Holistically Healthy

Holistic health is a growing industry, and Columbia is home to numerous small businesses dedicated to treating the whole person — body, mind and spirit.

“Holistic health looks at the body as a unit,” says Barb Duggan, owner of Connective Health Massage Therapy. “It’s a unit with parts, for sure, but everything is connected.”

Check out these local businesses helping Columbians reach optimal wellness.

Element Cryotherapy

A health treatment rapidly growing in popularity across the United States, cryotherapy uses cold temperatures (-180 degrees F to -240 degrees F) to safely lower body temperature, quickly send blood, oxygen and nutrients to the skin, and in doing so reduce inflammation and pain and increasing collagen production. The four main health benefits are recovery, beauty, weight loss and overall health and wellness. Cryotherapy sessions last only three minutes, and because the air in the treatment chamber is dry, the temperature doesn’t feel as cold as it sounds.

2901 W. Broadway, No. 115, 573-214-2616, elementcryo.com

Connective Health Massage Therapy

In addition to more traditional massage therapy services, Connective Health Massage offers neuromuscular therapy (NMT) that addresses muscle dysfunction, chronic pain, breathing problems and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. NMT gives therapists specific protocols that are researchbased to alleviate pain and dysfunction. “Our massage therapists are looking for physical root cause of dysfunction, so we tend to ask more questions and will work on areas like the abdominals or muscles related to breathing to uncover more of the contributing factors of dysfunction and pain,” owner Barb Duggan says. “We want people to experience more freedom of movement in their bodies.”

3211 S. Providence Road, Suite 105, 573825-1601, connectivehealthmassage.com

Clarity Float Spa

Said to relieve stress, muscle tension, pain, anxiety and more, floating is a relaxation practice that involves submerging your body in shallow water (about 10 inches deep) with magnesium sulfate content. The high salt content makes the body more buoyant in the water, allowing you to “float.” At Clarity Float Spa, this occurs either in the Dream Pod, a “futuristic, sleep and womb-like” device, or the Dream Cabin, a larger flotation device (tall enough to stand up in) that “feels more like floating through outer space.” Floats last 90 minutes and deliver a deep sense of calm.

309 S. Providence Road, 573-825-8788, clarityfloats.com

Nikki Aleto Coaching

Nikki Aleto is an emotional freedom technique practitioner, which means she utilizes EFT to help clients let go of their emotional barriers and negative energy, addressing everything from money issues, fear of flying and anxiety to job issues, parent conflict, test anxiety and more. According to Aleto, “EFT combines the exposing of a stressful experience with physical light tapping on specific meridian endpoints, calming the brain while desensitizing the issue at hand.” Aleto offers both in-person and online sessions.

573-424-4344, nikki@nikkialetocoaching.com nikkialetocoaching.com

Karma Care LLC

A self-described “metaphysical shop” in Columbia, Karma Care LLC offers biomatting services by appointment for those seeking healing and detoxification. Combining infrared light, negative ion technology and amethyst crystals, BioMats are FDA-licensed medical devices said to deliver therapeutic healing benefits such as pain relief, improved circulation and stress reduction.

1414 Rangeline St., Suite B, 573-777-1615, karmacarellc.com

Heart, Body & Soul

A “one-stop shop for centered, conscious living,” Heart, Body & Soul offers products for healthy living as well as services that promote overall well-being. Mary Cruise, a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist specializing in traditional Chinese medicine, offers acupuncture and massage services, and guest practitioners offer Reiki and ThetaHealer services as well.

1004 W. Worley St., 573-777-6771,

heartbodyandsoul.org l