High school sweethearts Dan and Erika Scherling are using advanced technology to provide optimal wellness and health at their new business venture focused on self-care.
The Ross residents opened Degree Wellness Fox Chapel on March 21 in Indiana Township.
It’s one of two Degree Wellness locations in Pennsylvania — the other is in Doylestown — from the franchise headquartered in Florida.
The self-care studio offers high-tech wellness treatments and technologies that include cryotherapy, cold plunge, infrared sauna, IV therapy, red light and Celluma (medical-grade) light therapy, oxygen therapy and compression massage.
Sleek in design and staffed with five registered nurses to administer all of the IV treatments, a staff of six handles the other services, with an emphasis on swift services.
“We had a client in here getting three treatments at once — IV, light facial and oxygen — and was done in 30 minutes,” Erika Scherling said.
She demonstrated the full-body red light therapy in a private wellness suite.
The goal is to expose the most skin under the red lights, she said, noting the rays are not harmful to the eyes although sunglasses are provided.
The 15-minute light session is touted for its benefits, such as recharging cells and promoting skin health, muscle growth, and helping to manage joint pain.
Pittsburgh pair
The couple, both 2008 graduates of North Hills High School, married eight years ago.
This is their first business together.
“I was cheerleader, and he played football and baseball,” said Erika Scherling of their high school years.
She previously worked as a speech language pathologist, while her husband works full time in corporate banking and owns 12 rental properties.
Degree Wellness is next door to Burn Boot Camp fitness. The couple said the two businesses complement one another.
Erika Scherling handles social media for Degree Wellness and hopes to spread awareness about the multitude of therapies available for patrons 16 and older.
She encourages everyone, including senior citizens, to try the high-tech treaments.
“We are in an area where not a lot of people know about this. We’re providing a general education for all of our therapies to help our clients look better and feel better — mentally, emotionally and physically,” she said.
Customers can tour the facility and try out a treatment session for $20 (IV services excluded).
All items are provided for any session, including towels, water, robes and other gear.
Since opening, the most in-demand services booked by clients include the infrared sauna, cold plunge, cryotherapy and red light therapy and nutrient IV drips.
“Those are our big five,” Dan Scherling said.
Emma Christy, a senior at Hampton High School, recently tried cryotherapy and red light therapy.
“I loved it. I came out feeling so energized, refreshed and just overall amazing,” said Christy, a part-time employee at Degree Wellness.
Christy said she has tried all of the treatments and plans to incorporate them in her wellness journey.
“It’s such a great experience, and I can’t wait to see the long-term results,” Christy said.
The thrill of the chill
The demand for contrast therapy treatments — where clients alternate between time in the infrared sauna (hot) and cold plunge (cold) — is steady, and clients can stream their favorite shows on Netflix while soaking in a cold tub for three minutes or relaxing in the sauna with near, mid and far infrared rays.
Degree Wellness offers individual monthly memberships, ranging from $69 to $269, or clients can book sessions individually.
The service that looks the most mysterious and slightly imposing is the full-body cryotherapy session.
“The fact that you’re getting into a chamber that goes down to -175 degrees Fahrenheit and requires wearing protective clothing could cause someone to be a little intimidated,” Erika Scherling said.
A two- to three-minute session helps to boost metabolism, support detox and immunity and elevate one’s mood through a natural endorphin release, according to the Scherlings.
“This cryo chamber has been a fan favorite in our first week (of opening),” Dan Scherling said.
The chamber operates electrically, and clients can wear either a robe or their clothes inside the chamber.
“We even have UGG slippers you can slip on and wear while you’re in there so you’re nice and cozy,” Erika Scherling said.
Rejuvinating red
The full-body red light therapy treatment is a UV-free — nondamaging — 15-minute session done while standing between two panels in one of the five private wellness suites.
“The more skin you expose the better. Red light charges your body at the cellular level, and the near infrared light goes deeper,” Erika Scherling said.
A red light therapy session is $45 per session without a membership.
“Benefits include scar healing, joint pain, reducing inflammation, and best results are found with having red light two to three times a week,” she said.
Degree Wellness Fox Chapel is located at 3405 Harts Run Road in Indiana Township.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
To book an appointment, download the Degree Wellness app, visit online at degreewellness.com/locations/fox-chapel-pa or call 412-903-9277.