Among the celestial bodies in outer space exists a narrow zone around a star where atmospheric conditions are optimal for the existence of water on a planet’s surface — not too hot (“fire”) and not too cold (“ice”). It is in this habitable space all life can flourish.
The combination of fire and ice has been working wonders for centuries, not only within the atmosphere, but also the human body. Medical practitioners, physical and occupational therapists, athletic coaches and trainers and the like have, for years, “prescribed” the alternation of cold and hot compresses/treatments to reduce inflammation, pain and swelling and increase blood flow, relax muscles and promote healing, respectively. Many people, with this knowledge in tow, understand the “healing” power of these two elements when combined and applied correctly.
Historically, advice on how best to treat the ailing body was reserved for those ascribed the expertise necessary to recommend such a course of action. In recent years, fortunately, many wellness facilities, including the aptly named Fire and Ice Wellness Center in Newport News have harnessed this knowledge and now offer treatment sessions that address the entire wellness spectrum: physical activity, nutrition, recovery and sleep.
Fire and Ice Wellness Center was founded four years ago by Dave Hannum, alongside his wife, Tanis Broadwell, and has been gaining ground ever since. While their original efforts were on recovery for injured athletes, the shifting of the market has resulted in an expanded focus on longevity — helping people “learn about their bodies and understand what will make them feel good and live longer,” says Hannum.
The wellness center offers treatments focused on three core services — infrared sauna therapy, red light therapy and whole body cryo-therapy. Fire and Ice is one of the only places on the market housing an electric whole body cryo-therapy chamber, which is much like a dry cold freezer, but for humans. A three-minute session in the chamber sends the body into fight or flight mode pushing the blood internal to protect the organs, and within 3-4 minutes outside the chamber, the blood rushes back to the periphery, “flushing out inflammation in the joints, muscles and throughout the body, making you feel better almost instantly,” Hannum says.
Hannum’s training and education in exercise physiology, with a degree from Old Dominion University, and his many years of experience in the industry make him well suited to this endeavor. “Inflammation is the devil,” says Hannum. “Every modality we have controls inflammation in some pattern — knee hurts, head hurts, back hurts. Many come here because they’ve tried everything else and nothing is working.”
Along with the longevity modalities, Fire and Ice, with a physician on deck, is getting back into the IV therapy side of things, a treatment that pushes fluids and essential nutrients into the body to hydrate and enhance recovery. This treatment is “phenomenal if a person is sick or just not feeling well,” says Hannum. “We never drink enough water and the IV supercharges that to put fluids back in the body.” The center is also branching out, yet again, into the aesthetics side of things — to offer Botox, hormone therapy, etc.
As the center evolves so, too, does Hannum as he continues his athleticism through HYROX training, the sport of fitness racing. “HYROX has helped me physically and mentally; all the training makes me feel young again,” says Hannum.
No doubt, Hannum’s continued presence in the athletic world will spur on growth of Fire and Ice in ways that will enhance the life experience, perhaps even expansion to a Williamsburg site. Regardless, Hannum assures, “We are here to help people along their journey, their wellness and mentality so they can age gracefully and feel good doing it.”
TO THE POINT:
Fire and Ice Wellness Center
Address: 11828 Canon Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606
Contact: Dave Hannum and Tanis Broadwell, owners
Phone: 757-272-1746
Website: fireandicewellnesscenter.com
