Wellness is often defined as the active pursuit of good health, a topic of growing importance in an increasingly stressful world. Everyone has their own approach to wellness, and that is where the inaugural Lakewood Health and Wellness Fair comes in to help.
The fair debuted Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Revalations building in Lakewood, Ohio. The former salon was renovated into a space with a variety of health practitioners and specialists dedicated to holistic health.
“We have a beautiful space here,” said Hannah Inglish, owner of Ananda Wellness Massage. “Since moving back to the area, I have met so many really great practitioners. They’re all very smart, and I really want to share that information with the public because it is not always easy to come by.”
The newly renovated building was a perfect place to host a one-of-a-kind event like this. There were many different types of Health Practitioners, including massage therapists, nutritionists, and estheticians. Inglish noted that these professionals often provide the personalized care that traditional systems might overlook.
“I also feel like our health care system is failing us, and these are the people that are going to fill in the gaps,” Inglish said.
Many participants use methods rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine that emerged over 3,000 years ago. These holistic approaches focus on treating the root cause of an ailment rather than just its symptoms, which is one of the main issues with the U.S. health care system today.
“I think a lot of people look for a quick fix. There’s no quick fix. If it’s a quick fix, that means it’s going to break again, right?” said Adrienne Smith, a human engineering specialist. “Don’t look for band-aids. Look for the root cause, and you’ll be good forever.”
Smith, who transitioned from the automotive industry to owning a gym and earning 50 health certifications, led a seminar on the gut microbiome. She focused on the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, avoiding processed junk food, and staying away from Ozempic or GLP-1 medications. The fair held these classes throughout the event, along with others on regulating your nervous system and the benefits of a holistic lifestyle.
The emphasis on a “whole-body” approach extended to skincare.
“I offer facials that approach the root concerns of skin, so I don’t really like to do any band-aid approaches,” said Anna Blubaugh, owner and esthetician at Skin Therapy in Lakewood. “I really focus on barrier care and want to create minimalist and sustainable routines for people that will help them reach their skin goals.”
The event moved past just offering lectures. Practitioners offered hands-on services, including massages and individual consultations. The event highlighted a shift in the local health landscape for both the greater Cleveland area and the United States as a whole. The Lakewood Health and Wellness Fair suggested that wellness is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a community-supported journey of education and personal care.
