Body Stress Release differs from more conventional forms of massage not just because it is administered fully clothed but also because rather than just rub the pain away, it triggers the body to self heal. The system was developed by South African Ewald Meggersee. He had suffered continual and increasing pain since he fell out of a tree at the age of five and by his 30s, was experiencing partial paralysis. The condition did not respond to conventional methods so he started his own research into a cure.

The theory is that though the body can normally adapt to the various strains of everyday life, including knocks and falls, if the stress is too severe, the body suffers overload and locks the stress in lines of tension and contraction. Headaches, backache, limb numbness and indigestion are the milder complaints that might follow - though as Meggersee's case exemplifies, symptoms can be severe.

Body stress is diagnosed by searching out areas of tension in the body, much like conventional massage, But then a series of taps and strokes are administered to see which way the tension lies. Bizarrely, any tension related muscle contraction is enough to actually make one leg momentarily shorter than the other, which is how the therapist works out where the problems are. Gently, the stress is then released by means of light but definite pressure in a specific direction, encouraging the body to "let go".

While this may sound somewhat airy fairy, testaments abound to the effectiveness of the therapy, including a semi-reversal of scoliosis - a condition where the spine curves unnaturally. Personally, I found a tension release that lasted longer than ordinary massage but, much more than, this is perhaps a therapy that works best for those with a definite physical complaint.

Louise Ramsay

Chris Balaam operates a Body Stress Release clinic in Stone Street (Edit - now Revitalise - see contact details) in Brighton on Fridays. Call 01273 738389 to book. Sessions cost £30.