New wellness center opens in Matlacha
Pine Island / Matlacha has a new Wellness Center on Matlacha Island. Located at 4130 Pine Island Road, N.W., the Matlacha Wellness Center specializes in weight loss, personal training, muscle toning, arthritis relief, post physical therapy rehabilitation, anti-inflammatory eating, mindfulness, fitness, nutrition, relaxation and complete body health.
“I really love this area and decided this is where I wanted this business to be,” owner Tim Shevlin said. “I officially opened about six months ago and gradually over time brought the pieces together. I believe in a natural approach to health; organic and fresh juice, exercise, healthy eating, meditation and mindfulness are a few staples that I believe are paramount to a well balanced and healthy life. The Matlacha Wellness Center is here for exactly that, to teach you and help you live a truly healthy life.
“My original plan was to become an orthopedic surgeon,” Shevlin said. “Going through college I began to have second thoughts when I severely herniated a disk in my back. I had a number of MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) done and gradually after about two years managed to rehab my back. That really got me into a natural approach to preventative health care. That really became my passion and brought me to this point in my life.”
The Matlacha Wellness Center offers a full range of “wellness” activities.
“It all begins with personal training,” Shevlin said. “We have certified personal trainers to provide guidance and inspiration as well as customized programs based on individual goals.
“When it comes to weight loss, someone comes in we go over their current diet,” Shevlin said. “Knowing where someone is right now tells us a lot. Depending on their goals and their needs we construct a program. We will either make small changes to begin with or overhaul everything right away – it depends on the individual. I don’t believe in weight loss drugs or supplements. We’ve been given all this food and the approach should be with unprocessed natural foods to get better results. Lean proteins, fish, beef, brown rice, oat meal, everything you needs you can find at your local grocery store.
“I also have someone in here who does nutrition as well and her name is Kalyn Horney,” he continued. “She works detox programs, nutrition and teaches people how to really balance their diets, she also uses blood test results to find deficiencies.”
Shevlin said he feels there are three necessary parts to a weight loss program and a healthier life: weight training, cardio vascular and diet. All three are necessary to reach your desired goals.
“Inflammation is a huge issue and has been in the news lately,” Shevlin said. “Inflammation can even increase chronic diseases. When a part of your body is injured it’s inflamed and your body sends extra blood to that area in an effort to ‘cure’ it. For someone with a very poor diet, every cell in the body can become inflamed and your body fights against itself. Someone with arthritis will feel it in their joints. By improving their diet they can make those symptoms decrease in intensity and in some cases disappear.”
The Matlacha Wellness Center also provides “post physical therapy rehab.”
“Physical therapy helps people to do the basic tasks they did before their injury. Post physical therapy rehab brings them further along to help them get back to living a full life,” Shevlin said.
The center also provides massage therapy by Vonnie Bixby.
“It all starts with a Swedish base and then develops to deep tissue, fibromialgia, sports and neuromuscular massages,” Shevlin said. “Bixby is available three days a week.
“Our goal is to provide the widest range of services possible,” Shevlin said. “We are here to serve the people of Pine Island and Matlacha for many years to come.”
Hours at the center are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; also available by appointment. For more information, contact Shevlin at 239-558 4146.