by Raiza Giorgi

Besides having opportunities to get outside year round for various healthy living activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and skiing or snowboarding, the Wood River Valley has access to some amazing healthcare professionals to keep your whole body and mind in shape.

Hyperbarics of Sun Valley was founded by local firefighter, EMT and retired Navy diver, Phil Rainey. Railey is a certified Hyperbaric Technician and knowns first-hand about the health benefits of hyperbaric treatments.

“I brought hyperbarics to the community because people here appreciate a more holistic approach to health. It’s non-addictive and drug-free, and if it helps cure the body, that’s a good place to start,” Rainey said.

The non-invasive method of administering pure oxygen at greater than atmospheric pressure helps patients improve or correct certain conditions, everything from decompression sickness, skin infections, to reducing swelling and inflammation from surgery, to helping with the growth of new blood vessels and enhancing collagen and new tissue. Hyperbarics of Sun Valley is a stand alone facility of it’s kind in Idaho.

PeakFit offers one-on-one to group sessions.

“We live in an area where there are many great outdoor activities, but if you don’t have your health, you don’t have a good life,” said Emily Knowles, co-owner and trainer at PeakFit Sun Valley. 

Knowles and her co-owner Zack Taylor opened PeakFit in February of 2022 and work with people of all ages and abilities stay in shape and achieve fitness goals. 

“We teach people more than just exercise, but work on nutrition and sleep schedules because it all works together to keep your body in good condition,” Knowles said. 

Knowles told a story about a client that came in because her knees were popping and giving out on hikes. After testing came back with no obvious issues, Knowles started with basic movements and over time with increasing weights and balance work, her client was just suffering from a lack of strength training. 

“The popping stopped and she is now feeling amazing, picking up cross country skiing and snowshoeing this past winter,” Knowles said. 

She added that people often do the same exercises and sometimes get scared to branch out to other styles like weight lifting and cardio. 

“People want to ski and hike into their 90’s here and that’s great, but without cross training in various activities your body expects it. It’s important to enhance all areas of fitness,” she said. 

PeakFit Sun Valley offers one-on-one sessions as well as small group sessions. For more information visit www.peakfitsv.com, or visit their training facility at 141 N. Main St. in Hailey. 

Aside from fitness, there are other great facilities in the Wood River Valley that help with healthy living, such as Dr. Maria Maricich ‘The Wellness Doctor’. Born and raised in Sun Valley, she went on to become the top American downhill ski racer in 1983 and 1984. At one point ranked #10 in the world, she raced in the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo. 

She became interested in any modalities that could maximize her health potential. She found that nutrition, mental attitude and physical wellbeing were all necessary factors. Maricich chose chiropractic and now leverages her experience, knowledge an education to bring highly effective strategies for improving health to her clients at her practice in Ketchum. Her office is located at 131 4th St E, Suite 310, and learn more about her services at www.drmariamaricich.com. 

The Sun Valley Wellness Institute is a local nonprofit that inspires positive change through education in diverse mind, body, spiritual wellness. Even though they are pausing their annual Sun Valley Wellness Festival for 2023, they are planning for a speaker series as well as in-depth weekend wellness workshops. Visit their website at www.sunvalleywellness.org to get on their newsletter for announcements.

Sanctuary Medical Message and Bodywork in Hailey uses therapeutic massage, assisted stretching, neuromuscular therapy, lymphatic drainage and more to help clients of all types. Appointments can be booked by calling 208-471-4883 or www.thesanctuarysv.com.

To find a complete list of Health and Wellness providers in the Wood River Valley, visit www.valleychamber.org and search under the Business Directory section.