A Beginner’s Guide to Wellness Therapies With Reset’s Melissa Schrumpf. 

Detected Manipulations & Suggested Changes

Biased language

Use of consistently positive, value-laden wording that promotes one side without neutral qualifiers.

Examples include: - “the luxury Double Bay wellness studio is designed to ‘feel like a private residence’ where people can ‘come and reconnect and feel good about themselves’.” - “It’s pretty incredible what it can do for your body.” - “Ice baths are also amazing for balancing your stress hormones, improving your circulation and helping with inflammation. It also just helps with your overall mood.” - “Magnesium is an incredible mineral… It’s amazing for muscle recovery and pain relief… So it really does a lot. It’s also really incredible for reducing stress levels and helping with your sleep.” - “The number one benefit is supporting your respiratory health.” - “The salt cave is a really amazing space for breathwork…” - “They’re really great for recovery if you work out really hard or play sports. It’s also great pre- or post-flight.” - “Seriously, you need to try these showers!” This language frames the therapies as unquestionably positive and powerful, without acknowledging variability in outcomes or limits of evidence.

5 suggestions

Replace superlatives and promotional adjectives with neutral descriptions. For example, change “It’s pretty incredible what it can do for your body” to “Some studies suggest potential benefits for cardiovascular and nervous system health, though results can vary between individuals.”

Change “Ice baths are also amazing for balancing your stress hormones…” to “Ice baths may influence stress-related hormones, circulation and inflammation, according to some preliminary research and user reports.”

Change “Magnesium is an incredible mineral… It’s amazing for muscle recovery and pain relief” to “Magnesium is an essential mineral; topical use is commonly promoted for muscle recovery and pain relief, although evidence for topical absorption and effects is mixed.”

Change “The number one benefit is supporting your respiratory health” to “A commonly cited potential benefit is supporting respiratory health, particularly for people with certain conditions, though more rigorous research is needed.”

Remove imperative promotional phrases like “Seriously, you need to try these showers!” or rephrase as “Some guests report that these showers feel noticeably different due to the filtration and vitamin C infusion.”

Unsubstantiated claims

Statements presented as fact or near-fact without adequate evidence, citations, or acknowledgment of uncertainty.

Numerous health claims are made without sources or with only vague references: - “It’s pretty incredible what it can do for your body. There are recent Finnish studies that suggest saunas can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and dementia.” (No specific studies, populations, or limitations mentioned.) - “Ice baths are also amazing for balancing your stress hormones, improving your circulation and helping with inflammation. It also just helps with your overall mood.” (No evidence or qualifiers.) - “Magnesium is an incredible mineral that’s best applied topically through your skin, which makes it perfect for bathing.” (The claim that it is “best applied topically” is controversial and not established.) - “It’s amazing for muscle recovery and pain relief. It helps with circulation and reduces inflammation. It is great for hydration and can help to soothe skin conditions like acne or eczema or psoriasis.” (Multiple therapeutic claims without evidence or caveats.) - “Some people find vitamin C helps with brightening their complexion, evening their skin tone, assisting with collagen production and strengthening and softening hair, skin and nails.” (Presented as a general benefit of the shower, not clearly separated as anecdotal.) - “The number one benefit is supporting your respiratory health. Inhaling the salt particles can help with asthma, it can help with allergies, it can help with colds. It can also help with skin health and problems like acne…” (Strong therapeutic claims for halotherapy that are not well-established.) - “They way they work is by increasing and decreasing air pressure to help with blood flow and reduce swelling, muscle pain and inflammation.” (Compression therapy benefits are asserted without nuance or evidence.) - “A lot of people look for help when they’re lacking energy, can’t sleep properly or they’ve been sick a lot. So the infusion might be high dose of vitamin C, magnesium, B12… something bespoke just for you.” (Implied that IV therapy will help with these issues, without discussing evidence, risks, or medical guidelines.)

5 suggestions

Add explicit sourcing and qualifiers. For example: “Some Finnish observational studies have found associations between frequent sauna use and lower rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke and dementia, but these do not prove that saunas directly cause these reductions.”

Rephrase strong claims as possibilities or user experiences: change “Ice baths are also amazing for balancing your stress hormones…” to “Ice baths are often promoted for potential effects on stress-related hormones, circulation and inflammation; some users report mood improvements, though research is still developing.”

Modify the magnesium claim to: “Magnesium is an essential mineral. Some practitioners advocate topical application (such as in baths), but evidence on how well it is absorbed through the skin and its specific benefits is limited.”

For halotherapy, change to: “Halotherapy is marketed as potentially supporting respiratory and skin health. Some users with asthma, allergies or colds report subjective relief, but robust clinical evidence is limited and it should not replace medical treatment.”

For IV therapy, add: “IV vitamin therapy is a medical procedure that carries risks (such as infection or vein irritation) and is not universally recommended for otherwise healthy people. Evidence for benefits in people without specific deficiencies is limited; individuals should consult their doctor.”

Appeal to authority

Relying on the perceived expertise or status of a person or institution instead of presenting evidence.

The article relies almost entirely on the co-owner’s voice as the authority on health effects: - “For Melissa Schrumpf, welcoming customers to Reset is just like welcoming guests into her home. As creative director – and co-owner… Melissa says…” - All detailed explanations of benefits (for saunas, ice baths, magnesium baths, halotherapy, LED therapy, compression therapy, IV therapy) are framed as what Melissa says or believes, without independent expert input. - “Our saunas are traditional – the same as the Finnish use…” implicitly invokes Finnish tradition as a marker of legitimacy. - “IV therapy is administered by our in-house registered nurse.” The nurse’s credential is used to imply safety and effectiveness, but no independent medical perspective or evidence is provided.

4 suggestions

Include independent expert commentary (e.g., a physician, physiotherapist, or researcher) to contextualize claims, discuss evidence quality, and note limitations or risks.

Clarify when statements are personal or business opinions: e.g., “Melissa believes that…” or “Many clients report that…” instead of presenting them as general facts.

Avoid implying that tradition alone validates efficacy. For example, change “Magnesium baths channel ancient wellness methods like you’d find in Japanese or Hungarian bathhouses” to “Magnesium baths are inspired by traditional bathhouse practices; while many people enjoy them, their specific health benefits are still being studied.”

For IV therapy, add a note such as: “While a registered nurse administers the infusions, medical organizations differ on the routine use of IV vitamin therapy in otherwise healthy individuals.”

Oversimplification

Reducing complex medical or physiological issues to simple cause-effect claims without nuance.

Several passages present complex health outcomes as straightforward results of single interventions: - “Just putting your body in that extreme heat, and learning how to breathe through it, can settle your fight-or-flight response. It can also help with relaxation, stress relief and muscle pain.” (Nervous system regulation and chronic stress are complex and multifactorial.) - “When you do contrast therapy (hot and cold immersion), it triggers your fight-or-flight response. But as you learn to manage it, it starts triggering your parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes rest-and-digest, which then promotes calm and aids digestion.” (Suggests a simple, linear mechanism and guaranteed outcome.) - “Magnesium is an incredible mineral that’s best applied topically through your skin, which makes it perfect for bathing.” (Oversimplifies magnesium pharmacokinetics and ignores dietary intake and medical supplementation.) - “The number one benefit is supporting your respiratory health. Inhaling the salt particles can help with asthma, it can help with allergies, it can help with colds.” (Oversimplifies respiratory conditions and implies broad benefit.) - “They way they work is by increasing and decreasing air pressure to help with blood flow and reduce swelling, muscle pain and inflammation.” (Compression therapy effects are more nuanced and condition-dependent.)

5 suggestions

Add nuance and conditional language. For example, change “can settle your fight-or-flight response” to “may help some people feel calmer and more relaxed, potentially influencing stress responses.”

For contrast therapy, rephrase as: “Contrast therapy is thought to stimulate both sympathetic and parasympathetic responses; some people report feeling calmer and experiencing digestive benefits, but responses vary and research is ongoing.”

Clarify that magnesium can be obtained in multiple ways: “Magnesium is an essential mineral usually obtained through diet or supplements. Some people also use topical products or baths, though evidence on their effectiveness is mixed.”

For halotherapy, add: “People with asthma or allergies should consult their doctor before trying halotherapy, and should not stop prescribed treatments.”

For compression therapy, specify: “Compression devices can support circulation and reduce swelling in some contexts (for example, in sports recovery or certain medical conditions), but they are not a cure-all and may not be appropriate for everyone.”

Omission of key information

Leaving out relevant context such as risks, limitations, costs, or alternative views that would help readers make an informed judgment.

The article omits important balancing information: - No mention of potential risks or contraindications for saunas (e.g., for people with certain heart conditions, low blood pressure, pregnancy) or ice baths (e.g., cardiovascular risk, shock, Raynaud’s, etc.). - No discussion of the limited or mixed evidence base for halotherapy, LED light therapy for systemic benefits, topical magnesium, or IV vitamin therapy in otherwise healthy individuals. - No mention that IV therapy is a medical procedure with possible side effects (infection, vein irritation, electrolyte imbalance) and that mainstream medical bodies are cautious about its routine use. - No cost information or acknowledgment that these are premium services, which could influence accessibility and expectations. - No skeptical or neutral perspective is presented; all claims are from the business owner and framed positively.

5 suggestions

Add brief risk and contraindication notes for each therapy. For example: “People with cardiovascular conditions, low blood pressure, or who are pregnant should consult a doctor before using saunas or ice baths.”

Include a sentence on evidence quality for each modality: e.g., “Evidence for halotherapy’s effectiveness is limited and more high-quality studies are needed.”

For IV therapy, add: “IV infusions carry risks such as infection or vein irritation and are not necessary for most people who can obtain nutrients through diet. Discuss with your GP before booking.”

Include at least one independent expert quote or reference that provides a more cautious or neutral view on wellness therapies in general.

Clarify that experiences vary: “While many guests report positive experiences, results can differ from person to person, and these therapies are not a substitute for medical treatment.”

Selective use of sources / Cherry-picking

Highlighting supportive information while ignoring conflicting or less favorable evidence.

The only external evidence mentioned is supportive: - “There are recent Finnish studies that suggest saunas can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and dementia.” No mention that these are observational, that confounding factors may exist, or that not all studies agree. - No mention of studies that question or find limited benefits for halotherapy, IV vitamin therapy in healthy individuals, or topical magnesium. - The article does not reference any guidelines from medical organizations that might be more cautious about some of these therapies.

4 suggestions

When citing Finnish sauna studies, add: “These are observational studies, so they show associations rather than proving that saunas directly cause these health outcomes.”

Acknowledge mixed evidence: “Research on halotherapy and IV vitamin therapy is mixed and often limited; some studies show potential benefits, while others find little effect.”

Include at least one reference or paraphrased position from a reputable health body (e.g., a national health service or medical association) on therapies like IV vitamin infusions or red light therapy.

Explicitly state that the article focuses on one studio’s offerings and does not represent a comprehensive scientific review of these treatments.

Appeal to emotion

Using emotional framing to persuade rather than inform.

The article repeatedly appeals to feelings of comfort, luxury, and belonging: - “welcoming customers to Reset is just like welcoming guests into her home.” - “designed to ‘feel like a private residence’ where people can ‘come and reconnect and feel good about themselves’.” - Descriptions of spaces emphasize calm, relaxation, and sensory appeal (e.g., eucalyptus-infused steam, Himalayan salt cave, Bluetooth speakers for meditation) more than evidence. - “They walk out feeling really relaxed and people have told me their sleep is amazing afterwards.” - “Seriously, you need to try these showers!” These emotional cues encourage positive associations and desire to participate, beyond neutral information.

4 suggestions

Retain experiential descriptions but clearly separate them from health claims. For example: “Many guests describe the space as calming and homelike; these are subjective experiences and may vary.”

Avoid imperative language like “you need to try” and instead use neutral phrasing such as “Guests can try…” or “Some visitors particularly enjoy…”.

When citing anecdotal outcomes (e.g., better sleep), label them clearly: “Some clients report improved sleep after sessions, though these are personal experiences and not clinical evidence.”

Balance emotional appeals with factual context and limitations so readers can distinguish marketing language from information.

Clickbait / Promotional framing

Structuring content primarily to promote a product or contest rather than to provide balanced information.

The article ends with a strong promotional call and contest: - “Log in or join Broadsheet Access today and enter to win a huge wellness and recovery package from Reset worth $3925. You can also learn more about our exclusive member events, discounts and fab giveaways.” - Detailed listing of the giveaway package and its value. This positions the piece as branded or advertorial content, which is not clearly labeled as such in the body, and may influence how benefits are presented (all positive, no downsides).

4 suggestions

Clearly label the piece as sponsored content or advertorial if applicable, so readers understand the commercial context.

Separate the informational section from the promotional section visually and with headings (e.g., “About the therapies” vs. “Promotional offer”).

In the informational section, maintain a more neutral tone and include limitations and risks, even if a promotion follows.

Reduce promotional adjectives in the contest description (e.g., “huge wellness and recovery package”, “fab giveaways”) or clearly mark them as marketing language.

Confirmation bias / Echo chamber

Presenting only information that supports a positive view of wellness therapies, reinforcing existing beliefs without challenge.

The article: - Only quotes the co-owner of the wellness studio, who has a clear commercial and ideological interest in promoting these therapies. - Includes no skeptical voices, no mention of people who did not benefit, and no discussion of when these therapies might not be appropriate. - Frames all modalities as beneficial and desirable, which can reinforce readers’ pre-existing positive attitudes toward wellness trends without exposing them to critical perspectives.

4 suggestions

Include at least one independent expert who can discuss where evidence is strong, weak, or absent, and who can outline appropriate use cases and limitations.

Mention that not everyone experiences the same benefits and that some people may not notice significant changes.

Encourage readers to consult healthcare professionals for medical issues rather than relying solely on wellness therapies.

Explicitly state that the article reflects the perspective of a wellness studio and is not a comprehensive medical guide.