Mindful Medicine

From herbal tea to acupuncture, ancient healing practices make perfect.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture

Now an astounding $30 billion industry in the U.S. alone — and poised to top $200 billion in the next decade — alternative medicine is soaring in popularity. Unsurprisingly, holistic havens are popping up all over Houston, offering modernized, accessible takes on ancient healing practices.


Husband-wife team and doctor duo Mahyar and Hannah Badrei founded Mizu (5161 San Felipe St., ste. 120), a Japanese-inspired “integrated medicine clinic” in Uptown, combining their traditional medicine background with a whole-body approach to wellness. At Mizu, patients supplement the clinic’s wellness exams and routine medical services with nutritional advice, cognitive behavioral therapy and herbal medicine. “We’re definitely still experiencing marked excitement and interest around our services,” says Mahyar, who believes that integrative medicine is the future. It’s a belief supported by data from the CDC’s most recent National Health Interview Survey, indicating that more than a third of U.S. adults already utilize complementary approaches in their healthcare.

Mizu also offers flotation therapy, which has skyrocketed in popularity in the past year. The sensory-deprivation float pods provide deeply calming cocoons that decompress the body, reducing musculoskeletal stress and allowing for meditative relaxation. Post-treatment, sip artisanal blended herbal teas, formulated with active ingredients to support the body’s immune system and help with issues relating to sleep, anxiety and energy.

Get your relaxation on in Midtown, too. Brand new Healing Waters (504 W. Gray St., ste A) is the latest addition to the float-spa craze. Here, the therapy is inspired by the bath houses of Budapest. Step into a stone-and-wood cabin and immerse yourself in specially filtered Himalayan saltwater, calibrated to the body’s temperature, for 90 minutes. The solar-powered facility uses organic spa products and linens, ensuring a minimal impact on the environment and a pure experience for guests.

Down the street, just-opened Modern Acupuncture (2021 W. Gray St.) is living up to its name, bringing a 3,000-year-old practice into the mainstream. Unlike traditional acupuncture, Modern’s distal needling can be administered without the removal of clothing, making it a convenient way to access the same full-body benefits. Among symptoms treated are general aches and chronic pain, anxiety and stress, and even fertility. In addition, Modern offers a natural approach to targeting fine lines and stimulating collagen through its cosmetic acupuncture.

The national concept offers member plans, which make sessions more affordable and encourage regular treatment. “We are still so amazed at the effectiveness of this alternative medicine,” says Lance O’Pry, owner of the River Oaks location, who credits acupuncture for helping him and his wife conceive their second child. “Our ultimate goal is to make acupuncture accessible to our community, and growing demand means we’ll be opening around 20 more locations in the Houston area.”

Wellness+Giving Back
Meet Brian Boyter, New High-End Residential Broker with an Unique Background

BRIAN BOYTER IS a Houston native with an interesting background in real estate. After an impressive 16-year tenure managing commercial transactions in a Fortune 500 Real Estate Investment Trust, he recently made the shift to high-end residential brokerage. The experience left him uniquely suited to thrive in the sometimes-emotional world of buying or selling a home.

Keep Reading Show less

CHANGE IS A good thing, and with the start of a new year, I always like to reflect on how far I've come and start fresh by setting self-care goals for the coming months. Personal growth is a passion for me, and also something I enjoy. Guiding a business through growth and change is also one of my passions, so I am very pleased to announce that Escape Spa is going to be expanding in 2025! We’re honored that we’ve built such a loyal following since opening in Cypress in July of 2022, and we’re thrilled to be in a position to grow our wellness and recovery sanctuary just outside of Houston.

Keep Reading Show less

photo by Chris Nguyen

THE OWNERS BEHIND two of the Heights' most beloved nightlife destinations are teaming up to bring the neighborhood a new hangout.

Keep Reading Show less
Food