Restoring Balance – Louise Sylvester visits Holon Wellness Centre to experience a selection of their science-backed therapies firsthand.
I was recently invited along to Holon in Glasgow’s West End, located on Great Western Road just along from the subway. I had heard some great things and having already spoken to Lauren, one of Holon’s directors, about the range of services on offer, I was keen to experience it for myself.
Stepping inside, I was immediately struck by the space. As someone with an interest in interior design as well as wellness, it was a real treat for the senses. Cork-lined walls and floors, concrete finishes and beautifully curved, made-to-measure furniture created an environment that felt both calming and aesthetically considered with a real sense of understated luxury.
Lauren had planned out a schedule for me, offering a taster of several of the therapies available. Having studied Biology at university, I found it particularly interesting to hear the thinking behind each treatment as we moved through them. Science plays a crucial role in all that Holon have to offer, so you can be sure whatever treatment you receive it’s backed up with trials, results and that all important evidence.
And Relax…
We began with a session designed to encourage relaxation, something I am always in search of. I settled into a reclining chair to experience Vielight brain photobiomodulation therapy. This involves red light wavelengths being delivered to the brain, with the aim of supporting cognitive function, relaxation and overall brain health. The system offers different modes, with alpha waves promoting relaxation and improved sleep, and gamma waves associated with focus and cognition. It is subtle in terms of sensation, but after a short time I did feel noticeably calmer, as if I had quietly stepped away from the usual mental noise. And I wasn’t imagining it – Westender’s photographer, and Editor, who joined me for this part of my experience, commented on my zen-like demeanour.
At the same time, I experienced PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy) using the HAELO system. This non-invasive technology uses gentle electromagnetic pulses to support cellular function, circulation and recovery. These controlled impulses are intended to increase cellular energy and may support healing, recovery and overall wellbeing. I held a round PEMF device against my stomach while learning more about how electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are naturally present all around us – including those generated by the Earth itself. Each cell acts like a battery, and beneficial EMF exposure is thought to help maintain cellular charge, supporting processes such as energy production, repair and nutrient absorption.
And there’s More…
This part of my experience all wrapped up, I floated downstairs to the contrast therapy suite. This is something I have done before, but that didn’t make this Holon version any less impressive. The space is calming, stylish and everything has been considered, right down to a wee bag to put your wet swimwear in – a nice touch. The combination of infrared sauna and cold water immersion is now widely recognised for its benefits. The infrared sauna uses light to heat the body more deeply, encouraging relaxation, circulation and recovery, while the cold plunge offers a sharp contrast that can support resilience, reduce inflammation and provide a noticeable lift in mood. For me, it is the mental reset that makes the biggest impact. By the time I finished, I felt both relaxed and re-energised.
I was literally walking on clouds, but Lauren had one more treat in store – full body red light therapy. While red light masks are becoming increasingly visible online, this was a more immersive experience. This may not be ‘just another fad’; there is, as with everything on offer at Holon, real science behind it. And it wasn’t just my face that was going to benefit, it was my whole body. I stepped into the red light therapy room, stripped down once more, and spent 10 minutes in the healing red glow. The treatment uses specific wavelengths of light to support cellular energy production and recovery. This may be a therapy that needs to be experienced regularly to notice full benefits, but it has certainly sparked something in my mind – I think I may be ready to be influenced into a mask for which my face will surely be grateful.
Women’s Health
During my visit, Lauren also showed me some of the other therapies on offer which includes a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Originally developed for medical use, this therapy involves breathing oxygen-rich air in a pressurised environment, allowing higher levels of oxygen to circulate through the body. It is increasingly being used for recovery, inflammation and overall wellbeing with sports men and women benefitting from it.
Alongside these therapies, Holon has a strong focus on supporting women’s health, particularly around hormonal changes. Their approach is based in functional medicine, looking at the body as a whole rather than focusing on isolated symptoms. Many women experience fatigue, disrupted sleep, anxiety or changes in mood and weight and all too often don’t understand why. Holon’s approach is to explore the underlying factors that may be contributing to this and then set about correcting it.
Central to this is helping clients to properly understand what is happening in their bodies, supported by advanced testing. One of these, the DUTCH test, provides a detailed picture of hormone throughout the day, offering insights into how hormones are being and processed. This allows for personalised advice, whether that involves nutritional changes, lifestyle adjustments or more targeted therapies.
Guided yoga and breath-work classes are also part of Holon’s offering, held in a lovely wee space on the mezzanine floor above reception. Small classes allow the experienced yoga therapist to respond to individual needs, so clients leave feeling rested and better able to manage whatever life throws at them.
Holon’s appeal lies in its measured and thoughtful approach to each of its patients. Rather than quick fixes, the focus is on understanding the body and supporting it over time – as Lauren explained during my visit, their sole aim is not simply to manage symptoms, but to help restore balance.
Technologies
Infrared Sauna,
Ice Bath,
Hyperbaric Oxygen,
Red Light Therapy,
Compression Boots,
Vielight,
PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy)
Virtual Reality.
