BodyConscious: A Wellness Center for the Health-conscious

Let’s face it, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is easier said than done. Sticking to an exercise regime, cutting down on carbohydrates, having a healthy, balanced diet and getting a good eight hours’ sleep a night can be all but impossible for many of us normal humans. A New Year’s resolution alone isn’t enough, too – never was, never will be. That’s where health and wellness coaches come in as useful guides on our journey to a healthy life.

BodyConscious reception | Credit: BodyConscious

Earlier this year, “BodyConscious” opened its doors as a holistic, multidisciplinary wellness center located on the seventh floor of the Column Bangkok Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 16. The center comprises a team of experts – a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, physiotherapist, wellness advisor, holistic nurse and a fitness trainer – to help clients improve their overall health and keep in good shape through a range of alternative medical treatments and therapies.

Although offering several interesting wellness and weightloss packages with catchy titles such as “Shrink Me”, “Tone Me”, “Fix Me”, and “Renew Me”, BodyConscious clients are given personal attention to make sure that they receive the most effective course of treatment.

“Yes, we have our set programs, but we also personalize them,” explains Dr Yinhsu Liu, the center’s clinic director and naturopathic physician. “In our wellness consultations, we can recommend one of our signature programs, or we can create a whole personalized program for you. Or we can take it step by step – take it one appointment at a time and see how you feel after the treatments to see what works best for you.”

BodyConscious waiting area| Credit: BodyConscious

If a client comes in without a package in mind, the center’s wellness consultant and Dr Liu will co-create a plan for a wellness journey that fits the budget and health goals.

“Every client’s visit starts with a session with a wellness consultant who acts as their ‘wellness concierge’, helping the client figure out which process, which appointment, which therapy, and perhaps even what order of treatments best suits their needs and condition.

“Personalization and listening are the most important elements in what we do. Imagine that you come in wanting ‘fat-loss’ (I use the word ‘fat-loss’ not ‘weight-loss’ because fat is the real concern) but from our conversation I learn that the root of your problem is toxicity, whether physical or emotional…we will then tailor your treatments around detox and supporting the healing process. For someone else, the cause may be nutrition, or hormones, or psychological factors such as stress. Different people need different approaches – that’s the human-centric touch that differentiates us,” she says.

BodyConscious Team | Credit: BodyConscious

The team here are all experts in their respective fields, very friendly and knowledgeable. They have a passion for what they do, so serving clients and making sure they walk out better and healthier than when they came in is not just a “job” for them; it’s a mission.

“We’re here to support each individual through his or her wellness journey. The human-to-human contact is something so precious nowadays,” says Dr Liu.

For example, Chatyodsakon “Guy” Rajatanavin, the center’s traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor, combines acupuncture with several natural healing techniques such as singing bowls and tuning forks, to heal the body and mind. With years of experience in TCM working at hospitals in Bangkok and China, and fluency in English, Thai and Chinese, Chatyodsakon is passionate about finding appropriate options to help his clients heal and relax.

Sound Healing with Singing Bowls| Credit: BodyConscious

“The needles are the starting point for energy flow, but when used with the sound therapy tools, the process facilitates a much deeper and smoother whole-body experience through all the senses,” explains Dr Liu, adding: “Other practitioners may be doing TCM or sound therapy, but we believe that our delivery is different: our clients feel well taken care of in a very supportive way.”

Another favorite practitioner at the center is physiotherapist Pachara “Mac” Punnatornurarin, known for his attention to
detail and interpersonal skills.

“Mac’s gentle humility belies his tremendous knowledge, but it shines through in his way of taking care of the client and really explaining things. He is very nourishing and supportive, and very clear about what he’s going to do. He wants to make sure you understand what’s going to happen during the treatment, and that has been very well received by our clients,” says Dr Liu.

BodyConscious takes a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to providing health solutions to clients.

“We work together as a team, so if someone is receiving acupuncture – for example – and we may feel that the client would also benefit from improved posture, we would arrange a complimentary analysis with our physiotherapist in order to help the client heal faster. It’s not like a normal clinic or hospital where departments compete against each other. As a team we support whoever comes through the door,” Dr Liu explains.

It is this “human-to-human, heart-to-heart” mindset that keeps the center busy, with locals, expats and even medical tourists flying in just for treatments. For those looking for alternative medical therapies to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, keep fit in shape, or heal faster from certain sickness, BodyConscious is certainly well worth visiting. After all, the best gift that you can give to yourself is a healthy you.

BodyConscious
7th floor, Column Bangkok Hotel
48 Sukhumvit Soi 16, Klongtoey
Tel. 02 302 2861
www.bodyconsciousbkk.com