Feeling Dazed By Buzzwords, Products That Promise The Moon, And Things You Should Do Now?
If you have been trying to stay on top of new “miracle cures,” social media wellness trends, or buzzy new Myrtle Beach gadgets only to get more frustrated, confused, or skeptical, you are in good company. Lots of parents, business professionals, and health minded Myrtle Beach clients we work with every day have the same questions: How can I know what is worth trying? How can I not get scammed or waste time, energy, and money on stuff that does not work or is not right for me?
Body Lab Studio is built on one simple principle: Real change happens when you know why you are doing what you are doing. So we put together this guide to help you wade through all the well marketed noise to sort out what is real, what is worth a try, and what is just selling you a dream. Welcome to the ask for evidence method.
What Is "Evidence-Based" Wellness and Why Does It Matter?
Evidence based just means that:
- There is more than one peer reviewed study done on the treatment, not just anecdotes and testimonials
- The results can be tracked and measured, not just “feel better”
- The person who works with you understands the “why” and can answer your questions
- Programs and protocols are updated as research is published, with no stagnant protocols or fly by night fads
Choosing this kind of care is the only way to protect against being misled, disappointed, or even placed at risk. See how technology-based wellness at Body Lab Studio is grounded in real science.
Questions to Ask Before Committing to a Wellness Treatment
Question | What to Look For |
What scientific evidence supports this treatment? | Specific references to known medical journals or published studies, not just “clinically proven” |
Is the technology FDA cleared or used in medical settings? | Devices like infrared systems or red light panels should have documented safety and clearance status |
Can results be measured and tracked? | Ask how you will know if it is working: photos, body scans, symptom trackers |
What are the risks, side effects, or contraindications? | All legitimate wellness treatments have possible limitations or clients who should approach with caution. Make sure the professionals you work with explain this fully |
How many sessions do most people need? | Evidence based care will outline the general protocol and typical timelines for progress and results |
Science Backed Modalities at Body Lab Studio
Not every wellness treatment that sounds impressive actually has the research to back it up. At Body Lab Studio, every modality we offer has been selected because published peer reviewed studies support its use, not because it is trending on social media or sounds compelling in a brochure.
The four core categories below represent what we consider the most well supported, practically effective, and measurably trackable options available in a non medical wellness setting. Each one has a defined mechanism, a documented evidence base, and a clear way for you to track whether it is working for your specific goals.
1. Infrared Wellness in Myrtle Beach
The Science: Infrared heat has been well studied for its ability to increase circulation and drive cardiovascular demand through thermoregulatory responses. Research shows moderate evidence for benefits including reduced blood pressure, improved cardiac function, and reduced pain and fatigue. Some evidence also suggests potential positive effects on energy metabolism, though results in this area vary across individuals and more research is ongoing. Infrared therapy is used in clinical, post injury, and sports rehabilitation contexts and has been documented in multiple peer reviewed trials.
Your Metric: Quality of sleep, soreness levels, energy, bloating, photos, and measurement changes over consistent sessions.
2. POLY Red Light Therapy in Myrtle Beach
The Science: POLY uses FDA cleared LED light therapy technology. The photobiomodulation research base, covering red and near infrared light, includes a substantial number of published clinical trials showing evidence for wound healing support, collagen stimulation, improvements in skin quality, and inflammation reduction when used consistently over time. As with all therapies, individual results vary and the quality of evidence differs across specific applications.
Your Metric: Skin improvements, muscle recovery tracking, mood and sleep journaling.
3. Lymphatic Drainage
Mechanical and manual drainage has been studied for its ability to reduce swelling, speed recovery from surgery or intense workouts, and support lymphatic flow. Peer reviewed trials confirm measurable improvements in limb volume and recovery timelines with consistent treatment. Some evidence suggests positive effects on the lymphatic system, which plays a broader role in immune and fluid regulation, though direct immune function claims require more research in general wellness populations.
Your Metric: Pre and post measurements of target areas, visible and tangible changes in puffiness or heaviness, and recovery speed between sessions.
4. EMS + RF Sculpting, LPG Endermologie, Laser PBM
The Science: Each of these modalities has its own mechanism, evidence base, and appropriate application:
- EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) has been used in clinical rehabilitation and sports medicine for decades. Published research supports its role in muscle activation, neuromuscular function, post surgical recovery, and body contouring when combined with RF energy.
- RF (Radiofrequency) Sculpting has supporting research in aesthetic settings for skin tightening and body contouring. A controlled multicenter study showed significant reductions in abdominal fat and increases in muscle thickness with combined EMS and RF treatment.
- LPG Endermologie has been studied for circulation improvement, lymphatic support, and reduction in cellulite appearance. A year long prospective study demonstrated measurable circumference reductions and improvements in body shape with few side effects.
- Class IV Laser PBM (Photobiomodulation) is a separate, technician assisted service that uses high power concentrated laser light to penetrate deeper into muscles, ligaments, and joints than surface level LED panels. It has clinical evidence for pain relief, tissue recovery, and deep tissue support. This is distinct from the POLY LED device and has its own protocol and application.
Your Metric: Gains in strength and muscle definition, measurable changes in body composition and skin firmness, flexibility improvements, and pain or recovery tracking for Laser PBM.
Red Flags for New Wellness Trends and Treatments
- Vague mechanism claims: Phrases like “boosts cellular energy” or “optimizes metabolism” with no explanation of how the mechanism works, no study cited, and no context for who responds and why
- Sales pressure: Being pushed to “buy six sessions or a package now” before you have tried anything or had your goals assessed
- No references to published studies or peer reviewed research
- One size fits all: Any provider who applies the same program to every client regardless of goals, history, health conditions, or how the body is responding
- Upsell without assessment: Being told that treatments you have never tried are mandatory in your package to “help you reach your goals faster” before anyone has evaluated whether those treatments are appropriate for you
- No before and after tracking, no measurements, no way to evaluate whether anything is actually working
- Providers who pressure, rush, or dismiss your questions do not deserve your business or your trust
The Body Lab Studio Difference: Choosing the "Ask for Evidence" Method
- All of our modalities are supported by published peer reviewed research, not just testimonials. We are transparent about the quality, scope, and current limitations of that evidence, and we update our protocols as the science evolves.
- Open and honest about how each treatment works, what a typical session and timeline looks like, what potential side effects or limitations exist, and what realistic outcomes look like for most people.
- We treat evidence based modalities as an investment in long term, meaningful change, not as aspirational extras.
- Every treatment plan includes tools to track and measure your progress: body scans, photos, and progress trackers matched to your specific goals. There is no evidence of change if you cannot see it and measure it.
- Our staff is focused on teaching and helping you understand, not on closing a sale. You should never feel pressured. If we cannot answer a question or provide supporting evidence, we say so.
Conclusion
Wellness is full of noise. New devices, trending protocols, and bold promises cycle through social media faster than any study can keep up with. The single most protective thing you can do for your time, money, and body is to ask for the evidence before you commit to anything.
At Body Lab Studio in Myrtle Beach, we built everything around that standard. Every modality we offer has published research behind it. Every protocol is designed to produce measurable results. Every session is supported by staff who can explain the why, not just sell you on the what.
You deserve more than hope and hype. You deserve a program that is built on science, tracked with data, and adjusted to what your body actually needs.
Book a free consultation, try our evidence based infrared and red light therapy system for yourself, or join us as a member of RESET Myrtle Beach and experience what it feels like when real science drives your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do these treatments take long to work?
Real, lasting, meaningful change rarely comes without at least 4 to 6 weeks of consistent, quality, evidence based care. Instant cure alls do not exist. Most clients begin noticing early indicators of progress within the first few weeks, but durable change in body composition, skin quality, or pain levels typically requires a committed protocol over several weeks.
2. Does that mean the treatments are generic?
Not at all. We use science backed methods tailored to your specific goals. Our job is not to do things to you or tell you what to do, but to support and guide you toward outcomes that are meaningful to you. Learn how we offer customized approaches for individual results, no matter what they are.
3. If it is all science backed, why are not more trends tried and true?
Many new ideas have not been fully tested or subjected to the rigors of published research, and many fads simply do not stand up to even basic scrutiny. At Body Lab Studio, our focus is on solid, peer reviewed research. If and when the science evolves, we evolve with it. You can trust us to follow the evidence, not the marketing cycle.
- Beever, R. (2009). Far infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors: Summary of published evidence. Canadian Family Physician, 55(7), 691 696. This narrative review included nine clinical trials and case series on the use of far infrared sauna therapy in adults with cardiovascular risk or chronic conditions. Studies covered 2 to 4 week use periods with 10 to 30 subjects per study. Results showed moderate evidence for lowered blood pressure and improved cardiac function, plus fair evidence for reduced pain and fatigue, with no serious adverse events reported. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2718593/
- Ramadan, F. (2024). Manual lymphatic drainage: the evidence behind the efficacy. British Journal of Community Nursing, 29(2), 83 84. This recent review summarizes clinical evidence from several trials involving up to 100 lymphedema patients, confirming manual lymphatic drainage improves limb swelling and has measurable recovery effects in weeks to months of regular treatment. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38300246/
- Jacob, C., Kent, D., and Ibrahim, O. (2021). Efficacy and safety of simultaneous application of HIFEM and synchronized radiofrequency for abdominal fat reduction and muscle toning: A multicenter magnetic resonance imaging evaluation study. Dermatologic Surgery, 47(7), 969 973. In this controlled study with 41 adults over 6 months, combined EMS and radiofrequency resulted in significant reductions in abdominal fat (30.8% at 3 months), muscle thickening (26.1%), and waist circumference, with high subject satisfaction and safety profile. https://www.ovid.com/jnls/dermatologicsurgery/pdf/10.1097/dss.0000000000003086
- Chang, P., Wiseman, J., Jacoby, T., Salisbury, A. V., and Ersek, R. A. (1998). Noninvasive mechanical body contouring: (Endermologie) a one year clinical outcome study update. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 22(2), 145 153. This year long prospective study included 85 subjects and demonstrated that LPG Endermologie provided measurable body circumference reductions and improvements in body shape with few side effects over the treatment period. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9502849/
- Oh, Y. J., Kang, J., et al. (2025). Effects of photobiomodulation on multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of randomized clinical trials. Systematic Reviews, 14, Article 45. This comprehensive review of dozens of clinical trials describes broad benefits of photobiomodulation (red and infrared light) for healing, pain, and function across several health areas, with study durations ranging from weeks to several months. https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-025-02902-3
