Amrita Footcare & Wellness Centre is a new business which opened recently in Guardamangia, specialising in footcare and orthotics. CAROLINE MORALES one of the business partners involved in running the centre speaks to Erika Brincat about the various services and treatments they are now providing for our well-being.

Caroline Morales met her business partner Zlatina Filipova, a Bulgarian living in Abu Dhabi here in Malta about 20 years ago while she was on a Mediterranean cruise with her husband. Zlatina is a skin specialist who has made a name for herself in Abu Dhabi. The two met, became friends immediately and kept in close contact. From her first visit to Malta Zlatina fell in love with our island, and has now decided to invest in a business here together with Caroline.

Once the two of you agreed to set up a business together how did you come up with the name?

Well, I have been practising yoga for a good number of years and I have always liked this Sanskrit name which means the drink of immortality and wellbeing. It is this well-being we want to give out at our centre. It also happens that Zlatina’s clinic in Abu Dhabi is called Amrita, so it was inevitable that we would name our new business Amrita.

Is it a coincidence that you are both specialised in different but related areas of health care?

No, it is not a coincidence as in fact it was Zlatina’s idea for me to train in this field. I have always been interested and involved in health and environmental issues and believe a lot in alternative medicines. Orthotics (insoles) are in a way an alternative medicine as it can relieve pain and discomfort by correcting posture and distributing pressure points in the feet which are after all the pediments of our body, thus giving more stability and support.

And what services does the Amrita Footcare & Wellness Centre specialise in?

“As the name indicates we specialise in footcare and orthotics. I am an orthotic technician and have carried out my training in France. At the centre we make customised insoles which help with many health problems, mainly with feet, knees and back problems. We also do computer foot scans and are very well equipped with all the latest equipment from France. We tailor-make an insole according to the customer’s request depending on his lifestyle and style of shoes. It is amazing what a good pair of insoles can do to eliminate pain and discomfort!

Apart from the insoles we also specialise in pedicures and foot care. At “Amrita Centre we also provide other special services in treatments and relaxation such as massages and facials using high quality Refan products”.

Please tell us more about the Refan range of products you are using.

Refan produce a whole range of different products for men and women alike. The products range from perfumes, shower gels, aromatherapy scented soaps and candles, and a large range of face and body creams and scrubs. Refan Aromatherapy offers a unique collection of bath salts, bath foams and bath oils which will help you feel relaxed, refreshed and tonified and will produce an anti-stress and stimulating effect. The headquarters of Refan Ltd are located in Bulgaria, often called “the country of the roses!” Bulgaria is a small, beautiful country, situated in south-eastern Europe, having a climate and geographical disposition, which is in favour of the cultivation of oil-yielding plants as well as the yield of many essential oils, such as Rose, Lavender, Wild Geranium, Wormwood, Basil, Sage, etc.

The high quality of Refan products is due to the company’s practice to work with raw materials where the essential oils are not less than 40 per cent, which gives the product its particular gentle, fine and lasting effect. The result of all the efforts is the magic of the different fragrances. Refan products are also ideal for gifts as they are very attractively presented. We have had excellent results with treatments while using these products and the prices for such a high quality product are amazingly reasonable!

Where have you trained in France and what exactly does an orthotic technician do?

I have carried out my training in a leading podiatry centre in Montchanin, in France and there basically, I was trained to produce insoles that would serve a person with a certain kind of pathology, taking into consideration his or her age, lifestyle, and style of shoes. Apart from studying the foot anatomy and all the different pathologies, I had to accustom myself with all the numerous different kind of materials involved in the production and to get used to using the different machinery and equipment. I have been trained in mainly two different techniques which are the classical insole and the thermoforming insole. With the classical insole I make the footprint and then build up an insole with different elements. With the thermoforming I make a mould out of the foot and by using different heat temperatures, mould the selected material into an insole. I decide what type of insole I make after taking into consideration the results from the consultation, the test on the podobaroscope and the foot scan.

What kinds of other massage and relaxation therapies are available at your centre?

We have tried to create a peaceful and relaxing energy in our premises and provide some different types of massages and treatments. One of the favourites is the Wine Lover Facial and another is the Chocolate Massage. Another popular massage is the Duo Aromatherapy Massage which is a four-hand soothing massage using aromatic oils. However, we do specialise in pedicures as we are also very well equipped for them. We provide a selection of different pedicures such as Anti-aging, Deodorising, Relaxing and Refreshing. We also provide the basic pedicure service.

In your opinion how frequently should we get a pedicure to ensure perfect foot health?

I would say about once a month would be ok.

Do you think a lot of damage is done to the feet by wearing high heels with uncomfortable insoles?

Yes, I believe that very often a lot of problems to the feet have been created by wearing the wrong kind of shoes for many years, especially women wearing tight shoes with very high heels.

And how do you attempt to solve knee and back-related problems?

Very often we get knee and back-related problems because our posture is not correct. For example, having flat or cavus feet can create problems. Having one foot slightly shorter than the other also creates problems in the knees and back. People, after suffering from accidents can also get pains in their backs and knees. By manufacturing a correct orthosis you can solve these problems.

What can be done to reduce swelling of the feet caused by the summer heat?

Well insoles also help with foot circulation and support, thus relieving the feet from stress. However a nice refreshing pedicure can also help, even if done in one’s private home. Applying some good refreshing foot creams and gels are also good.

The Centre’s opening hours are from 9am to 7pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 12noon on Saturday. For more information you can call the Centre on 2122 3665 or visit Amrita Footcare and Wellness Centre, Charles Court, Level 2, Flt 10, St Luke’s Road in Guardamangia.

The word Amrita is derived from Sanskrit and means nectar – the drink of the gods which grants immortality. In yogic philosophy Amrita is a fluid that can flow from the pituitary gland down the throat in deep states of meditation. It is considered quite a boon and some yogic texts say that one drop is enough to conquer death and achieve immortality. Amrita is also a woman’s name in India meaning: ‘She who provides the nectar of life to those who thirst’.