I’D always thought it wasn’t a good idea to mix electricity and water but here I am, ankle-deep in the wet stuff, with a small electrical unit bubbling away near my toes.

But it’s all quite safe. This is Aqua Detox – the lazy girl’s way to detoxification: no starvation diet, no rigorous exercise regime and no guzzling gallons of carrot juice.

All I have to do is sit quietly in a comfy chair with my feet in a lovely, hot foot-bath for half an hour and watch as the water progressively changes colour and consistency to a revolting oily, orange brown.

My therapist Carol Vailes explains that the tiny electrical impulse works its way up through the feet and stimulates the cells in the body to detoxify.

“We naturally need to detoxify every day in order for our bodies to function optimally but modern lifestyle takes its toll on your body more than you realise,” she explains.

Carol explains that a build up of toxins, which can be found in our everyday environment – tobacco, alcohol, food additives, drugs, pesticides and industrial pollutants – can attack our immune system and cause a variety of side effects including lethargy, migraines, bad skin, body odour and sinus problems.

“Aqua Detox is not a miracle cure but it does help the body with the detoxification process and the feet are the best place to release these toxins because there are around 2,000 pores on each foot.”

I peer down at the foot-bath which now resembles a bowl of dirty, scum topped washing up water and feel rather embarrassed and alarmed.

Carol reassures me by saying that she’s seen a lot worse, and that it’s better out than in which helps a bit.

We’re also joined by Lorna Evliyaoglu, manager of the Wessex Healthy Living Centre in Southbourne, where my treatment is taking place.

She reveals that when she tried an Aqua Detox her water turned inky black with what looked like petrol swirling around in it!

This is my first visit to the centre in St Catherine’s Road which was established as a charity in 1977 by a local woman call Bee Klug.

Her ambition was to make complementary treatments more accessible to people because many of the therapies here are not available on the NHS.

“Our aim is the prevention and treatment of illness providing a better quality of life to those of all ages and incomes,” says Lorna.

Once you’ve registered, all of the treatments are available for a fraction of the price (around £13 to £17) you’d pay in a high street salon or hotel spa.

Although it might lack some of the luxury trimmings, it was revamped last year and has four good size treatment rooms plus a well-stocked herbal medicine dispensary.

This non-profit making centre is also under medical supervision and receives regular referrals from GPs and hospitals.

There are around 28 practitioners available to treat a wide variety of conditions including arthritis, depression, impaired immune system, menopausal and hormonal imbalances, migraines, sinus problems, smoking and weight problems as well as proving advice and care throughout pregnancy.

Although the therapists do get a little money to cover their expenses, most of them offer their services for altruistic reasons or as a way of building up their experience and clientele.

My therapist Carol joined the centre three years ago when she was just starting out but enjoys her visits so much she still works at the centre one a day week.

I leave the centre with a spring in my step and a glow of wellbeing that lasted well into the following day. For more information about Aqua Detox or any other treatments call the centre on 01202 422087.