Step and Stone Health

27/03/2026

📣 Become a Clinic Partner

You might’ve spotted David and Cameron (Bowes Hearing Care) and Louise (Louise Laird) around the clinic recently 👀

They’re part of our growing community of clinic partners with David and Cameron providing audiology and ear care services and Louise offering individual and relationship counselling and also running weekly yoga classes and monthly meditation sessions in our space.

And we’re ready to grow that community even more 👋

A professional, welcoming space in Westhill is here for practitioners ready to grow - whether that’s building your own client base or bringing something new that complements what we already offer.

Please email: admin@stepandstonehealth.co.uk
💬 Or send this to someone who’d be a perfect fit. We can't wait to hear from you!

23/03/2026

😢Today we say a fond farewell to Sophie as she wraps up her S6 work experience placement with us.

Sophie came to us last year with a big decision to make - podiatry or physiotherapy. She started by shadowing both our physiotherapist, Imke and our podiatrist, Amy in clinic, getting a feel for each path before naturally gravitating towards podiatry (we’ll let you guess who was pleased about that 👀).

Now, we can’t say we influenced her decision… but Amy might have just mentioned podiatry once or twice (give or take) along the way.

From there, she really immersed herself in clinic life with Amy - sitting in on everything from core podiatry appointments to biomechanical assessments and insole fittings and building a proper understanding of what the role looks like day to day.

But she didn’t stop at clinic hours either. Sophie joined us for CPD evenings with both Amy and Louise, getting involved with the wider team and making the most of every opportunity to learn. And our Christmas night out too!🥳

And to Amy’s absolute delight - Sophie chose podiatry!

This autumn, Sophie will begin her podiatry degree at university and we’ve no doubt she’s got a great few years ahead of her. The first step in what we’re sure will be a very exciting career ahead.

We’re incredibly grateful to have played a small part in her journey. And just to set expectations early - we’ve already made it very clear there will be a place for her here once she qualifies. No pressure, Sophie… but we’ll see you in four years😉

Best of luck with everything - we’ll be following your journey with pride🦶🎓

19/03/2026

Our timetable has a gap in it… which feels wrong, if we’re honest.

Over the years, the space has been home to yoga, Pilates, baby classes and more recently women’s wellness workshops like EFT tapping and hypnotherapy.

If you run something and feel like it would suit the space, we’d love to hear from you💚

You’re also very welcome to come in and see it - it usually helps to get a feel for it in person. Just send us a DM!

The studio had a full makeover last summer and it’s become a really lovely, calm space to work from.

📣Send us a DM or email to start the conversation: admin@stepandstonehealth.co.uk

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COMING UP NEXT

A women’s wellness workshop in the Step & Stone Studio with EFTtappingwithemma & PamelaNelson.life

🗓 Friday 27th March, 10am – 1pm. £49 per person

Including guided meditation, relaxation, massage, EFT tapping, hypnotherapy and refreshments.

Get in touch with the girls directly to book!

18/03/2026

If I was a marathon runner with tight glutes… I’d be doing these 👇

Tight glutes might seem like a small issue but they can affect your stride, limit performance and increase your risk of injury over time.

Here are 5 physio approved stretches/exercises to keep your glutes moving and working properly:

1. Pigeon Pose
- A go-to stretch for releasing deep glute tightness. Keep your hips facing forward and lean in gently until you feel the stretch.

2. Standing Abduction (with band)
- Targets your glute med, which plays a huge role in pelvic stability when running.

3. Standing Glute Extension (with band)
- Helps build strength through the glutes while keeping your posture in check. Focus on squeezing the glute, not arching your back.

4. Glute Bridge (with band)
- A staple for a reason. Strengthens your glutes while encouraging proper activation. Push through your heels and control the movement throughout.

5. Clamshells (with band)
- Small movement, big impact. Great for strengthening the side glutes and improving hip stability

⚠️ Some exercises use resistance bands. Choose a level that challenges you without losing control and focus on quality over quantity.

And yes, marathon training might be why you’re thinking about tight glutes…

…but keeping them strong and mobile year-round means better movement, fewer niggles and more efficient running.

If you’re dealing with tightness, discomfort or recurring injuries, our physiotherapist, Imke, is here to help. Free 15-minute consultations available at our clinic in Westhill Shopping Centre.

16/03/2026

Shockwave therapy has been one of the most talked-about treatments at Step and Stone Health lately!

Since we introduced it, the response from our local community across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has been amazing. People have been coming in asking about it, curious how it works and whether it could help with injuries that haven’t shifted with other treatments.

One of our physiotherapists, Imke, has been particularly busy with it, so we sat down with her to get the inside scoop. From the science behind the treatment to how it feels in practice, we wanted to know what makes Shockwave so effective and where it can really make a difference.
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Q: Why is Shockwave Therapy often used for longer standing or chronic injuries?

Shockwave Therapy is particularly useful for injuries that have been lingering for months. Imke explains that chronic injuries can develop when the body stops responding to the damage.

“Sometimes the body almost gets used to the injury being there,” she says. “It kind of stops reacting to it.”

That’s where Shockwave Therapy comes in.

“Shockwave reminds the body - hey, there’s something going on here, you need to heal this.”

Many chronic injuries are caused by repeated stress on the same area of the body. Over time, soft tissues can struggle to repair themselves properly, particularly in areas where blood flow is limited.

It’s also common for people to continue pushing through pain without addressing the underlying issue.

“A lot of people will just take painkillers and keep going,” Imke explains. “That might reduce the pain temporarily but it doesn’t fix the problem.”
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This is just one insight from our conversation. For the full interview on Shockwave Therapy from Imke, read it here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reality-shockwave-therapy-step-and-stone-health-uksae

4More Physiotherapy

11/03/2026

Last week Amy headed down to Liverpool to present one of her favourite events of the year... The Foot & Ankle Show

This conference is permanently blocked out in Amy’s diary and for good reason. It’s a brilliant couple of days spent learning about new treatments, new research and new ways to improve patient care.

Over the years Amy has brought many ideas and treatment approaches back to the clinic after attending this event, helping us keep our care up to date and always improving.

It’s also a lovely chance to catch up with podiatry friends from across the country, including LR Podiatry and see some familiar faces like the team at Cliniko (who never disappoint with their conference socks)

Have a swipe through the photos to see what Amy got up to and this years show!👇

10/03/2026

💐Mother’s Day is usually a busy one in the clinic.

In the lead up, we often see people coming in for vouchers and saying things like “my mum loves hot stones” or “she’s been talking about getting a massage for ages.”

Those little moments are always nice to hear because they usually come from someone really paying attention. Sometimes that’s what a good gift is, the feeling that someone sees you.

Over the past couple of weeks, these have been the most popular treatments people are asking for gift vouchers for:

- Elemis Facial
- Sports Massage
- Relaxing Massage

Solid choices🤝

Our vouchers can be for any monetary value or can cover the cost of any specific treatment.
Pick one up in clinic or get an e-voucher sent straight to your inbox. Perfect for last-minute gifting!

📩 To order, email us at admin@stepandstonehealth.co.uk, pop into the clinic at Westhill Shopping Centre or fill out the form below👇
https://www.stepandstonehealth.co.uk/contact

06/03/2026

A huge thank you to our patients who have already been so generous in supporting the Tree of Indulgence raffle so far❤️

Our donation box is already starting to fill up and we’re so grateful for the kindness coming through our clinic doors

Friends of Anchor are aiming to collect 800 raffle prizes, with each prize helping raise vital funds for people affected by cancer across the North-east.

If you can, please get involved, we’re collecting donations here at the clinic in Westhill Shopping Centre, including:
• Vouchers (£15–£100)
• Beauty gift sets
• Bottles of fizz or spirits
• Homeware (candles, cookbooks etc.)
• Jewellery or accessories
• Experiences (gig tickets, sports tickets, days out)

Simply drop your donation into the official box at reception next time you're visiting.

Thank you for helping us support such an important charity❤️

06/03/2026

📣New to the

EFTtappingwithemma and PamelaNelson.life are hosting a Women’s Wellness Workshop morning on Friday 27th March in our clinic!

The workshop will run from 10am-1pm including:
- Breathing techniques
- EFT Tapping
- Hand massage
- Hypnotherapy
- Guided relaxation
- Meditation

£49pp *refreshments included

This workshop only has 5 spaces available. When the group is small, the work goes deeper. There’s more space to share and practise.

To book contact the girls directly💚

05/03/2026

It’s 📚

We asked the team to bring in a favourite book or their current read. Here’s what we’re reading 👇

📖 Amy – The Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters

A book about the brain, behaviour and the so-called “chimp” that can cause chaos if you let it. Safe to say Amy’s not letting the chimp make any clinic decisions.

📖 Louise – The Magician’s Way by William Whitecloud

A book about mindset, perspective and seeing possibility where others see limits - which feels very on-brand for our counsellor. If there’s a deeper meaning to be found, Louise will absolutely find it (and help you find yours too).

📖 Jenny – Funny Story by Emily Henry

Jenny couldn’t pick a favourite, so we’ve got her current read. Taken straight from BookTok recommendations (can you tell she’s Gen Z?). A good romcom is essential. And with a Netflix adaptation reportedly on the way… this one feels like required reading before it hits the screen.

📖 Hattie – This Is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay

A candid and darkly funny account of life as a junior doctor. Not light bedtime reading… but definitely memorable.

📖 Kim – Eat and Run by Scott Jurek

An inside look at the life of an ultramarathoner. Kim’s taking notes; the rest of us are taking deep breaths.

📖 Izzie – The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Her favourite quote from the book says it all:
“Nothing beats kindness. It sits quietly beyond all things.”

📖 Imke – The Physiotherapist’s Pocketbook: Essential Facts at Your Fingertips by Karen & Jonathan Kenyon

Imke says this is her all-time favourite book… and we’re choosing to take her word for it. Either way, it’s the perfect cheat sheet for all things physio — and honestly, it might be the only way the rest of us could keep up with her.

From romcoms to wee chimps, ultramarathons to physio cheat sheets… turns out our team reads as wildly as they work. What’s on your bedside table right now? We’re always hunting for new recommendations 📚

02/03/2026

Ever noticed how your brain can write a whole story with almost no facts?

A late reply suddenly feels loaded with meaning.
Silence turns into worry.
Uncertainty becomes a spiral of “what ifs”.

In her latest blog, our counsellor Louise Laird explores the stories we tell ourselves when we’re overthinking and how coming back to the present moment can help quiet the noise💭

Read here: https://www.louiselairdcounselling.com/post/the-stories-we-tell-ourselves-overthinking-uncertainty-and-coming-back-to-the-present

When something feels uncertain, the mind often fills in the gaps with stories. This blog explores why we overthink, how our need for certainty shapes the stories we tell ourselves, and the role attachment plays in how we respond to silence or distance. It looks at the difference between evidence and...