Today I was treated to a shiatsu massage at The Healthy life centre, I was a little nervous because…read moreit was kind of out of my comfort zone and not somewhere I would normally go but I was made to feel welcomed and comfortable as soon as I walked through the door! The shiatsu massage itself was unbelievable and I plan on making it a monthly treat, it's so worth it!

I've never been one for being organised in my personal life. Making appointments or reservations?…read moreNever! I like to be spontaneous. Yesterday's inspiration was reiki, something I've been wanting to try for a long time. A friend of mine had her life turned around be reiki, and it's been a source of curiosity for me ever since. I was determined that yesterday would be the day I would find out if it was really all that life changing, but finding reiki somewhere at short notice proved to be almost impossible - until I found The Healthy Life Centre. The Healthy Life Centre is like being in my mum's house, but with more healing music and quieter people - it's definitely not an upmarket salon type experience. However, it is cosy, warm and soothing, which are all the ingredients you need for a massage/reiki/healing experience. My reiki (master?), Sam, was lovely, and set me, the newbie up very comfortably. I had to admit, I don't know if I like reiki after yesterday or find it lifechanging, but it did produce some interesting results - some of the questions asked at the end, and locations of problematic energy pointed to things that I didn't discuss, so I'm always a little impressed at that - and gives me a little reason to believe magic still exists in the world. I'll definitely go back again.

I left Castle Craig two years ago, I went on to the aftercare programme which is online and also…read morecame back for the reunion this summer. I can only recommend Castle Craig as the best rehab (having been to a couple of others in England) I wish I had come straight here the first time round. But I appreciate that addiction recovery is a journey and most of us relapse along the way. The care here was second to none, thank you Jess, Ross, Duncan and team!

I arrived and the detox was hell on earth I dont feel that castle craig are experienced nor…read moresympathetic toward users of heroin they seemed clueless to be honest and the detox is their way or the highway with bupomorphine or nothing I experienced 4 days of hell and in 2 days had received a 2mg of bupamorphine (didn't touch the sides) i advised that previous tries of this were unsuccessful for me and that this didn't agree with me it made me ill regardless of detox or not iv always had a reaction. It took me 3 days to finally receive 10ml of methadone but the 3 days prior I received 2mgs alone. They also use colonidine to take the edge off this is useless its clear its all about costing and you receive the cheapest possible medication, I have received a stronger detox in police custody and more sympathetic. Finally I felt.slightly better once integrated into the community and met my therapist and started the step work and you embrace it but on reflection there's no TV no phones no books outwith what they provide so ofcourse ur stimulated mentally by the step programme because of not there's nothing else at all so its a mind trick and it works because there is nothing else to do or discuss ur days ar 12 to 14 hours of it. Therapy is meant to be a massive part and it should be however therapists focus on step work not psychology and most therapy is group work so individually you dont really receive the direct therapy alot of us require and when you do have ur therapist appts they either cancel or blatantly ignore the days and times given. The community run the day to day saving wages and the money is ploughed into therapists salaries however they are never available they dont keep appointments etc. I had to have medication same time every morning however it was at a time of a lecture and if I did finish early enough there's a team meeting no regard that you are withdrawing and in pain its just tough luck however YOU must be on time. Still i went with it and actually got my head into it feeling positive and doing the work I won't lie it helped a little to feel emotions etc again and learn small skills but its the community other patients who heal you. Then I had a tooth begin to fall out a front tooth hanging by the nerve and the root the pain was unbearable I asked for pain relief and was given clove oil each time I took matters into my own hands and took cocodamol I had in my handbag that they didn't find searching and I didn't know initially I had however I found them early on into my stay and hadn't taken them. Initially I had asked a friend to bring some painkillers they wouldn't and remembered I had 7 pr 9 cocodamol, next morning went for medication received it and was drug tested therapists and even housekeeping staff couldn't have made it more obvious something was going on that day arousing my suspicion more that this wasn't random testing then came the sniffer dog in a select few rooms, it failed to find any illegal substances or the cocodamol but I was asked if I had drugs dropped.off and told them no but I had cocodamol I took for toothache handed the remaining tablets over instantly. From that moment onward I was treated like a petulant child i was supervised packing an overnight bag removed and put into the detox unit with 4 walls as entertainment as well as the parting words of my therapist saying that this was really bad and she would see me the following morning with an outcome but its really bad. The tone the treatment etc etc was humiliating spoken to like a child told that I can have pain relief for toothache they were unaware. After hours stating at 4 blank walls I had enough I wasn't spending 18hours in what may aswell have been a police sell like a criminal and asked to leave I was upset I asked for my belongings etc and I was visibly upset and in pain with my front tooth hanging out. They called in the doctor and head therapist patronising me start to end and gave me strong painkillers paracetamol lol banished me back to the room and asked me to stay not to be silly and leave unsafely etc. Following morning no therapist visits me with an update but a nurse comes in tells me to go back to my normal programme I oblige. Within 1min of entering the building I was chased down and told off for being there and accused of making it up that thr nurse at detox told me to, when they checked and I wasn't lying no one apologised I was again made to wait 1 hour for my medication and banished back to detox then I got called in to be patronisingly informed im being discharged for cocodamol for toothache. They wouldn't allow me to have my phone to arrange to get home etc no numbers no money etc and fpr 5 hours left.me waiting on discharge papers still refusing me the phone incase I left before hand. They then continued to treat me like a silly little girl demean and speak to me in such a condescending tone I blatantly told them I wanted to go home and use.

My virtual fitting with Dougie was AWESOME. He talked me through adjusting my cleats to a different…read moreposition and orientation and then changing every aspect of the bike fit. For those who ride a Peloton, my settings went from an I-16-B to an L-20-F! The bike couldn't feel more different under me. Immediately, I felt activation in my hamstrings that I've never had before. Dougie also coached me on my pedal stroke; it's going to require continued work and focus, but it's great to have a professional telling my exactly what I need to do to improve. I haven't even been riding a year yet at this point, and I'm glad I didn't wait any longer to get fitted. This is going to totally change the way I ride for the better. I can't wait to do my first endurance ride at these new settings!

This review is based on my hubby's experience but I was there watching, taking notes and pics and…read moremarvelling in the technology and expertise. Before this process started, my hubby was very sceptical of this new-fangled bike fitting system. In his day *coughs* it was very common to get your steel bike custom made and any good bike shop had the ability to measure you up at no extra cost. And if you're not a pro - will a fitting really improve your performance? Well after an in-depth session with Dougie at Edinburgh Bike Fitting we have a much better understanding of who will benefit and how. So, If your're not a pro looking for marginal gains, why is this fairly expensive service needed? ONE: Most bikes are now carbon and stamped out in a factory far, far away. You've only got 3 options, Small, Medium or Large and any adjustments come from your handlebar stem and seatpost. Chances are you bought it online or in a chain store that has no idea how to fit a bike. You now have a sore back, dodgy knees and a stiff neck from riding your expensive yet poor fitting bike. What do you do? Take your bike to a specialist bike fitter and they can adjust your position so you can ride comfortably and maybe even a bit better. TWO: You don't want to buy a poor fitting carbon bike but there are so many brands out there - each with slightly different geometry and sizing. The Retul system Dougie uses is connected a big database of off the shelf bikes. He can take detailed measurements using lots of wires and lasers from all different angles - plug that into the database and hey-presto you get a list of the best bikes for your body and riding positions. You no longer are at the mercy of poorly trained salespeople (or even knowledgeable ones trying to sell you the most expensive bike). THREE: This was my hubby's reason for crossing over into the hi-tech dark side of cycling. You want to buy a good old-fashioned custom built steel bike - made just for your and your quirky long back and short legs. After searching for months the bike builder you settle on is in Holland. You can either fly over for the builder to take measurements OR most builders will accept measurements taken by a reputable system (Retul is top of the list). My hubby was happy to find a Retul Fitter right here in Edinburgh and Dougie took this service to an even higher level. So, although we both saw merit in the bike fitting system in general the 5 stars really go to Dougie (sole proprietor at Edinburgh Bike Fitting). Pretty much anybody can go for a few days training, buy the kit and become a registered Retul Fitter. Dougie's background and previous experience allow him to provide an in-depth fitting service that goes way beyond sticking on sensors and letting the software do all the work. Not only is he an avid cyclist, he has gained valuable knowledge through studying sports science and sports massage both requiring a huge amount of anatomy and physiology. When the laser traces showed an imbalance in my hubby's left hip and leg (where he was also experiencing dull by annoying pain), Dougie was able to offer suggestions for exercises and stretches as well as making adjustments on the bike. I'm sure there are not many other fitters that could do the same! All these measurements were done on a Bicycle shaped 'rig'. For the one price, we were also able to bring the newly built bike in (even several months later) and have his position tweaked to optimise comfort and performance. My hubby is now a bike fit convert - but only if the fitter has the additional knowledge of cycling and anatomy like Dougie. Note: These fittings are by appointment as Dougie may not be in the shop if you just drop in. The entry is the door next to 'Laid Back Cycles'.

one of my favourite luxuries that i treat myself to each month is a really good massage. being a…read morekeen runner means i put my body through a lot on top of the fact i'm stuck in a desk job 5 days a week so my muscles are pretty sore sometimes. finding a really good massage therapist can be tricky as i often find that the pressure isn't what i'm looking for or that the massage just doesn't quite get all my knots out. however Knotstressed Therapies offers a huge range of massage with really excellent therapists and i thoroughly enjoyed my treatment last week! I came across Knotstressed as they very generously donated a gift voucher to a raffle i was holding for my fundraising (side note, i'm raising money in aid of Mind for the london marathon in april 2016!) when looking to book a massage out with my usual therapist i decided to give this place a try as the prices were quite reasonable and it was nearby my flat. booking is fairly easy, i dropped them an email with what i was looking for and they came back with a list of times to try to suit my availibility. i asked for a 60 minute massage initially but they explained i would be better taking a 75 minute slot so that the therapist would have enough time to discuss my massage needs and still provide a 60 minute massage. quite good advice as this meant i could talk about what sports i do and the areas i was having problems with so they could focus on that. my massage was heavenly and it's the first time in months my shoulders don't feel like a bunch of balled up knots attached to my ears! the whole experience was so incredibly relaxing as the new location is done up really nicely. it looks like they have a room for yoga and exercise classes to the front and then treatment rooms at the back. the room was nice and cosy and warm which makes such a difference when you're on a massage table just covered by a towel! there is also water and hot drinks on offer in the reception area if you come early or want to sit and relax after your treatment. a really lovely business with a huge range of services! i can't wait to book in for another massage :)

Incredibly central, accommodating owners and a massage tailored to what you need. I'm a bit of a…read morespa fiend which is quite evident after 3 separate people gave me vouchers for massages at Christmas :) my bug bear about a lot of generic spas is that they have a set massage, time and technique that they use. Here is different. Steph chatted with me for a time before the massage to understand what I wanted from it. Already off to a great start. She also asked about what excerise I do which is actually quite relevant! Basically I said that I wanted a relaxing massage. It didn't take her long to say that my muscles really needed ironing out so I said for her to crack on. I can't tell you how relaxed and loose I felt the next day. She was intuitive and new exactly what I needed even though I didnt! Great service. Would really recommend this place for a great massage.

They were all fantastic. Took wonderful care of me. I have a problem with my heart, it beats too…read morefast sometimes. All the doctors took time to come and explain everything to me and the nurses were so nice. Couldn't have asked for better care.

Okay so if you are in the city and you need a dr in the weekend or at night then yes this is the…read moreplace you need to go to. BUT don't expect a service like what we have in the US. My daughter went in for asthma attack to get a breathing treatment. The Dr didn't know what to do with her asthma as they don't have asthma treatment. They did check her for all of the airborne viruses which is good. He did give her new inhaler since her inhaler isn't helping her. They checked her breathing and she failed it twice so it's kinda of scary how they let her go with her lungs aren't working that good cuz of the asthma. he gave her steroid pills for four days. They don't let anyone go back with the patient except if you are bleeding I guess. As my daughter told me there was a guy bleeding from his knees , left arm and his head. She said they only covered his legs with a sheet but his head was still bleeding all over his face. But his family were in the back with him. The staff are super nice honestly so I have no issues with them. It's the free medical system that isn't good! Overall yes go there if you need to see a dr night or weekend. No don't go there if it's during the days of the weekdays. Like there is a lot of private Dr's that you can see if you want to get checked for normal things.

Wow oh wow they go above and beyond to help. There is a phone number to use for whatsapp. I had…read morekanya, not sure if thats the correct spelling of her name but she was the bomb.com. I feel relaxed and good enough to continue my trip. I got the 2hr oil massage. This was a great time. Recommend making an appointment on line.

beautiful smelling body creams, rhe muscle rub in particular smells wonderful. The staff are…read morehelpful a f knowledgeable.

As a very health conscious individual (read hypochondriac) Napiers was always going to be a winner…read morefor me. Napiers was established in Edinburgh in 1860 and this store on Bristo Place is where it all started. Victorian botanist Duncan Napier was the magician behind these health potions and up until the 1970's Napiers was passed from generation to generation as a family run business. After the death of the last family member in the line of Napiers to carry out this tradition the business closed down and it wasn't until the 1990's that it was revived - thank goodness for that! Many of the old recipes were found so the store is still true to the original. All medicine here is herbal medicine so it's reassuring that everything is natural. I used to take paracetamol whenever I had the slightest ache or pain but after living in Germany for a year I was a bit lost as you can't even buy paracetamol/cough syrup/ibuprofen anything medicinal without a prescription, but they do have an abundance of shops like Napiers and I found many of the natural products actually worked better and even when I went to the doctors I was given natural medicine as a prescription and a list of health foods to eat/foods to avoid. I guess it's a bit more informative than going to the doctors here and just getting crap that knocks you out. Due to the history and this being the original Napiers store, this branch has a great lived in atmosphere, they have little potted plants outside surrounding the doorway and inside it's bright and airy. The staff here are also very knowledgeable so whatever your ailment they will be able to recommend something for you. This branch is a dispensary but also doubles up as a clinic where you can get treatments such as massage, acupuncture etc.

My feet were hurting all week from walking in the cobblestones, and I was desperate to find a…read morelast-minute massage right before another walking tour. I came upon Ruan Mai Thai by chance and I am so glad I did. They were able to fit me in for a foot massage and it was everything I needed. The pain was so bad that I couldn't really walk, and my masseuse gave the best gentle but firm massage. It was so good I almost cried. Definitely would recommend.

Absolutely fabulous massage. Clean and professional staff. We went in after 4 days of walking the…read morecity and had the 90 min massage. One of best massages ever! Came out so relaxed.