Mark Titus , Freelance Writer

- Paul Hamilton

Paul Hamilton's achievement as a musician did not come as a surprise to those who were close to him, as from his early days it was evident that he was destined to be in the industry.

After leaving Knox College and honing his skills at the Jamaica School of Music (JSM), Paul joined Sonny Bradshaw 7, and then the Rhythm Kings Band. His reputation grew rapidly and he soon became a globetrotter with most of the top Jamaican artistes of the 1980s including Gregory Isaacs, Yellow Man, Frankie Paul and Shabba Ranks.

The name 'Dr Paul' was given to him by Dean Fraser, as he was always willing to take on rejected projects and make them work. His love for music saw him opening a studio in South Florida.

Hamilton gave his all to the studio and it was not long before the hours began to take a toll on him. He suffered a serious back injury.

"I had a recurring back injury, and despite numerous visits to the doctor, it persisted. My mother is a reflexologist and encouraged me to return to Jamaica and give her therapy a try," he told Flair during a recent retreat in Jamaica.

Inspiration

"I flew home to Jamaica, she worked on me and I was amazed that it actually helped my back. I soon recovered from that injury without any kind of medication."

According to Hamilton, this inspired him to learn more about the art, and on his return to the United States, he enrolled in the International School of Reflexology. He became even more fascinated with the health-care field, and followed up the reflexology training with a neuromuscular course, after which he pursued a course in craniosacral therapy.

"The entire experience of having relief naturally had a great impact on me," he explained. "You are able to identify your own natural healing abilities, and it shows you how to recognise and use the body's natural energy flow to revitalise and balance your state of physical and mental health."

"The medication is like a Band- Aid," he continued, "My modality is to find what the cause is and deal with it from the root. If you complain about shoulder pain, the problem might really be in the feet, so wherever I find an imbalance I try to correct it."

He added: "I also try to educate people as to why the particular situation occurred and how they can prevent it from reoccurring, so a healthy lifestyle becomes a way of life. As a result, I have clients who have been with me for over three years."

Growing clientele

Paul Hamilton applies his healing technique to a client. - Contributed photos-

Hamilton, who now operates five clinics in the South Florida area, says his clientele is growing steadily as word spreads about this 'phenomenal way of experiencing perfect health'. As part of the therapy, clients are offered a package which includes healing retreats in Jamaica.

He explains: "From the moment they land on this beautiful island, the healing process begins. Because complete healing includes mind, body and soul, Jamaica is ideal."

A plan to establish two clinics in his homeland is well advanced, with one to be located in Portland and the other in his hometown of Christiana, Manchester.

"Portland is the ultimate choice because I like the mountains, and in Christiana, we have over 50 acres of lush, green vegetation, because what I am trying to offer is a lifestyle change, which includes addressing the stress factor, eating habits and posture."

At present, Hamilton is ably assisted by three members of staff, including his mother, Monica Hamilton, who has done extensive studies in India on ancient medicines.

While this new form of treatment is not as popular as Western medicine, Hamilton is optimistic that ailing individuals around the world will soon catch on and that it can be an avenue for health tourism to grow in Jamaica.