We are all casualties of living in a modern world, where life rushes at us at speeds of 100 miles an hour. Here Victoria MacFarlaine tries something to eradicate that stress – no, not a long lie down at a health spa – Pranic Healing.

There comes a time when it is just plain wrong to keep relying on a glass of wine or an expensive trip to a spa to get that blissful feeling of relaxation.

But respite seemed in short supply of late.

There are days when I could quite literally scream after returning from a busy day at work to be confronted with a messy house, heaps of emails and a ton of texts to respond to.

Then there’s the rush hour traffic to contend with, organising social events for weekends, keeping in touch with friends and family... life just seems like one massive ‘to do’ list.

But how do you combat that when you know it is just a part of modern life?

Amy Shakeshaft practises Pranic Healing, a form of complementary medicine that helps to get rid of negative energy from the body using hands – although it is non-contact – and crystals.

Prana is a Sanskrit word that means life-force, and this invisible vital energy is said to keep the body alive and keep it in a state of good health. She explains stress, or indeed other ailments, can be alleviated with just a few sessions, as she evaluates the person’s aura before working with this healing.

She told me I had an enlarged solar plexus, which is where most people carry tension, and she immediately got to work.

During the first session, my head hurt if I tried to think of anything specific. Now, I don’t know if it was the soft candle-light and the chilled out spa-type music which accompanied the session, but I left Amy’s salon walking on a cloud.

I immediately returned to my home to be greeted with a mountain of washing up, and the beds had to be made before a friend was scheduled to stay, yet it was odd but I didn’t really care.

A week passed before my next appointment and by that point the old feelings had returned.

The strange part of Pranic Healing is that it is invisible, so the cynics among you may scoff – and I must hold my hand up and say that I too couldn’t help but be sceptical.

But, a week later, the epiphany came when I had battled through traffic to reach Amy, and for about ten minutes during my treatment my heart and mind were racing.

Then it happened: I suddenly felt totally relaxed, like someone had hit a switch. And literally, just a few seconds later, without me saying a word, Amy told me the mountain of congested energy had gone so I should feel calmer.

Coupled with this, during the next session I told Amy I had a aching shoulder pain, and as I stood up at the end of the session, I realised it had disappeared.

Amy says the only drawback with using Pranic Healing for the mind, is that it is also dependent on what environment the person has encountered over the week.

She says when specifically treating ailments, it is more targeted to the problem and is therefore successfully used for complaints such as psoriasis and stomach issues.

For me, Amy says it is a common concern and her advice is to try and switch off and use meditation tapes which can help.

So, on her advice, I have downloaded a podcast with mood music to send me into a trance.

Oh, and I have hired a cleaner.

Prices start at £35. Contact Amy Shakeshaft on 07817 901332. Or email amyshakeshaft@hotmail.com