The history of alternative medicine in Malvern
The connection between Malvern and Natural Health can be traced back at least as far as the early 1600s. It is known that bottled water from the Malvern Springs was transported to London in the reign of King James I.
However, Malvern did not rise to international fame as a centre for health
until the development of the Malvern Water Cure in the 1840s, by two doctors.
Dr James Wilson had first hand knowledge of the water cure practised by Vincent
Priestnitz in Graefenburg. Both Dr Wilson and Dr James Manby Gully were
disenchanted with Victorian drug treatment. It often seemed to do more harm than good.
By the mid 1840s they had set up treatment centres in the Crown Hotel, (Now
Lloyds Bank, Belle Vue Terrace), Priestnitz House (now Park View, overlooking
Priory Park) and in what is now the Tudor Hotel. Other doctors came to Malvern
securing its reputation.
About the Centre
The Malvern Natural Health Centre follows in the traditions of these
pioneers, offering a wide range of natural complementary therapies. The Centre
is situated below Belle Vue Terrace, within a stone's throw of those earlier Centres.
The Malvern Spring and a statue commemorating the Water Cure face the Centre ===>
History of the Malvern Natural Health Centre
The Malvern Natural health Centre started life as the Malvern Natural Therapy Group. The idea was conceived by Dani Sangway and Jonathan Gibbins. They formed a group with Peter Cale, Mary Lambe, David Furlong and other like-minded souls and therapists, to explore the possibility of opening a centre in Malvern where alternative and complementary therapists and allopathic doctors could work together under one roof, as in Hereford and Cheltenham.
The first meeting was held at the Malvern Hills College of Further Education on 11th April 1986. It was attended by a mixture of practising therapists and interested members of the public. Thereafter, a smaller, committed group met in their own homes to consider the practicalities of: premises, staff, ethics, legalities, finances and publicity. It was also considered important to learn the benefits of each others' therapies.
From that small but enthusiastic start, the Malvern Natural Health Cemtre has become the professional, dedicated Charity that it is today.
The Malvern Natural Health Centre is celebrating its 22
Our aim is to increase public awareness of complementary medicine by offering
a wide range of natural therapies by fully qualified and insured practitioners.
We strive to offer the highest possible standard of practice. People on benefits can apply
to our Treatment Support Fund for up to three treatments at HALF PRICE (with supporting evidence).
If you are in receipt of income support, max tax credit, pension credit, job seekers allowance,
disability allowance etc we may be able to help. Some therapists offer concessions and/or have
special offers. We have limited reception hours just now so please leave a message and we will
get back to you as soon as possible.
