A north-east woman who moved to Australia has brought her family back to the area and is hoping her years of experience in gut health will prove popular as she opens a colonic hydrotherapy clinic.
Sarah Thain, who fell in love with Moray while living down under, moved to Moray in August last year (2023) after 12 years in Melbourne. She visited Forres in 2022 and decided this was the place she wanted to come back to.
Beautiful surroundings
She said: “It’s the beautiful surroundings – Findhorn, Roseisle, Hopeman, Nairn and Aviemore – and the slower pace of life.
“I saw the unique opportunity to start the colonic business when I saw the advert for a shop to rent. It has always been a dream of mine, but have never found the right space or opportunity.
The shop at 131 High Street, was formerly a nail bar, and before that, it the office of the Forres Gazette.
“I went to see it, it felt right and it naturally progressed.”
Sarah qualified as a registered nurse in 2008, working in the NHS before moving to Melbourne Australia in 2012, where she first specialised in cardiothoracic nursing.
She went to the International Colon Hydrotherapy Training Academy in Australia, and then went on to complete her training in Texas, using the Angel of Water Colonic System, which she has installed in her Forres premises.
The gut health journey
Sarah said that ‘colonics’ are really just a small part of the gut health journey and believes that bringing back wholefoods, balanced diet and ‘slowing down’ are all ways to feel good and have energy for life.
Now back in Scotland, she will complete her nursing course in a High Dependency Unit, and hopes to offer an infra-red sauna and IV vitamin therapy later in the year.
The treatment is delivered using the ‘Angel of Water’ which uses warm filtered water to gently cleanse the colon.
She added: “People have colon hydrotherapy for a wide range of reasons. Some people are looking for relief from the symptoms of IBS such as bloating, constipation or diarrhoea.
“Or it could be weight issues, candida, skin breakouts, brain fog or fatigue after a course of antibiotics.
“Others simply want to maintain and improve their digestive health, and enjoy the light feeling and increased energy levels that often comes from the treatment.”
Colon cleansing has been around for thousands of years. As early at 1500BC. The Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical document, described the many benefits of colon cleansing.
Increasing awareness
Today, there is increasing awareness, research and education into gut health, and the microbiome. Seventy to eighty per cent of the immune system resides in the gut.
And for the reluctant, she said people should keep an open mind. Sarah will happily answer questions, adding: “It is a very gentle therapy, and I work with each client individually, taking it slow and going by how they feel. We will go through a consultation prior to a session, which lasts around 40 minutes.
“Initially I recommend three to four sessions quite close together. Then as and when you feel you need. Colonics are a regular part of my lifestyle and find it really helps with my digestion and energy.
Colonic Health is at 131 High Street, and Sarah can be contacted on 07712 476008.