Essential Wellness Solutions Gets to the Root of Health Issues

A health and wellness store has been a fixture in downtown Plymouth for years, and last December Jennifer Criddle bought the shop to continue offering health and wellness products, as well as expand services aimed at helping people enjoy optimal health.

For nearly 25 years, Criddle worked as a registered nurse in the greater Marshall County area. Most of her work took place in a hospital setting, and now she is delighted to expand her services as a holistic health and wellness coach.

Criddle describes her approach as “holistic, because I meet with people and listen to their concerns. If your body is telling you something is not right, then together we can explore an extensive health history to pinpoint the cause of not feeling well.” This customized approach sets her apart from other health care providers, because she focuses on exploring lifestyle changes tailored to a person’s needs that can lead to improved health.

As a health and wellness coach, Criddle recognizes the value of both medical and holistic health management. She can order lab services such as blood work and functional medicine labs, which can aid in ruling out suspected medical issues. Criddle’s priority is getting to the root cause of a person’s health concern. “Maybe the answer is more testing, maybe supplements, and maybe it’s centered in lifestyle such as food allergy,” she says. “All of these efforts fall under the umbrella of functional medicine to better understand and resolve health issues.”

Coaching is a pattern of re-evaluating and adjusting, in partnership with the person facing health concerns, to determine the core origin of a health issue. Criddle keeps the conversation going until the health issue is resolved. Criddle evaluates a person’s specific needs and, when appropriate, refers to the right professional. For example, in a scenario where a person is experiencing trauma, Criddle can make a referral to a specialized trauma coach. Helping people means using all the resources available. “I am eager to explore ways to collaborate with doctors and other practitioners in the area,” she says.

Criddle also describes her coaching as a “preventative approach to wellness by narrowing in on health concerns before they become more serious.” Preventative care includes nutrition, and customers will find a wide array of vitamins and other dietary supplements, as well as body care products. The health and wellness store offers services designed to promote good health, including massage therapy to target muscle tension, and thermography, which measures the body’s temperature sensitivity and can indicate inflammation related to disease.

Criddle’s nurturing nature comes naturally as a mom and grandmother herself. She welcomes the change from the frenetic pace of being a hospital registered nurse, and finds interacting with customers a fulfilling opportunity to discuss health concerns. “Someone may come in looking for a product, and through thoughtful conversation could end up a client I am able to coach down a path of feeling better,” she says.

Health and wellness coaching begins with a 15-minute discovery session, followed by a one-hour, deep-dive discussion. She encourages monthly maintenance visits, offered at $50 per month. Anyone under her coaching receives a 10% discount off nutritional supplements.

Essential Wellness Solutions is located at 121 West Garro Street in Plymouth. To learn more about services and coaching, contact Criddle at 574-540-2549 or at wellness.essentials6@gmail.com.