NATURAL WELL-BEING : “There is nothing like our wellness center in the area, with all the elements we include. Our clients like the whole range of services we offer.” Owner Silvia Fedorcikova (center) of 4 Elements Wellness in the Princeton Shopping Center is shown with staff members Kate Raynor (left) and Christine Flanagan.

By Jean Stratton

Earth, air, fire, and water! These elements are in full force at 4 Elements Wellness in the Princeton Shopping Center. This new wellness center offers an array of holistic therapeutic treatments.

“This is something I have a passion for,” explains owner Silvia Fedorcikova. “I love holistic and natural therapy. I had done research about innovative treatments, including cryotherapy, and I also learned about the upcoming industry in flotation.

“I wanted to expand our wellness center into the concept of four elements — earth, air, fire, and water. Our treatments help boost energy, appearance, and mood. They help you feel and look good.”

She and her husband Stan opened the center last November, and 4 Elements Wellness is a new venture for them. They have owned Galaxy Tile of Princeton for the past five years, and before that, Silvia worked at Massage Therapy in Hillsborough, becoming general manager.

Something New

Originally from Slovakia, Fedorcikova has lived in the U.S. for the past 22 years. Galaxy Tile had become successful, she says, “and I was looking for something else. We had a wonderful staff at Galaxy Tile — loyal, capable, and trustworthy — so I was able to try something else.”

Fedorcikova had specific ideas in mind when she opened 4 Elements. According to the center’s mission statement, the core values are “Passion, Integrity, Commitment, Open-mindedness, Innovation, Inspiration, and Nurture.”

Further, the center hopes “to be the premier bespoke supplier of innovative, natural wellness services in the central Jersey area. As a strong believer in the power of holistic medicine, the creator/owner has taken the core of ancient treatments and married that with the latest in innovative technologies. The practices and techniques at 4 Elements have been used for hundreds of years in Europe and shown significant success. Services like those at 4 Elements are offered at medical offices, spas, and wellness centers all over the world.”

In addition, “With a commitment to positivity, 4 Elements prides itself on treating the body and mind to strengthen the whole person. An elemental, alchemical approach, a seemingly magical process of transformation.”

Several treatments are available at 4 Elements, all with a connection to earth, air, fire, and water.

Cold Temperatures

Cryotherapy is the whole body use of extremely cold temperatures. Benefits are said to include reduced inflammation, pain relief, improved mobility, and faster recovery from injury. The process also may decrease cellular metabolism and increase cellular survival.

In the cold temperature, explains Fedorcikova, the blood vessels quickly constrict, forming a protective layer while the core body temperature is maintained. The process naturally stimulates blood circulation as the body’s hormone, immune, and nervous system are activated.

Local cryotherapy can also be used for accelerated healing of the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, back, legs, ankles, and feet. It is believed to be effective for acute and chronic conditions.

In addition, cryo facial therapy uses pressurized liquid nitrogen vapors which are applied to the face and neck to stimulate the production of collagen and decrease pore size. Cryo facials have been used to diminish blemishes and scars, speed healing, and improve skin conditions, such as rosacea and dermatitis. The skin can become tightened and more even-toned.

Flotation therapy provides ways to calm the mind and relax the body, points out Fedorcikova. The 4 Elements float room is an open tub, including 200 gallons of heated water, infused with approximately 900 pounds of pharmaceutical grade Epsom salt. The density of the salt water places the floater in an environment in which approximately 80 percent of the gravity usually experienced no longer affects the body.

An important benefit is stress reduction. As the effects of gravity are removed, the body can rest, recuperate, and heal.

Radiant Heat

Another treatment is Clearlight Infrared sauna. Its radiant heat penetrates deeply into the joints, muscles, and tissues, accelerating oxygen flow and increasing circulation, and it is completely safe, says Fedorcikova. It also helps to remove impurities from the cells, specifically cells in fat where the body stores waste and harmful toxins.

Celluma is a low level light therapy (LLT) device, designed to manage a variety of pain and skin conditions. Advanced technology provides three different wave lengths to work synergistically to treat different skin and muscle issues at varying depths, from the surface of the skin to the subcutaneous layer.

As Fedorcikova points out, “Cleared by the FDA for pain management and skin care, research has shown that LLT can increase circulation, speed tissue repair, kill acne bacteria, decrease inflammation, and improve skin tone, texture and clarity, as well as ease muscle and joint pain, stiffness, spasm, and arthritis.”

Another popular treatment at 4 Elements is halotherapy. Otherwise known as salt therapy, it is similar to spending time in the salt air at the beach. This offers many more benefits than just relaxing on the beach, reports Fedorcikova. She notes that there are thousands of salt rooms in Europe and elsewhere.

Salt levels affect cell activity, energy, and blood sugar levels, she notes. The negatively charged ions in salt improve health and mood. Regular and consistent halo- therapy helps to remove toxins from the lungs, increase oxygen intake, and boost energy levels. It is also said to improve skin elasticity, kill bacteria, and help to manage many skin conditions. In combination with a fitness routine, it improves oxygen circulation and increases an overall sense of well-being.

“At 4 Elements, our halotherapy room is uniquely designed to create a relaxing, ‘feel-good’ atmosphere. Whether lying on the heated floor covered with salt crystals, sitting on a meditation cushion, a canvas sling chair, or relaxing in a hammock hanging chair, experience the ultimate escape and ‘breathe’!”

Treatment times vary, with several lasting a half hour or an hour. Full body cryotherapy sessions are three minutes and 10 to 15 minutes for local and facial therapy. All staff members have been trained in the correct procedures for the treatments.

Prices cover a wide range, from $30 to $80 a session, depending on the treatment. Special packages are offered, which include discounts, and gift cards are also available.

In addition, a variety of events are offered each month, including meditation and sound therapy sessions.

Assorted retail products are also popular with customers, notes Fedorcikova. Organic soap, bath salts, candles, hydrogen-infused water, Skinade, and other items are all in stock.

Natural Levels

Hydrogen-infused water is believed to provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, relieve fatigue, boost energy, enhance circulation and cell function, and improve fitness performance and recovery.

Skinade is a special daily skincare beverage, which works from within to rebuild and strengthen collagen, boost natural levels of hydration, and help to reduce the appearance of final lines and wrinkles.

Silvia Fedorcikova explains that the benefits of the treatments and these products are typically seen after six to 12 sessions, and then a maintenance plan is recommended to ensure continued improvement.

Clients are men and women, and range in age from 13 to 80, she adds. They include people from Princeton and the area. She is pleased to introduce the 4 Elements concept to many clients who have been unfamiliar with most of the treatments.

“Most of my clients do not know about this, and the more people learn about the concept, the more they appreciate it. We get new people coming every day.”

Skillman resident Kelly Campbell, a recent customer, was interested in learning about the 4 Elements program. “This is my first time here. I was referred to 4 Elements by a friend, and I am looking forward to trying the cryotherapy treatment.”

Positive Difference

For her part, Fedorcikova is eager to introduce even more people to the benefits of 4 Elements. “I love people. I love it when someone stops me in the supermarket and says, ‘Look, my arm doesn’t hurt anymore! I feel so much better.’ This is so rewarding.

“I believe I am doing something that can make a positive difference in someone’s life. I love to see people happy and feeling better.”

She adds that she is very encouraged with the response. “I’ve actually been surprised at how it has taken off so quickly. We have been so well-received. Now, I look forward to being even busier — to have someone here every hour of the day!”

4 Elements Wellness is open seven days: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 to 6, and Sunday 9 to 4. (609) 285-3115.