Natural treatment centre asserts we are our own healers

A new approach to well-being has made its home in Jasper.

Be Loved Natural Healing Centre, on Connaught Drive next to Everything But, brings seemingly revolutionary treatments to town under one roof. For a forward-thinking mountain town like Jasper, it’s about time a place like this opened up.

Rita Zaffino, who moved to Jasper two years ago with her husband and co-owner Ron D’haene and their children Josh and Elena, said she has a vision for the way health should be addressed. The licensed massage therapist and live blood practitioner has also studied vitamin and nutrition, herbology and homeopathy.

“My goal is to bring the process of conventional healing together with natural healing,” she said. “Both genres of medical professionals can combine their expertise, thereby achieving a more accurate and healthy balance for each and every person.”

Several practices and treatments are available at the centre. For starters, live blood analysis is done onsite, during which a practitioner will use a microscope to show the client his or her blood on a monitor, then recommend vitamin intake and treatment based on what the blood cells indicate regarding the person’s health. 

The oxygen bar at the front of the building gives people a chance to relax and rejuvenate while enjoying the view of the mountains across Connaught Drive. A headset is worn, with a tube attachment that extends to the front of the face which releases a flow of oxygen below the nose. The client inhales the aromatherapy-scented oxygen, which is designed to increase alertness and awareness after about 15 minutes.

In front of the other large window at the front of the centre, are two high-tech massage chairs. Clients take oxygen, receive a massage that’s in sync with relaxing music, and enjoy the view out the window.

Next is the “Vibracise” whole-body vibration machine. Like something out of an infomercial, this piece of equipment consists of a small, vibration platform, on which a person stands. The vibrations send out frequencies that our cells recognize, said D’haene. The Vibracise is designed to tone and burn calories, and is said to be four times as effective as a typical workout.

The centre also has a unique foot spa that uses ions to draw toxins out of the body in a relaxing setting.

One treatment that stands out is a device like a capsule, which a person climbs into so only their head is exposed. It provides a water massage and uses ozone steam to increase the body temperature, open pores, and release toxins. “You come out with baby skin,” D’haene said. 

Finally, an infrared sauna uses dry heat instead of steam to raise the body temperature which allows toxins to be released through sweat.

In addition, practitioners offer a number of treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractor, and massage therapy.  

People can take advantage of each process on its own, or take part in a 14-step detox program that combines the treatments for the most dramatic impact. Using massage and vibration techniques at the start helps release toxins later. “It’s like a glass of water with dirt at the bottom,” D’haene said. “If you shake it up, it’s easier to pour the dirt out.”

A big focus of the centre is increasing oxygen in the body, said D’haene, which can be especially difficult for people living in higher elevations, such as Jasper. “You can literally live months without food, weeks without water, but minutes without air,” he said. “We want to make people aware of that. It’s about figuring out how to absorb more oxygen.”

The centre had a soft opening the night of Moonlight Madness, on Nov. 28, to provide tours and give people a chance to learn about the different processes. The centre is open now and is taking appointments.