Holistic health clinics giving complimentary treatment to lure public

Businesses have been seeking innovative ways to attract new customers during the last five years of recession. The complementary healthcare sector, which has seen clinics close down and therapists out of work, is no exception.

Some therapists are opening their doors wider by offering free taster sessions of therapies and practices, free introductory information evenings and even free drop-in clinics.

The Priory Clinic in the Dublin suburbs of Stillorgan and Kimmage started its free walk-in clinics last November.

"We have found people are quite interested in the new walk-in clinics. What people don't want is to have to pay out €65 for a first visit and then find we aren't able to treat the problem," explains director John O'Sullivan.

Free consultation
"So what we offer is a free 10-minute consultation with a physical therapist who will be able to diagnose the problem if it's damage to the muscle, ligaments or soft tissue," says O'Sullivan. Depending on the type of injury, the patient is then able to decide whether to pursue further treatment, whether rest is enough or if they need to pursue another treatment option.

Chrysalis, a holistic retreat centre, left its base in Donard, Co Wicklow, when the lease expired in March 2011. Since then, its therapists have tried a few different approaches, using Ardenode Country House Hotel near Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, for residential events last summer.

They are currently using Waverly House on Church Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow, for non-residential events.

"We now feel it is important to offer lower-cost one-day workshops while adding community networking events, evening courses etc to build community and nurture collaborations," says manager Deirdre Ahern. "Our need to operate from one location has also shifted as we continue to offer events in various locations. This is proving to be a refreshing and popular change," she adds.

The Dzogchen Beara Meditation Retreat Centre in Allihies, west Cork, recently decided to run certain events on a donation-only basis. These "Free Spirit" events include introductory meditation courses and courses aimed at specific age groups. Participants must still pay for accommodation and food.

"We want to make Dzogchen Beara accessible to everyone and up to now, most people come here through word of mouth," explains manager Matt Padwick. "With falling numbers, there are less people going away and talking about the centre and also we felt it's comforting for people to know that there are places to go that don't cost a lot."

At the first “Free Spirit” event, Padwick says about three-quarters of the participants came on a donation-only basis.

“One person said afterwards that price is equivalent to intensity and that when the course is free, the approach is more open and more relaxed.

"We also find that dwhen people don't pay, they are not measuring the event on cost and [so] benefit more. The free events are also in line with Buddhist teaching which often has free events held in parks and open spaces."

Taster sessions
Free talks and taster sessions are another option. Margaret Cashman runs the Iyengar Yoga Centre of North Dublin at 367 North Circular Road, Phibsborough.

“In the seven years we have been in existence, there has been a huge increase in the number of yoga studios so when we moved premises three years ago, we decided to offer open Thursday events,” she explains.

Held in January, these events have included free mindfulness meditation classes, free Iyengar yoga classes and demonstrations, and introductory talks on ayurvedic medicine.

“We felt the recession in 2012 and lost a couple of therapists who had been operating from our studios but the open Thursdays have proven successful for us with between 20 and 30 people coming to each event.”

Nicholas Flavin, the acting chairperson of the Federation of Irish Complementary Therapists Associations says "businesses have to respond to the marketplace".

“Some therapists work part-time whereas others depend on it for their livelihood yet they have had to drop their prices because people just can’t afford as much as they could before.”