTER
OFFERS REAL HOPE
“I didn’t realize I had been feeling hopeless until I got this treatment. I am filled with so much hope now!”
These are the words of Anna M. after her Neuro Sympathetic Reset (NSR) treatment at Reset Medical and Wellness Center, a comprehensive treatment care facility in Northeast Ohio that delivers hope and healing through advanced, evidence-based care with a focus on life-changing, profound relief.
NSR is a procedure innovated from a 100-year-old treatment called a Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), which was originally used to relieve physical pain in the head, neck, chest or arms. When recent research found that the stellate ganglion, a bundle of nerves that is a part of the sympathetic nervous system, plays a vital role in regulating our brain’s processing of emotions, NSR was created specifically to decrease the overactivity of the system.
Reset Medical CEO Kelly Price
Reset Medical’s NSR treatment is a 20-minute outpatient, ultrasound-guided procedure that effectively resets the sympathetic nervous system to its unstuck, pre-stress or pre-trauma state. This procedure can be effective in treating PTSD(I), anxiety, depression, insomnia, long COVID, menopause, impulsivity and many more conditions by resetting the “fight, flight or freeze” response to its pre-trauma baseline. NSR has been shown to relieve the exaggerated response to triggers by allowing for healthy neuropathways to be created.
Reset Medical is also investigating the effectiveness of NSR for other conditions, such as eating disorders, hormonal imbalances and chronic inflammatory issues.
What is the process to get NSR? It starts with a free self-assessment that helps you track and measure your mental health. From there, a Reset Medical team member will offer you a free consultation to review your treatment options and schedule an appointment for the procedure. The procedure itself only requires local anesthetic so that the injection is relatively painless. After it’s complete, the Reset Medical team will remain by your side and continue to monitor your journey of healing.
Tammy T., another Reset Medical patient who underwent an NSR procedure, says, “I feel so light and free, without worry, even though I know I have things I need to work out. My head isn’t full like it was before. I
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can live in the moment. I feel like I have my life back.”
In addition to NSR treatments, Reset Medical offers ketamine IV therapy, therapeutic Botox, menopause treatment, IV nutritional therapy, trigger point therapy and the unique add-on, FireFly Virtual Reality Sanctuary.
“MY HEAD ISN’T FULL LIKE IT WAS BEFORE. I CAN LIVE IN THE MOMENT. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE MY LIFE BACK.”
Reset Medical added therapeutic Botox to its offerings last month. Therapeutic Botox is a medical procedure that addresses multiple health issues beyond its cosmetic applications. Whether you’re struggling with chronic migraines, jaw pain, teeth grinding, excessive sweating or muscle spasms, therapeutic Botox provides a minimally non-invasive and effective option to enhance your quality of life.
As a way to support those who tirelessly serve the community and our country, Reset Medical is proud to offer a 20% discount on all services to first responders, mental health professionals, active and inactive military members, nurses and educators. This discount is also extended to first responder and military families.
To learn more about all of Reset Medical’s services and to take a free self-assessment, visit TheResetCenter.com. Reset Medical is located at 8370 Dow Circle, Ste. 400, Strongsville.
Schedule a consultation to find out your home’s market value and decide if the timing is right to buy a new home.
What’s my home worth?
Our experience and a deep understanding of the current market provides expert guidance and personalized attention to ensure your real estate journey is seamless and rewarding. As part of the prestigious Howard Hanna network, we offer global reach and access to a vast network of luxury properties, providing our clients with unparalleled opportunities to find their dream home, wherever it may be.
Our innovative marketing strategies are tailored to showcase your property’s unique features and allure, leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships to attract qualified buyers and maximize your property’s exposure.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy Life Insurance
1. For a potentially lower premium. Your life insurance premium is based, in part, on your age. So the sooner you act, the sooner you may be able to take advantage of a lower premium.
2. Because your health may change. Somewhere down the road, failing health could prevent you from qualifying for life insurance. The time to buy life insurance is while you are in good health.
3. In case of a job change. Life insurance through your employer may be insufficient for your needs, and could be gone if you were to leave or lose your job. And a new position doesn’t always come with life insurance benefits.
4. Because people count on you. You may not know what the future will bring, but you can choose to ask about financial protection. In the event of your death, help make sure your loved ones are financially protected.
5. In response to a recent life event. Marriage, the birth or adoption of a child, divorce, a new home or retirement can all trigger the need for life insurance to protect your loved ones’ financial future. ARTICLE BY AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE
6. For living expenses and to pay off debts. Proceeds from a life insurance policy can be used to help pay funeral expenses, make mortgage or rent payments, cover child care, pay off outstanding credit card or loan debt, provide care for an elderly or disabled relative and more.
7. Your business may require it. Business owners are often required to purchase life insurance in order to protect partners and creditors, and to ensure the business is able to continue.
8. To stay ahead of changing tax laws or regulations. Some life insurance policies offer tax advantages that are subject to change as new tax legislation arises. By purchasing life insurance now, you may be in a position to be grandfathered in as changes occur.
9. You have personal experience. Perhaps you know someone who’s lost a loved one and have seen firsthand how life insurance can add security in a difficult time. On the other hand, maybe you’ve seen just the opposite and are determined to make sure your family is taken care of.
10. Coverage may not be as expensive as you think. Most people overestimate the cost of life insurance.
Contact Thomas Muntean of American Family Insurance - Medina at 330.721.7716 or tmuntean@amfam.com to find a plan that fits you.
Our Neuro Sympathetic
Reset (NSR) is a 20-minute outpatient procedure that effectively resets the sympathetic nervous system to its unstuck, pre-stress or pre-trauma state.
The anesthetic block used temporarily halts this part of the overactive nervous
system, and though the anesthetic is temporary, the benefits are long lasting. The block helps create new pathways in the brain that allow us to process emotions and respond to stress in a healthy way.
The results are instantaneous as patients often feel better quickly, and the improvement last for months or even years.
Excessive
Reset Medical & Wellness Center invites you to learn about treatment that’s helping patients reclaim their lives and find hope.
Why Attend?
Whether you’re seeking relief for yourself or a loved one, this is your chance to:
n Ask questions and connect with our compassionate team.
n Explore how NSR and other treatments can help you achieve lasting results.
n Take the first step toward restoring hope and healing.
ARTICLE BY EMILY SHEA-OWEN
STRETCHING FOR IMPROVED Quality of Life
STRETCHLAB OFFERS ASSISTED STRETCHING TO IMPROVE POSTURE, REDUCE STRESS, INCREASE FLEXIBILITY, REDUCE JOINT PAIN AND MORE
Have you heard of StretchLab? This new-to-Medina business offers one-on-one assisted stretch sessions that are fully customized. From helping those interested in improving their sports performance, decreasing joint pain and increasing range of motion and flexibility — the highly trained staff of certified Flexologists can target problem areas that are unique to each individual and develop an assisted stretch program to meet their goals.
StretchLab will create a stretch session that is specifically geared towards your body’s needs.
While there’s no one reason why people find themselves at StretchLab, the benefits of an expert-led assisted stretching routine are tangible. They include:
• Improved posture: Varied stretching techniques conducted by their expert practitioners help to improve overall posture and alignment, allowing you to stand taller and experience less pain.
• Reduced stress: Stretching benefits both physical well-being and mental health, as it promotes improved blood and oxygen flow, enhancing mental clarity and even energy levels.
• Improved sports performance: Consistent assisted stretching has been known to enhance overall strength and performance, improve mobility and reaction time and accelerate athletic recovery.
• Increased flexibility and range of motion: A proper stretching routine over time increases your range of motion and flexibility — making everyday tasks easier and improving your overall quality of life.
• Reduced muscle and joint pain: StretchLab’s assisted stretches are designed to help alleviate muscle tension, reduce existing pain in sore muscles and joints and aid in pain and injury prevention.
StretchLab’s one-on-one sessions can be booked for 25 or 50 minutes. The 50-minute stretch session offers a deep and extensive full body stretch that focuses on all major muscle groups and extremities. It’s great for improving your range of motion and flexibility, while also loosening tight muscles and easing stiff joints. The 25-minute session is geared more towards maintenance, as it concentrates on major muscle groups and can help alleviate muscle tightness.
Whether you choose a 25- or 50-minute session, a StretchLab Flexologist will be there every step of the way to provide hands-on stretching. All StretchLab Flexologists are certified practitioners that must complete an intensive and thorough training program prior to providing stretch services to StretchLab clients. During their required lessons, they broaden their education and understanding of the muscular system, conduct hands-on learning regarding proper assisted stretching technique and prepare to work with a variety of clients.
So what can you expect in your first StretchLab session? Here’s a glimpse:
1. Before your session, dress in comfortable clothes that allow full mobility. Grip socks are also required for your safety during the session. If you don’t have a pair, StretchLab has them available for purchase.
2. When you arrive, you’ll meet your Flexologist and discuss your current flexibility and mobility levels as well as any past injuries. Your Flexologist will also lead you through a simple assessment utilizing MAPS, a revolutionary 3D body scanning tool that processes thousands of data points to measure your mobility, activation, posture and symmetry. Using the findings from your MAPS assessment, your Flexologist will create a stretch session that is specifically geared towards your body’s needs.
3. Your stretch session will take place in the open studio with your Flexologist using a process called Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), which involves stretching a muscle, contracting the muscle against resistance and then stretching the muscle even further. The process of doing this consistently can result in a better quality of life, as aches and pains from lower back or sciatica disappear. Throughout your session, your Flexologist will communicate with you to gauge your comfort level and ensure you’re never in any pain.
4. Based on your assessment and initial stretch session, your Flexologist will work with you and recommend a stretch plan. StretchLab offers various membership packages for four, eight or 12 sessions per month. Packs of three, five and 10 sessions are also offered.
To learn more about StretchLab Medina and to make an appointment, visit StretchLab.com StretchLab Medina is located in the Medina Grande Shops at 4891 Grande Shops Ave. The studio is open Monday through Saturday and can be contacted by calling 330.333.5664. You’re invited to connect and follow on social media as well — @stretchlabmedina or #stretchlabmedina.
Your home and assets represent more than financial value—they represent the life you’ve built. At Ohio Heritage Law, we specialize in estate planning tailored to ensure your family and legacy are protected for generations to come.
Customized Wills, Trusts, and Estate Plans | Asset Protection | Strategies for Business Succession Planning | Medicaid Asset Protection Strategies
Jeanette Mullett-Meisel, Attorney and Founder | Ohio Heritage Law LLC ohioheritagelaw.com 330-571-4151 8598 Hartman Road Wadsworth info@ohioheritagelaw.com
CHIROPRACTIC CARE, MORE THAN JUST PAIN RELIEF
ARTICLE BY DR. KARA CRABILL DC,CCSP
THE IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CARE
Chiropractic wellness care provides continued healing, increased mobility and flexibility and an overall better quality of life. Once you achieve proper alignment, maintaining it is key. Think of it like regular oil changes for your car—while the frequency of treatments might decrease, keeping up with them is crucial to prevent recurring pains.
HOW LIFESTYLE AFFECTS OVERALL WELLNESS
Every decision and action we take daily affects our bodies and can gradually cause problems that may not show immediate symptoms. Our diet, posture, physical activities and even our emotional reactions can have long-term impacts on our wellness. For instance, if you spend your days at a desk, the way you hold your head or position your arms can significantly impact your neck, shoulders and the rest of your body.
The reason is simple: the bundle of nerves that communicate with every part of our body originates from the spinal column. Misaligned vertebrae can lead to numerous health issues. This also applies to how we manage stress and emotions. Chronic tension in the shoulders due to stress or anxiety can affect the spine and the entire body. Thus, even if we don’t feel sick, extra care can prevent daily activities from turning into severe problems.
WHY WE NEED WELLNESS CARE
Health is more than just feeling good; it’s about proper body function. You may not feel unwell, but if your nervous system is hindered from sending messages to other organs, your body may not operate optimally. Regular wellness care to restore spinal health and mobility often leads to increased energy and reduced illness. A properly functioning nervous system enhances digestion, blood flow, lung capacity, heartbeat, skin tone and overall mobility.
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT AS PART OF A WELLNESS CARE PLAN
Chiropractic treatments preserve the integrity of the nervous system and are essential for a wellness care plan. Regular, gentle adjustments can ensure that life’s daily
“Chiropractic treatments preserve the integrity of the nervous system and are essential for a wellness care plan.”
impacts don’t wear down your health over time. By evaluating your health history and current physical state, a chiropractor can identify issues before they develop into serious problems, keeping you in peak condition and feeling great. Consult with a chiropractor to embark on your path to chiropractic wellness care.
Learn more at NewHorizonMedina.com .
Put Your Best Foot Forward
BALANCE FOOT & ANKLE OFFERS
PREMIER PODIATRIC CARE
ARTICLE
BY EMILY SHEA-OWEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY BALANCE FOOT & ANKLE
Dr. Kayla Schaefer, DPM, AACFAS
Balance Foot & Ankle is a podiatry wellness center with five locations across Northeast Ohio, including one in Medina. Balance is a patient-centered, stateof-the-art practice led by highly trained and experienced surgeons who specialize in reconstruction and trauma of the foot and ankle with an emphasis on education, health and wellness. From medical and surgical treatment options to aesthetics and wellness, their team offers a well-rounded and comprehensive approach for women, men, children and seniors.
Let’s break down some of the treatments and assessments available at Balance:
• Pain and injuries: Balance can see and treat anything from stress fractures, hammertoes, gout, neuromas, bunions, tendinitis and heel pain.
• Skin and nails : Assessments and treatments can be performed for corns and calluses, ingrown toenails, athlete’s foot, warts, toenail fungus and injured toenails.
• Diabetic foot care: Balance offers routine diabetic foot exams, preventative foot care and custom fit diabetic shoes and inserts.
• Surgical treatment options: Surgical intervention may be warranted for some foot and ankle conditions and injuries, such as fractures, bunions,
arthritic joints, tendon and ligament tears and congenital deformities.
• Custom orthotics: Many conditions of the foot and ankle can be successfully treated conservatively with custom orthotics. By utilizing the latest digital technology and highest quality materials, custom orthotics can optimize the mechanics of the foot and ankle while protecting arthritis joints, preventing progression of disease and decreasing symptoms associated with many common foot and ankle conditions.
The entire team at Balance is devoted to delivering a full range of modern and innovative solutions with a balanced approach to total wellbeing.
In total, Balance has a team of over 30 individuals across its multiple locations. Medina’s dedicated foot and ankle specialist is Dr. Kayla Schaefer, DPM, AACFAS. As a native Medina resident, Dr. Schaefer is enthusiastic about giving back to her hometown and is dedicated to bringing a warm, professional approach to patient care.
To learn more about Balance, visit BalanceCLE.com. For resources about foot and ankle health from Balance’s team, read their blog at BalanceCLE.com/blog. The Medina practice is located at 4071 Jefferson St.
“Balance Foot & Ankle’s entire team is devoted to delivering a full range of modern and innovative solutions with a balanced approach to total wellbeing.”
The Ultimate Guide to Conducting Your Financial Health Check-Up
ARTICLE
AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY B.A. SCHROCK FINANCIAL GROUP
January is a great time to consider an annual financial review—it’s your chance to take a close look at where you stand, set new goals and plan for what’s ahead. To help you stay on top of your financial game, we’ve put together a simple, practical financial health check-up checklist.
ASSESS YOUR CURRENT FINANCES IN FOUR STEPS
Step 1. Get to Know Your Monthly Budget and Spending Habits:
• Analyze Expenditures: Start by examining your spending over the past year.
• Adjust Your Budget: Based on your spending analysis, adjust your budget to better align with your financial goals.
Step 2. Evaluate All Your Income Streams:
• Assess Stability and Growth: Review your primary and secondary sources of income.
Step 3. Assess Your Savings:
• Emergency Fund Status: Ensure you have an adequate emergency fund.
• Savings Goals: Evaluate your progress towards shortterm and long-term savings goals.
Step 4. Get to Know Your Investment Portfolio:
• Portfolio Performance: Review the performance of your investments, comparing them against relevant benchmarks.
• Asset Allocation and Diversification: Ensure your investment portfolio is well-diversified and aligns with your risk tolerance.
If you’d like help in using this checklist for a financial health check-up, we can help! Whether you’re planning for retirement, investing for the future, or looking to protect your assets, we’re here to listen, understand and help you every step of the way.
Decking
Railing
Patios
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JANUARY 6TH – 11TH
International Pen Pals
Medina Library
Visit the Medina Library during this week to send a letter to someone around the world and receive one too.
JANUARY 11TH
Winter Bird Walk
Oenslager Nature Center / AlderferChatfield Wildlife Sanctuary 10:00 AM
Bundle up, bring a pair of binoculars, and join a naturalist for this walk to search for and observe various bird species. No registration is required and the event is free.
JANUARY 12TH
Bill Lestock: Mandolin
Wadsworth Public Library | 2:00 PM
Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach and the Wadsworth Public Library start a new year of Live at the Library with this free event featuring original mandolin music. The program will be a compelling blend of bluegrass, old time, baroque and blues, perhaps best defined as “Modern Acoustic” music.
JANUARY 18TH
Soup‑er
Series: Ice Fishing
Oenslager Nature Center / AlderferChatfield Wildlife Sanctuary 12:00 PM
This indoor program will teach you the techniques necessary to ice fish in Northern Ohio. Topics will include proper clothing and footwear, safety on the ice, what kinds of equipment to use, what fish you can expect to catch, use of an ice auger and more. No registration is required and the event is free.
JANUARY 21ST
Author Visit with Kirsten Miller
Virtual | 6:30 PM
The Medina County District Library presents this virtual event with US author Kirsten Miller, author of “Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books.” No registration is required to attend.
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Join Aurora Maeve for a free program about the fascinating history of tarot reading, beginning with the Golden Dawn and progressing into the modern practice and application of events
Madison Ratycz, MD
