Newcastle University

The Sports Centre is now offering Holistic and Complementary Therapeutic Treatments to run alongside the current Sports Massage Treatments. Last week they sent me along to try it out.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, I had been told to arrive at 6pm and ask for Wan Ng who was to demonstrate his abilities, I had read that these were based on the principals of acupressure points, zen energy lines and lymphatic drainage. A biology student by day, I’ll admit that I was sceptical.

However, I took my open mind, and sore shoulder, down to the Sports Centre to meet Wan. I am pleased to say he was immediately incredibly welcoming and polite and for half an hour or so he endeavoured to relax and treat my aching muscles.

As it happens, Wan is extremely skilled, knowledgeable and takes a real interest in the treatment of injury. His repertoire was extensive, but his techniques were certainly effective in producing a relaxing half hour that helped to reduce pain and loosen tight muscles.

With Wan you are in very safe hands. In fact his PhD work contributed to Safe Air Navigation used by airports to organise planes landing and taking off. After a number of different ventures into research, he turned to the noble art of masseuse- an art he has spent years mastering.

Although he offers an alternative method to sports massage, he is able to perform sports massage alongside a number of other treatments. I tried out an Indian Head Massage, or a shampoo treatment without the shampoo (or water). Other services include reflexology and thai foot massage which involve mapping out the pain of the body onto the feet, and working on the corresponding area of the foot. Many of these techniques are based on lymphatic drainage, helping move the tissue fluid around the body by concentrating on specific nodes in the neck, armpits and knees amongst others.

Despite being a little unconventional, my appointment with Wan was extremely relaxing and I certainly felt the benefit upon leaving. Even after a conventional massage I turned to see a large rock and a bamboo stick lying guiltily on the table.

So if you’re in need of some stress relief, have a niggly injury that just won’t seem to disappear, or just fancy trying something new  go and see Wan at the Sports Centre, all treatments involve being fully clothed, either sat on a chair or lying on a massage table. So sit back, relax and let Wan work his magic.

Richard Stanyon