Get in to the ‘yin’
Well Hello November! How did that happen?
We’re truly into the yin part of the year now – slower, darker, colder. With so many of us living at full power all of the time, should we really be celebrating being busy quite so much? I am very guilty of this and have been trying to find ways to stop and breathe more often-during the day, at the end of the day and most importantly for me, at the beginning of the day. Taking a breath, drinking hot tea in my cold garden and clearing my head before the busy begins… perhaps you can join me?
As we move deeper into this beautiful golden season and slowly adapt to a new early darkness, autumn, our (already fragile) sleep patterns often get disrupted. Shorter days mean less daylight, which leads to lower serotonin (our mood-regulating neurotransmitter) and higher melatonin (our sleep-inducing hormone). The result? More fatigue, dips in focus, and sometimes a drop in mood. It’s no wonder many of us crave more rest and find ourselves reaching for an extra cup of tea (or coffee!) just to keep going.
This is the perfect moment to tune into your nervous system. Treatments that we offer at Holistic Health such as Massage, Acupuncture, and Reflexology are deeply relaxing – they signal safety to the body and help release both mental and physical tension. Prioritising good sleep hygiene can make a big difference too: dimming the lights earlier, limiting screen time before bed, and giving yourself permission to switch your phone off for a while. Even small acts of disconnection can have a powerful impact on your sense of calm and your ability to rest deeply.
We’re truly into the yin part of the year now – slower, darker, colder. With so many of us living at full power all of the time, should we really be celebrating being busy quite so much? I am very guilty of this and have been trying to find ways to stop and breathe more often-during the day, at the end of the day and most importantly for me, at the beginning of the day. Taking a breath, drinking hot tea in my cold garden and clearing my head before the busy begins… perhaps you can join me?
As we move deeper into this beautiful golden season and slowly adapt to a new early darkness, autumn, our (already fragile) sleep patterns often get disrupted. Shorter days mean less daylight, which leads to lower serotonin (our mood-regulating neurotransmitter) and higher melatonin (our sleep-inducing hormone). The result? More fatigue, dips in focus, and sometimes a drop in mood. It’s no wonder many of us crave more rest and find ourselves reaching for an extra cup of tea (or coffee!) just to keep going.
This is the perfect moment to tune into your nervous system. Treatments that we offer at Holistic Health such as Massage, Acupuncture, and Reflexology are deeply relaxing – they signal safety to the body and help release both mental and physical tension. Prioritising good sleep hygiene can make a big difference too: dimming the lights earlier, limiting screen time before bed, and giving yourself permission to switch your phone off for a while. Even small acts of disconnection can have a powerful impact on your sense of calm and your ability to rest deeply.
Last week, Kat and I travelled to Stockholm to partake in what would be a transformative yoga retreat in the middle of the forest...
Spending uninterrupted time in nature, plunging into VERY very cold water and finding deep connection in the disconnect. Yes, I switched my phone off for most of the 4 days! Remembering how to switch off, stepping away from constant stimulation, and just being. It reminded me how nourishing it feels to be present without distractions – to let nature, stillness, and breath guide you back to balance. Twice daily yoga (and even a bonus CrossFit session) really hit the mark.
By leaning into these restorative activities, we give ourselves permission to align with the season: to slow down, reflect, rest, and nurture ourselves. Moving with nature, rather than against it, allows us to experience this time of year with more mindfulness, ease, and joy.
If you’re struggling with energy during this seasonal shift, book your Vitamin B12 appointment to support your immunity and wellbeing through this transition.
Big love, Tracy
Podiatrist, Mother, Yorkshire Tea addict & Clinic Director
Spending uninterrupted time in nature, plunging into VERY very cold water and finding deep connection in the disconnect. Yes, I switched my phone off for most of the 4 days! Remembering how to switch off, stepping away from constant stimulation, and just being. It reminded me how nourishing it feels to be present without distractions – to let nature, stillness, and breath guide you back to balance. Twice daily yoga (and even a bonus CrossFit session) really hit the mark.
By leaning into these restorative activities, we give ourselves permission to align with the season: to slow down, reflect, rest, and nurture ourselves. Moving with nature, rather than against it, allows us to experience this time of year with more mindfulness, ease, and joy.
If you’re struggling with energy during this seasonal shift, book your Vitamin B12 appointment to support your immunity and wellbeing through this transition.
Big love, Tracy
Podiatrist, Mother, Yorkshire Tea addict & Clinic Director
Posted on 30 October 2025
Podiatry & Talking
Last week we celebrated World Podiatry Day and World Mental Health Day: two occasions that overlap beautifully, and resonate deeply for me.
Every day in clinic, I’m reminded that we don’t just treat feet – we treat people. The stories, the stresses, those unspoken cues revealed in the first few minutes along with all the emotions that walk through the door are just as real as the physical pain or imbalance that brings someone in. It’s amazing how much comes up in a foot appointment once you start listening – and not just to the body.
As a Podiatrist, I have the great privilege of working at the intersection of medicine, movement, and humanity. Our feet carry the full weight of our lives: our work, our responsibilities, our dreams, and – of course – our worries. Yet they’re so often ignored… until something goes wrong.
As both Lead Podiatrist and Clinic Director here at Holistic Health, I couldn’t be prouder to be part of a profession that touches so many aspects of wellbeing. As Podiatrists and Foot Health Professionals, our care extends far beyond what most people imagine podiatry to be. We look at:
🩺 Dermatological health – skin, nails, infections, and wound care.
🧠 Neurological function – sensation, balance, and nerve pathways.
❤️ Vascular circulation – oxygenation and early detection.
⚙️ Biomechanics – how movement patterns affect the whole body, and often lead to pain and disharmony.
⚡ High-risk care – diabetes, arthritis, and complex conditions.
👟 Footwear and orthotics – because design and fit matter to performance and comfort.
🔬 Skin & nail surgery – diagnosing and treating infections, performing ingrown toenail surgeries, biopsies, and minor procedures to restore health and confidence.
Every day in clinic, I’m reminded that we don’t just treat feet – we treat people. The stories, the stresses, those unspoken cues revealed in the first few minutes along with all the emotions that walk through the door are just as real as the physical pain or imbalance that brings someone in. It’s amazing how much comes up in a foot appointment once you start listening – and not just to the body.
As a Podiatrist, I have the great privilege of working at the intersection of medicine, movement, and humanity. Our feet carry the full weight of our lives: our work, our responsibilities, our dreams, and – of course – our worries. Yet they’re so often ignored… until something goes wrong.
As both Lead Podiatrist and Clinic Director here at Holistic Health, I couldn’t be prouder to be part of a profession that touches so many aspects of wellbeing. As Podiatrists and Foot Health Professionals, our care extends far beyond what most people imagine podiatry to be. We look at:
🩺 Dermatological health – skin, nails, infections, and wound care.
🧠 Neurological function – sensation, balance, and nerve pathways.
❤️ Vascular circulation – oxygenation and early detection.
⚙️ Biomechanics – how movement patterns affect the whole body, and often lead to pain and disharmony.
⚡ High-risk care – diabetes, arthritis, and complex conditions.
👟 Footwear and orthotics – because design and fit matter to performance and comfort.
🔬 Skin & nail surgery – diagnosing and treating infections, performing ingrown toenail surgeries, biopsies, and minor procedures to restore health and confidence.
But beyond the science, it’s about connection.
As a mum to girls, I’m especially aware of the way our feet tell the story of our lives: from those first wobbly baby steps, through the growing pains of adolescence – and the many, many football related sports injuries and the ongoing debate about football/rugby boots – through to the myriad of changes that menopause (peri/post included) brings – yes, even in our feet! – right through to the care and comfort we all deserve as we navigate later life.
It is a gift to witness patients at every life stage and crossroads – generation by generation – as each pair of feet carries its own history, strength, and love forward.
From teaching our kids to love and respect their feet, to helping our parents stay mobile and confident, we’re really nurturing mental, emotional, and physical health all at once.
So as we celebrate both Foot Health and Mental Health, I want to remind you:
Your feet are the foundation of your wellbeing.
They carry your body – and often, your burdens too.
Take a moment to notice them, care for them, and honour the journey they’ve walked you through.
Because every foot tells a story!
Big love, Tracy Podiatrist, Mother, Yorkshire Tea addict & Clinic Director
As a mum to girls, I’m especially aware of the way our feet tell the story of our lives: from those first wobbly baby steps, through the growing pains of adolescence – and the many, many football related sports injuries and the ongoing debate about football/rugby boots – through to the myriad of changes that menopause (peri/post included) brings – yes, even in our feet! – right through to the care and comfort we all deserve as we navigate later life.
It is a gift to witness patients at every life stage and crossroads – generation by generation – as each pair of feet carries its own history, strength, and love forward.
From teaching our kids to love and respect their feet, to helping our parents stay mobile and confident, we’re really nurturing mental, emotional, and physical health all at once.
So as we celebrate both Foot Health and Mental Health, I want to remind you:
Your feet are the foundation of your wellbeing.
They carry your body – and often, your burdens too.
Take a moment to notice them, care for them, and honour the journey they’ve walked you through.
Because every foot tells a story!
Big love, Tracy Podiatrist, Mother, Yorkshire Tea addict & Clinic Director
Posted on 14 October 2025Hello October!
How’s everyone adjusting to this seasonal shift?
It is natural to find your energy fluctuate as the seasons change. Entering these autumnal months is exciting – bonfires, conkers and cosyness – and might be accompanied by a dip in energy levels and a call to hibernate.
Here’s something you might not know: 85% of people with Vitamin B12 deficiency experience neurological, cognitive, or mental health symptoms. Fatigue, low mood, feelings worthlessness, and weakness are also common – so there’s no wonder that I welcome so many patients with low Vitamin B12 who have been misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, menopause, or even waved away being told it’s a ‘natural part of the aging process.’
It is natural to find your energy fluctuate as the seasons change. Entering these autumnal months is exciting – bonfires, conkers and cosyness – and might be accompanied by a dip in energy levels and a call to hibernate.
Here’s something you might not know: 85% of people with Vitamin B12 deficiency experience neurological, cognitive, or mental health symptoms. Fatigue, low mood, feelings worthlessness, and weakness are also common – so there’s no wonder that I welcome so many patients with low Vitamin B12 who have been misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, menopause, or even waved away being told it’s a ‘natural part of the aging process.’
This week I came upon something
worth sharing:
Food For The Brain’s cognitive function test. It’s a free and simple way to spot risk factors for memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s - so you can protect brain health before decline begins.
Meanwhile, if you feel you could do with an energy boost to carry you into autumn with more vigour, book your Vitamin B12 injection at my welcoming clinic. It’s the most effective way to give your body the Vitamin B12 it needs and get through the autumn fighting fit.
Food For The Brain’s cognitive function test. It’s a free and simple way to spot risk factors for memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s - so you can protect brain health before decline begins.
Meanwhile, if you feel you could do with an energy boost to carry you into autumn with more vigour, book your Vitamin B12 injection at my welcoming clinic. It’s the most effective way to give your body the Vitamin B12 it needs and get through the autumn fighting fit.
Posted on 2 October 2025Tantrum-free 'back to school' shopping:
We're now well into the summer holidays – and I hope that however you’re spending this hot summer that you are happy and hydrated.
As mum to two teenagers, I’ve (thankfully) now graduated from back-to-school-shoe-shopping with my girls. But thanks to my years of service as a mother and Podiatrist, I have collated my tips to optimise your visit to the shoe shop – and yes, I do recommend going to a bricks and mortar shop for this job!
Sizing is often inconsistent between brands, with length and width differing between styles of shoes, so it is best to try the shoes on and have them fitted by an expert. In the absence of an expert, simply follow my expert advice, and you can't go too far wrong...
I specialise in children's feet, and I welcome the family to book in and receive bespoke advice for lifelong foot health.
Book your appointment with me online.
As mum to two teenagers, I’ve (thankfully) now graduated from back-to-school-shoe-shopping with my girls. But thanks to my years of service as a mother and Podiatrist, I have collated my tips to optimise your visit to the shoe shop – and yes, I do recommend going to a bricks and mortar shop for this job!
Sizing is often inconsistent between brands, with length and width differing between styles of shoes, so it is best to try the shoes on and have them fitted by an expert. In the absence of an expert, simply follow my expert advice, and you can't go too far wrong...
I specialise in children's feet, and I welcome the family to book in and receive bespoke advice for lifelong foot health.
Book your appointment with me online.
WHEN? Afternoon: as feet spread
and swell during the day, so the afternoon reflects a foot's largest size
which must be comfortable in the shoes you pick. Don't rush, and make sure
your little one isn't tired or cranky, it won't help!
WIDTH: Must be wider than the widest part of the foot (across the toes). They should be able to wiggle their toes easily, so avoid pressure on the big or little toe areas.
STYLE: An adjustable closure is best - so velcro in little shoes, and later on laces. This allows them to accommodate the foot's change in size throughout the day. The shape of the shoe should mimic the shape of the foot, and feet do not taper to a point! The toe box should have plenty of space.
HEEL: Have them sit down, and tug the shoe to check it doesn't slide around. If a shoe doesn't fit right at the heel, the toes will grip for stability, leading to musculoskeletal issues in the long term.
LENGTH: Allow for 12mm of room at the end of the shoe (but no more than 17mm) - to allow growth and flex.
MATERIAL: Natural materials like leather and canvas allow breathability and reduce the risk of odour or athlete's foot. Shoes should be lightweight, with a non-slip or patterned sole to minimise the risk of slipping.
WATCH: Have your child walk around and look for unusual gait and slipping. If your child struggles to do this comfortably while being watched, have them do this at home (but keep your receipt if you need to return them).
RE-CHECK: Children's feet should be checked every 6-8 weeks. On average, feet grow 2 full sizes per year, so regular checks are essential!
WIDTH: Must be wider than the widest part of the foot (across the toes). They should be able to wiggle their toes easily, so avoid pressure on the big or little toe areas.
STYLE: An adjustable closure is best - so velcro in little shoes, and later on laces. This allows them to accommodate the foot's change in size throughout the day. The shape of the shoe should mimic the shape of the foot, and feet do not taper to a point! The toe box should have plenty of space.
HEEL: Have them sit down, and tug the shoe to check it doesn't slide around. If a shoe doesn't fit right at the heel, the toes will grip for stability, leading to musculoskeletal issues in the long term.
LENGTH: Allow for 12mm of room at the end of the shoe (but no more than 17mm) - to allow growth and flex.
MATERIAL: Natural materials like leather and canvas allow breathability and reduce the risk of odour or athlete's foot. Shoes should be lightweight, with a non-slip or patterned sole to minimise the risk of slipping.
WATCH: Have your child walk around and look for unusual gait and slipping. If your child struggles to do this comfortably while being watched, have them do this at home (but keep your receipt if you need to return them).
RE-CHECK: Children's feet should be checked every 6-8 weeks. On average, feet grow 2 full sizes per year, so regular checks are essential!
Posted on 16 August 2025Celebrating Indie Businesses
A certain billionaire-owned mega-company are having
a sale this week, but that's not what this is about!
“Independent Retailer Month is a shop local event that runs annually throughout July encouraging consumers to shop at independent retailers; highlighting their positive social and economic impact – locally, nationally and globally.” Indie Retailer Month
Well that has Broadway Market written all over it!
If you want
Then you have come to the right place. Welcome.
“Independent Retailer Month is a shop local event that runs annually throughout July encouraging consumers to shop at independent retailers; highlighting their positive social and economic impact – locally, nationally and globally.” Indie Retailer Month
Well that has Broadway Market written all over it!
If you want
- A coffee where the beans haven’t been burned
- A sandwich that wasn’t made days ago and packaged in preservatives
- And a treatment plan that has been fully personalised to you, the human in the seat in front of us, not a cut and paste routine of every person who came before you...
Then you have come to the right place. Welcome.
This isn't a chain: we are real people, with a
person-first approach to your treatment
To treat you ‘Holistically’ means I take into consideration not only your physical symptoms or diagnosis, but also look at social and psychological factors. This enables me to offer you a meaningful and lasting treatment plan – for the human being inside the structure.
My core aim is to see you achieve a good state of health, and to offer you a great experience at the same time. And as such, I always want to hear from you.
We’re real people, and our dogs have birthday parties.
Here’s Dolly (right), the youngest of my two Daschunds - celebrating her 3rd birthday at the weekend.
Much merriment was had – as you can see in this photo of Teddy (left) and Dolly. And yes, Dolly tried to eat her hat.
To treat you ‘Holistically’ means I take into consideration not only your physical symptoms or diagnosis, but also look at social and psychological factors. This enables me to offer you a meaningful and lasting treatment plan – for the human being inside the structure.
My core aim is to see you achieve a good state of health, and to offer you a great experience at the same time. And as such, I always want to hear from you.
We’re real people, and our dogs have birthday parties.
Here’s Dolly (right), the youngest of my two Daschunds - celebrating her 3rd birthday at the weekend.
Much merriment was had – as you can see in this photo of Teddy (left) and Dolly. And yes, Dolly tried to eat her hat.
Posted on 10 July 2025