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I recently enjoyed a wee break to Portugal – bear with me, this far from a holiday brag – and as I always do, I booked in for some much needed rest and relaxation at the resort spa. I am a desk bound, slave to the keyboard and as my regular masseuse will confirm, I carry my stress, tension and possibly the weight of the world in my very tight shoulders.
This year my usual tightness has been growing rapidly worse and whether it’s my age (I’m not one for blaming everything on wear and tear but every professional I speak to comments on the trials and tribulations of women over 40!) or twenty years of writing press releases finally taking its toll but tight shoulders have merged into a sore back and weird sensations in my arm. I told you it was far from a brag!
As is the way with us busy / stubborn people I have persevered and done little more than setting a timer on my phone so I would remember to get up and a have a wee walk and invested in stand-sit desks so my poor old spine would be given a break from getting squished.
However, my holiday masseuse (do check out the girls at ESTÉTICA in Quinta Do Lago if you’re ever down that way) - was appalled at my general ‘ach well’ and advised that I get checked out by an osteopath on my return. Her thoughts were that my alignment needed corrected and that this was the best way to do that.
I have, of course, heard of osteopathy but I’ve always wondered exactly what it was used for in the growing world of ‘alternative’ medicines. Osteopathy is a manual therapy which looks at how the body’s anatomical structure governs its function - when this relationship breaks down, the result is often pain. Osteopathy treats all aspects of the body to restore normal function by massage, joint manipulation, stretching and cranial work.
Osteopathy can help loads of conditions:
So, full of optimism I booked in for an appointment at The Althos Clinic who came highly recommended and who displayed all the appropriate qualifications that anyone looking outwith traditional NHS medicine would want to see. Check out the Osteopathy Website for more details on what to look for here.
The Althos Clinic was established in Perth in 1983 by well-known Osteopathic and Acupuncture practitioner Boyd Mackenzie. The clinic grew in popularity and as a forward-thinking man, Boyd knew that in this fast paced world we are all now part of, the desire for alternative therapies that could help combat the madness and pressures of modern life. As such, he grew his services by inviting other holistic and traditional practitioners to join him at his Kinnoull Causeway clinic.
Unfortunately, Boyd died in 2009 but keen to keep his vision growing his son Kitt ensured the practitioners, therapists and clients a continued space which has grown exactly as Boyd had set out to do.
The clinic has been managed by Sheila Ferguson for over 29 years. Sheila came as a patient 30 years ago and never left; little did she know she would become such an integral part of the place.
However, Sheila is due to retire later this year and so she has now passed the baton on to Carole Reid, a podiatrist and practitioner at The Althos Clinic. I met with Carole to chat about the standards and ethos behind the clinic and as I stepped into the bright, airy reception I was struck by how unlike a ‘clinic’ this was! Big sofas, lush green plants and magazines while you wait, this is definitely more day spa than dentist!
“The idea isn’t to make you feel as though you’re in the doctor’s waiting room! We want people to feel relaxed and welcome as that helps them feel comfortable before stepping into the treatment rooms for their session. There are a number of practitioners now and although we all do different things and offer various services, the common thread is quality of experience. We know our Althos people are fully qualified and come with the relevant experience and skills to make a difference in the lives of our clients.”
I explain what’s going on with me and she agrees an osteopath appointment would be a good idea. I book in with Cai Elias-Schofield, a graduate of the European School of Osteopathy where he completed his four year training and gained registration to the General Osteopathic Council. He is also a member of the British Osteopathic Association and is registered with the Association of Physical and Natural Therapists.
I am a little apprehensive; all I really know about osteopaths is that they crack your back. However, my stand and sit desk hasn’t been the miracle I’d hoped for and so here I am telling a man I barely know about my hormones, my aches and my general wellbeing. The initial consultation is reassuring, and his knowledge of the human body is staggering! He explains why people keep telling me my aches ‘are just my age’ – turns out it is relevant but that doesn’t mean you need to put up with it! – and, as predicted, why sitting all day for twenty years has almost certainly led to this!
After the initial consultation, I removed my top (he was very attentive in ensuring I was comfortable with this and you should find the same to be true of any practitioner you go and see.) Cai asked me to make simple movements and stretches while he observed my back, shoulders, arms and mobility.
He explained the odd sensations in my arm were likely to be caused by a trapped nerve in my neck and not actually localised to my hand or arm at all. Because of the body’s structure, pain or stiffness you are experiencing in one part may be linked to a problem elsewhere.
He also examined the health of the joints, tissues and ligaments using palpation which is a highly developed sense of touch. The treatment itself is more small manipulation movements and once I was lying down. Cai used his entire body to work with my arms, joints and in turn, my neck and back.
This is NOTHING like a massage, and at first I am a little surprised at how much of his own energy is going into my treatment. It is, however, quite relaxing (I do like a firm massage that works your muscles though, so those used to more soothing treatments will find this even more alien – in a good way!) and I am almost in a mindful moment when he asks if I’d like my neck cracked. I decide to go for it – nothing ventured, nothing gained.
He holds my head firmly between his hands and gives me a good, quick twist. I can feel it ripple down my spine and it is glorious. There is a release of tension and an oddly satisfying sensation of having been loosened off! Cai explains you can sometimes feel a bit sore the next day but I’m okay and in fact, I am loving fact that my shoulders resemble something connected to a human being again. If you’ve been thinking about going along, then my recommendation is to just do it – you’re made to feel comfortable and at ease every step of the way and I just taking control of your own health is a step in the right direction.
Such was my raving about Althos, that Holly in the SCBP office finally took the plunge and booked in for an acupuncture facial. She’s a bit of a beauty treatment junkie our Holly and has been looking at this very new relaxation technique for a wee while.
Here’s what she had to say!
“I have always been intrigued by complementary therapies and their effectiveness but I’ve never really had the motivation to actually book something and try it out. Nicki’s chattering convinced me now was the time to go and dip my toes into the complementary therapy world.
I’ve been looking at the acupuncture facials as I’m curious as to how you gain ‘clear skin’ results. I was encouraged after doing some research online as people seemed to be raving about the effects including all the swanky London clinics who are jumping on board with it. Keen to come out with my eyes sparkling and skin glowing, I booked in for a Thursday afternoon to get me ready for the weekend.
When I turned up I was welcomed by the lovely Kirsten who took me into the treatment room. It had a spa like feel and I was greeted with a sweet aromatherapy smell so I instantly felt relaxed. I sat down and Kirsten asked me to fill out my contact details on the clipboard and we discussed my health issues and what I’d like her to focus on throughout the treatment. I explained that my sinuses are often stuffy and my skin could probably do with being balanced as it is dry, oily, sensitive and just downright annoying.
After a brief explanation as to what acupuncture does and what she was going to do, she got the bed ready and asked that I take my jeans off as they looked too tight to roll up. Why did I have to take my jeans off I wondered? I thought this would be solely focussed on my face. Well, as it turns out the energy channels run throughout your body and the needles are inserted throughout these channels from your feet to your head to help release any blockages within your ‘energy flow.’ When she announced that she was going to put the first needle into the top of my foot I instantly tensed up, however, it didn’t hurt at all and I didn’t flinch as the rest went in.
Once she had inserted a few needles in my feet, legs, wrists, hands, ears and face she advised me that shewas going to leave me to relax for 20 minutes but would come back and check how I was getting on.
I lay on the bed with the soothing music in the background and did my best not to look down at any of the needles in case I freaked out! After a few minutes thinking about what I was having for my tea and that this was all a bit strange and surreal I decided to really embrace it and focus on relaxing andnot being distracted by my thoughts. I shut my eyes and I really began to feel relaxed - I even got that wee hand/foot twitch you get when you’re about to fall asleep!
Kirsten came in after 20minutes and advised she would leave me for another 5/10 minutes as I was ok. When she came backand took the needles out I had actually forgotten where they all were and I really felt relaxed and refreshed.
On arriving home, I had a shower and I really felt like my skin was smoother all over. I was really chilled out and although I wasn’t sure if this was down to the fact that I had lay for 30 minutes and relaxed without being distracted by my phone or daily life, or if it was down to the needles it didn’t really matter. It had actually worked!
I’m a massive over-thinker and really struggle to relax so I am more inclined to think that the acupuncture played a big part in my results. My friends and family have also commented on how good I look and have asked what foundation I’m using because I am glowing! Needless to say I’m booking another appointment!”
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SCBP23rd May 2016
Perthshire's only online magazine