Techniques – from breathing to cold therapy – that help elevate body and brain performance.
It’s a new year and many of us are not happy with the way we look or feel and seek improvements in our fitness and overall health – but perhaps we’re not all that motivated by the usual gym membership and move more, eat less recommendations. Enter biohacking, an exploding trend that, simply stated, is the practice of making intentional changes using science to optimize body and mind. General examples include using wearable technology to track sleep, heart rate and oxygen levels; walking first thing in the morning and after meals to stimulate hormones and reduce insulin resistance; cold showers to boost metabolism; red light therapy for skin and muscle recovery; personalized DNA testing to tailor supplements; and much more.
Charleston Sports Medicine
Bright McConnell III, MD, the founding physician of Charleston Sports Medicine, has been an early adopter of longevity medicine to improve our functionality through exercise science. His practice strategically utilizes advanced techniques such as real-time physiological monitoring to enhance performance, recovery and longevity. “By manipulating natural biological systems, the result is greater efficiency of workouts versus the standard 45-minute jog, walking 10,000 steps, lifting heavy weights improperly,” said Dr. McConnell.
Sue Harter, a licensed physical therapist with Charleston Sports Medicine, has decades of experience in medically based fitness and works directly with Dr. McConnell. She guides clients through Vasper – meaning vascular performance – workouts. Developed by NASA, this therapy uses three scientifically proven principles: compression technology, cooling and interval training to help people “get back to work and get back to life,” she told me. The workouts last about 20 minutes and yield better results than longer, traditional workouts.
Harter also utilizes adaptive resistance exercises using ARX Alpha, which delivers a full-body, ultra-efficient workout that can fit into any schedule and by people of any age. “A full-body workout on the ARX Alpha can be completed in around six minutes and includes leg press, chest press, rowing, calf raises, bicep curls, torse flexions and torso extensions,” Harter shared with me. She stated that “motion is lotion” but is frustrated by poor exercise techniques that some people follow that lead to injuries. Her goal is “to get people above and beyond what their body is used to while reducing risks.” Charleston Sports Medicine offers many other services as well, including laser therapy, orthobiologics, shock wave therapy and more. Its FitMed Partners program offers many services through a monthly membership.
Other local biohacking options
Other advanced biohacking services are offered locally by iCRYO, based on Daniel Island. Studio Director Kyle Radaker tells me that “aging is not a disease” and that simple hacks such as “effective sleep, proper nutrition, exercise/activity and mind-set control, such as prayer/meditation and breathing techniques can help our body regenerate itself.” His clinic offers advanced services including the SECA Bioimpedance Medical Scale that measures your body composition with medical-grade precision; whole body cryotherapy, which is exposure to deep cold for upward of three minutes, resulting in reduced inflammation, easing of pain and boosting the body’s natural healing processes; red light therapy to aid in skin health and energy production; infrared saunas to help detoxify the body; IV infusions, shots, NAD+ therapies; and more to enhance many body systems. Radaker stated that many DIY hacks “don’t control conditions such as insulin resistance” and that “following improper diets can result in loss of muscle along with fat. A properly directed lifestyle program helps the body to regenerate and achieve optimal results.” Many services at iCRYO are available as a monthly subscription, and Radaker said that “Some people substitute their gym membership for a membership at iCRYO.”
Another innovative biohack is available locally at MRI Wellness, which provides a proactive approach to health through magnetic resonance imaging to catch conditions before they become a greater concern. Edward M. Tavel Jr., MD, the center’s medical director, tells me that “our innovative MRI system delivers a comprehensive report, assessing your risk of disease, detecting early signs of cancer and allowing you to dive deeper into the state of your well-being.” Dr. Tavel added that “These scans previously were available only through referrals from health providers but are now available to the public.”
An internet/AI search for biohacking options leads to an enormous amount of information. In this new year, implement some simple techniques and add advanced options to finally achieve those goals.
By D.J. Thatcher, RN, NRP
