35 YEARS IN PONTYPRIDD

It only seems like yesterday that I returned home to Wales from college in London in search of suitable premises to start my very own Osteopathic Practice. 1988 saw Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister, petrol was 38p a litre, the typical warm up before a rugby game was the application of deep heat and Wales had not won a Grand Slam for 10 years!!

Over the years I have treated people from all walks of life, ranging from 3 weeks old to 95! Many of my patients have grown up with me and I am now seeing the third generation of many of the families that I have helped over the years.

Market Street was the setting of the clinic in 1988, a time when people would come from Bristol, Bath and West Wales on day trips to Ponty market. I remember one of my patients telling me that he had gone to West Wales on holidays, booked a mystery coach trip, and ended up back in Pontypridd, his hometown!

I have met some real characters over the years, one patient nicknamed me ‘Helga’, a reference to my upper body strength! Many have marvelled at the strength in my fingers and thumbs, not forgetting my elbows!! One lady told me she had problems with her prostate! Others have laughed and cried during treatment, and many have become friends.

I often advise people to apply heat after treatment. One man, not having a heat pack or hot water bottle, decided to use the iron! But it was OK he said- he used the silk setting!! Another used WD40 for his arthritic knees.

We are now in our 4th premises in Pontypridd and still going strong. Wales has won several Grand Slams since the clinic’s inception but are still to win the World Cup!! But don’t worry, I am off to the World Cup in France this year and will do my best to encourage our boys to bring the cup home!! 

Since moving to no 6 Gelliwastad Road we now offer a range of services at the clinic for people suffering with their mental health alongside Osteopathy, clinical hypnotherapy and holistic services. There are currently 10 practitioners/therapists and 2 part-time receptionists working here.

To mark our 35th anniversary, we will be holding an open afternoon and evening at the clinic on Friday October 13th from 2-7pm. You are all invited to join us for some cake and Prosecco (non-alcoholic will be available on the day) and have a catch up with our staff. Let your friends know, who may not have experienced Osteopathy or our other services, and they can come along and chat to us informally. We will also be holding a raffle leading up to the anniversary, all proceeds going to Eye to Eye, a local mental health charity offering free confidential support for anyone between the ages of 10 and 30. info@eyetoeye.wales, telephone (01443) 202940.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who have supported our clinic over the last 35 years. Without you we wouldn’t have had such a ‘cracking’ time!! Cheers/ iechyd da!! Here’s to the future whatever that may hold. In the words of Nigel Owens MBE (retired rugby referee), ‘’You should never forget where you’ve come from and the people who have supported you along the way’’!!! 

Raffle prizes

Osteopathy treatment Voucher worth £50

Bottle of Prosecco

and many other prizes to be confirmed

£1 per strip. Ask reception staff to purchase.