The Intersection of Star Culture in America and International Medical Tourism by Jackson Kathy Merlock;Payne Lisa Lyon;Stolley Kathy Shepherd;

Author:Jackson, Kathy Merlock;Payne, Lisa Lyon;Stolley, Kathy Shepherd;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: undefined
Publisher: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
Published: 2012-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Clinicians and Celebrity Clientele

Kulish describes Wehling as a “father of two [who] plays keyboards in two hands, one jazz and one blues, giving off the vibe of a goofy-cool uncle, a little too enthusiastic to be completely hip” (Kulish). Conversations often use the word “exciting” (Kulish). Wehling completed his medical studies in the early 1980s, establishing his medical practice in Düsseldorf where he specializes in molecular orthopedics and molecular medicine. Along his journey, he founded a biotech company, completed a doctoral dissertation at the University of Düsseldorf, acted as chief physician at the Düsseldorf University Hospital Orthopaedic Clinic and later at the Neurosurgery Clinic in Osnabrück, and been appointed as professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (“Prof. Dr.”).

Wehling works with US physician Dr. Chris Renna, his co-author on The End of Pain, a book that chronicles their treatment approach and the journey of its development and their collaboration. Renna founded LifeSpan medicine in 1992 focusing on integrative functional medicine for optimal health and wellness. LifeSpan has an office on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, California, and another in Dallas, Texas. His California practice serves a number of celebrity clients. Renna is the personal physician of Oliver Stone. He consulted on Any Given Sunday (1999) and has appeared in several of Stone’s movies, including JFK (1991) (Carroll). After learning of Wehling’s work from a Dallas orthopedist, Renna himself traveled to Düsseldorf and underwent a procedure to alleviate arthritis problems he was experiencing in his left hip as a result of an old lacrosse injury. Renna’s wife also underwent treatment on her knees. The results they experienced made Renna want to work with Wehling to “help free people from pain—not just in my own practice, but all around the world” (Wehling and Renna 48–49).

Medical tourists visiting the Düsseldorf clinic make up a veritable “Who’s Who” list of high-profile names. One patient was a Saudi prince (Wehling and Renna). Former Viacom CEO Tom Freston was able to put away his cane after he underwent treatment for a herniated disc at Wehling’s clinic. The recommendation came from Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel: “You’ve got to get on the next plane to Düsseldorf” (qtd. in Graham). Jeff Kwatinetz, president of production company Prospect Park, made the trip to Germany (Kulish), as did Manhattan art gallery owner Marianne Boesky, who called the treatment “life altering” (Newman). Willie Nelson, recommended by George Clooney, tried the treatment after a rotator cuff injury, saying, “It really works. I’m in great shape” (qtd. in “Rolling Stone”). Word about the clinic spread in the professional golf world. Fred Couples was in so much pain that he thought he might not continue to play before undergoing treatment. Afterwards, he attributed his 2011 PGA Senior Player Championship to Wehling’s treatment (Claiborne and Loyd; Murray). Wes Short, Jr., sought out Wehling after learning that he had treated the Pope, saying “I’m sure [the Pope] doesn’t trust just anybody” (qtd. in Kulish). Vijay Singh raved about the treatments: “The results are incredible. It’s like somebody just put oil all over your body.

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