Health, wellness center opens, closes, reopens under new ownership

by Sue Serdinak

Richfield resident Hannah Hrouda was set to open a health and wellness center in Richfield three years ago, then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She put her plans on hold but revisited them in the fall of 2022 and opened Body Work Women’s Health & Wellness at 3807 Brecksville Rd.

Hrouda joined the Richfield Chamber of Commerce and scheduled a grand opening for Oct. 11. She offered massage therapy, nutrition guidance, fitness, yoga, childbirth and parent education classes. A chiropractor was scheduled to join the company shortly after the opening, but backed out in December.

Hrouda messaged chiropractor Dr. Mariah Southard, who practiced in Cuyahoga Falls, and offered to sell the entire practice to her. In January, Southard became the new owner and renamed the company BodyWork Chiropractic and Wellness.

Southard said negotiations were settled in two days, which felt like a sign. She said the facility is beautifully appointed, and its availability was a wonderful surprise.

Southard was an associate chiropractor for five years in Cuyahoga Falls. She is excited to have purchased the business. “This will be my first clinic that I own alone,” she said.

In addition to chiropractic care, BodyWork Chiropractic and Wellness offers massage therapy, personal training, nutrition guidance and life coaching.

Southard treats the whole family, from babies as young as three days old, children with sports injuries and adults.

She explained that babies are frequently born with a slight nerve impingement caused by tugging or pulling during childbirth. The impingement can lead to reflux and constipation for the baby.

Southard said she often treats elementary and middle school children for headaches related to leaning over to use their phones or laptops. She said older students often have sports injuries that can be treated with chiropractic adjustments.  

Southard promotes a healthy lifestyle with preventive and maintenance chiropractic treatments. She said adults often ask for chiropractic help for neck and lower back pain, but she can often help them in other areas. She encourages once a month maintenance treatments, which may include electric stimulation.  

Kara Schlegal, a personal trainer and health and wellness coach, works part-time at BodyWork. She offers fitness, nutrition and life coaching services for individuals and small groups.

Kara Figueroa, a massage therapist, takes appointments four days a week at BodyWork.

Southard said the facility is open Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday and Friday, 8 a.m.-noon, and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ∞

Dr. Maria Southard treats patients of
all ages at her new facility, BodyWork
Chiropractic and Wellness office. Photo
by S. Serdinak.
Hannah Hrouda,
holding her son
Weston, opened Body
Work Women’s Health
and Wellness in September
2022 and sold
the business in early
2023 to Dr. Maria
Southard. Photo by D.
Holland.