COMPLICATIONS following a major knee operation provided the catalyst for a woman and her two sisters to launch a new holistic health centre in Kidderminster.

The Wyre Holistic Health and Wellbeing Centre will be launched in New Road, Kidderminster  on Wednesday (July 15) by Janka Webb, Dee Cope and Krystyna Evans.

The three sisters have worked in healthcare all their lives with over 30 years experience within the NHS as senior nurses and medical administrators in intensive and high dependency care.

In this environment they worked with health care professionals to help individuals and support their families and friends to cope under difficult and often tragic circumstances.

But it was a traumatic experience for Janka when she underwent surgery on her left knee almost 10 years ago that led to the trio developing an interest in holistic therapies.

She said: “Following an acute injury to my left knee in 2006, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and advised that I needed to have a total knee replacement.

“But because I was only 49-years-old, I did not have surgery until 2007. Post -operatively there were complications because the lower bones in my leg kept breaking.

“By 2010 I had five operations involving bone grafts and more metal than the Bionic Man I was in plaster and on crutches for almost two and a half years.

“During this time I was referred to a consultant rheumatologist for investigation who advised me that I was showing changes in my blood tests that indicated I may have a disease called Systemic lupus erythromatosis - an auto-immune disease of the body which needed lifetime medication to manage it.”

Jarka continued to be monitored but did not commence any medication at that time while making significant lifestyle changes to enhance her health and well-being over the next few years and she continues to be in good health. 

It is this time that led all three sisters to embark on several years of study to train in various therapies and develop new skills and in 2014 the company, TLC Holistic therapies Ltd was born.

Their company grew, with more people from all ages going to see them for treatments, and so a decision was taken to open a holistic centre on a full time basis.

Therapies offered will include acupuncture, traditional Chinese acupressure massage, crystal therapy, Reiki and a foot health service.

The centre will also host a number of groups, workshops and courses to promote personal development.

Krystyna added: “This is a dream come true for us. It is our vision that the centre will allow people to access therapies based on 1,000’s of years of tradition, new age therapies and orthodox science to complement the wonderful work of the health service and support people to actively participate in enhancing their health and wellbeing.”

Two open days will be held at the centre on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 to enable people to find out more about it.