It was a little over a year ago that I experienced for the first time the benefits of Whole Body Vibration, alkaline water, and infrared light therapy; three alternative approaches to building health that could be found at My180 Health. At the time, the My180 facility was located in the Publix shopping center complex on County Line Road. Then came the day that the owner, Chip Wilson, sent me a text letting me know that they had been robbed. Everything but two vibration machines and one infrared unit had been stolen.
Many members felt My180 was like a second home. Some came daily. Others told me the program was a lifesaver. A few had been using a walker or even a wheelchair when they first started. To say that the theft was a blow for everyone at My180 is an understatement. They had become family! Now what?
What happened next was, in my view, a pure expression of amazing grace. On the very day that Chip was packing up the remaining equipment and getting ready to close the doors, in walked a woman by the name of Liz Brown. Her doctor had recommended she might find benefit for her fibromyalgia and osteoporosis through the use of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) therapy. She took advantage of the remaining equipment for a few days. After studying up on the background of WBV as a physical therapy modality, she and her husband decided to invest in the “resurrection” of My180 and helped find a new location on Slaughter Road in Madison. “I didn’t want to give up helping people or on the vision,” Chip said, “It brought me joy to see that Liz shares that vision, too!” Chip refers to her as “the angel investor.”
As is often the case when disaster strikes, what comes out of it ends up being better than if it had never happened at all. “We opened back up on September 11th, which was a significant date to me,” said Chip. The new place, whose Madison address is 1618 Slaughter Road, Suite C,is bigger, has better equipment, and has been remodeled so that it can offer more services, including medically prescribed physical therapy. My180 Health now has an NPI number. This means that My180 Health is recognized as a therapy provider by most major insurers, as well as by Medicare and Medicaid. This is significant because it means more people can get the help they need through their insurance provider. Chip said, “We are better than we were because we have been blessed. The cost of our overhead is 50% lower, most of our old member are back, and we are going to be able to add more technologically advanced equipment to help our members.”
The new FAR infrared light therapy saunas consist of wavelengths similar to that which is emitted naturally by the human body. Today, many healthcare professionals throughout the world use FAR infrared heaters to treat a variety of diseases. “It gives 20 minutes of the healthful rays of sunlight with no side effects,” said Chip. Traditional saunas just heat the surface of the skin, rather than penetrate to a depth of 1.5 to 2 inches, as the FAR sauna does. This is believed to help with circulation, pain relief, and detoxification, just to name a few. As a bonus, these particular units emit no Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), which is a concern for many.
I had the chance to talk to Liz and ask her what being a member at My180 Health means to her. I was pleased to find out that she is someone for whom solid research is important. She felt comfortable moving ahead because WBV has been used by astronauts to rebuild bone and has an FDA Class 1 Medical Device rating. Many studies have been conducted world-wide which boast multiple benefits. However, her eagerness in promoting its benefits came as a result of using the equipment to get relief from discomfort caused by fibromyalgia and osteoporosis.
Traditional weight-bearing exercise frequently causes pain, so she was seeking an alternative that could still help maintain or even increase her bone density. I asked her what kinds of changes she had seen since September, and she told me that she was just back from a two-week vacation with her husband. Her daughter greeted her with, “Well look at you! You look so alive and energetic!” Liz went on to say, “After only three weeks at My180, I feel as though I have more spring in my step, increased energy and balance. I am sleeping much more soundly and even lost a few pounds!”
Her account impressed me, and I have heard similar stories from other My180 members. WBV has been helping people with diabetes, neuropathy, ataxia, and other maladies. Many members see it as an opportunity to improve their quality of life. Another bonus that the members enjoy is that they can do their complete workout in street clothes and in about 20 minutes! No more excuses!
My180 Health offers a few other services as well: Lipo-B12 injections, which are administered by an RN and help in fat-burning, nutritional and natural supplements to aid with weight loss, and FitVibe classes. These small yet creative classes are designed for all fitness levels to challenge the beginner as well as the advanced participant. As an added benefit, alkaline water is available to all members and patients. Many enjoy drinking alkaline water for its pH balancing properties.
An exciting new use of modern technology that My180 Health will be implementing soon is what is known as InBody Testing. It is a machine that you stand on for two to three minutes, and it will measure visceral fat, water retention, skeletal muscle mass, and more. “You want to lose fat, not muscle,” says Chip. Your InBody Testing results will help the staff at My180 Health personally tailor your fitness program in conjunction with Whole Body Vibration.
If you have found the big gyms too overwhelming, or if you have been looking for a way to build your health while building a community, Chip invites you to take advantage of a two-day pass available at My180 Health. He wants to help you to “STAY STRONG THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.”
My180 Health
Address: 1618 Slaughter Rd, Madison, AL 35758
Phone: 256-970-4980
Hours: M – F 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
SAT 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
