Living In Las Cruces- Spring/Summer 2008

HEALTH & FITNESS

By Anela Borrego
Photography by Linda Montoya

Centenarians -- people living to be 100-plus -- are no longer a sliver of the population. But there was a time in history, during the Roman Empire, when the average life expectancy wasn't even past the 30s; in the 1920s it was a stretch if you made it to be 50 years old, but these days people are alive and kicking well into their 80s, 90s and even 100s. According to the National Institute of Aging, there are now 79,000 centenarians in the United States and by 2050, that number is expected to be closer to a million.

The idea of living longer -- much longer --has many people wanting to "live
the good life" for as long as possible. It's no mystery, the better you treat
your body, the better it will treat you, not only for today, but for the rest of your life. Old age is often associated with pain and suffering, but with proper healthcare, balanced nutrition and daily exercise, people are able to attain and maintain a higher quality of life well into their later years. For example, actor Matt Damon's uncle, George Brunstad, swam 21 hours to cross the English Channel in record time when he was 70 years old -- an accomplishment that signifies that life doesn't have to end or even slow down because of age. That's not to say aging isn't inevitable, but Dr. Brian Hesser, owner and founder of Millennium Health & Wellness, says,"Aging doesn't have to be a painful process." He stresses preventative care as the secret to living your best life possible."People usually wait until they're in pain to come see me, and that's okay, but if people would be more proactive with their health they could reap even greater benefits,"says Dr. Hesser.

Dr. Hesser and the entire team at Millennium Health & Wellness are taking enormous strides towards providing a total wellness package for their patients and clientele.Their motto, to "...move well, eat well, think well, live well," is something that is at the heart and soul of the business. According to Dr. Hesser, "Your chances of living into your 80s, 90s, and even possibly 100 years old are increasing. Why not have a sensational century fueled by your maximum potential?" He says it is never too late to start caring about your health and wellness. Dr. Hesser and the Millennium team want to empower people to be in charge of the quality of life everyone deserves.

The History
Dr. Hesser started Millennium Chiropractic in 1998. The business was started with only a staff of three: Dr. Hesser, Physical Therapist Greg Noel and a receptionist, but over the past 10 years, Millennium Chiropractic has not only changed its name to Millennium Health & Wellness, but has become a leader in providing the community with the most beneficial technology the health and fitness industry has to offer. The company has been built on a "live well" philosophy that exudes out of every aspect of the business. It's a philosophy even Dr. Hesser himself lives by.The live-well philosophy, as Dr. Hesser would say, is about being happy, healthy and having vitality. Dr. Hesser urges people to address their health and well-being in an all-inclusive type of way, and that is why the business has expanded its services well beyond chiropractic and physical therapy, to now including massage, fitness training, nutrition and supplement consulting.

The New Facility
Due to the ever-expanding services now provided by Millennium Health & Wellness, the business has quickly outgrown its current location, on Telshor Boulevard, and now has a new facility under construction. This new facility, located off Lohman Avenue, will be complete by mid-March 2008 and will boast 20,000 square feet, all of which will house both a new therapy clinic and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The therapy clinic will encompass the chiropractic, physical therapy, rehabilitation and nutritional services. The fitness center will be unlike any other fitness facility in the area, providing the latest and greatest the fitness industry has to offer.

State-of-the-art Equipment
The equipment in the new facility is so much more than just your traditional, runof- the mill exercise equipment. The equipment in the new Millennium Fitness Facility is beyond extraordinary. It will give community members the opportunity to explore and expand their fitness capabilities in ways that were never before available in this region. One of the premier pieces of equipment at the new location will be the SpineForce, which, according to the company's website, is "the only machine in the world able to target, strengthen and recondition the deep muscles of the spine." SpineForce can be utilized by everyone from elite athletes to those with extremely limited mobility, making it truly beneficial to a vast array of people.

Another part of Millennium's fitness equipment arsenal is Kenesis by Techno-Gym. A press release supplied by Techno- Gym states, "Kenesis is an innovative and unique system that focuses on movement through balance, flexibility and strength." The facility will also offer other Techno-Gym equipment such as the Cardio Wave, a multiplanar cardio machine that provides great intensity, but with no impact to your joints. Millennium will also have a number of Gravity Training Systems. Created by the makers of Total Gym, Gravity Systems allow for a total body workout and is a perfect piece of equipment for Pilates training.

In addition to their new services, Millennium will continue to offer chiropractic
services, physical therapy, family medicine, personal training, nutritional consulting and blood testing to determine if you are on the right food plan, all of which takes nutrition to a whole new level.