Victoria Beckham’s spa retreat spotted my secret health problem

Baden-Baden is famous for its thermal spas – frequented by Napoleon, Queen Victoria and Marlene Dietrich – and, more recently, for having hosted games in the 2006 World Cup.

Remember those pictures of an army of glamorous WAGs strutting down a cobbled street? That was Baden-Baden.

And more recently, it has been Victoria Beckham’s bolthole following husband David’s ‘shock’ revelation that being married with four children was occasionally hard work.

Discreet: Victoria Beckham visited Brenners this summer

Tucked away on the edge of Germany’s Black Forest, the town is home to Brenners, the grande dame of European spa hotels – where Posh stayed.

Here lie state-of-the-art medical facilities and ten-star luxury. I was invited to stay earlier this year and to have a full health MOT with on-site holistic expert, Dr König.

Having spent a long weekend at the sprawling estate, which overlooks the River Oos, I can see why Posh headed here for some ultra-discreet R&R.

My own experience was an eye-opener as the exhaustive tests flagged up a medical condition I had no idea about.

THE PROBLEM

Next year, I turn 40. And I have to say, I have never felt better. I eat a balanced diet, I don’t drink often and I don’t smoke. I do exercise regularly. But, as Dr König – about 6ft 4in, with movie-star teeth – explains: ‘We are interested in getting you to optimum health. What’s going on inside, and how can we keep you healthy in your 50s, 60s and beyond.’ Well, book me in.

THE SOLUTION

The Brenners medical facility, Villa Stephanie, is an imposing white stucco Georgian building on the estate connected to the main building via a network of tunnels. Most guests stay at the hotel but, for ultimate discretion, you can take up residence – as Posh did – in one of the luxurious rooms in the villa which are insulated to cut out all electromagnetic radiation from wi-fi, mobile phones and, well, wherever else electromagnetic radiation comes from. This helps guests ‘fully detox’ from the outside world.

The medical area includes treatment rooms, a dental clinic, and a cosmetic medical practice.

THE TREATMENT

My MOT begins with a series of tests and records my blood pressure, heart rate and body composition – how much fat, muscle, bone and water I’m made up of. Bloods are also taken. The next day, I return for my first appointment with Dr König. ‘If we find any areas of risk, we help you to improve your health in specific ways,’ he says.

He takes a thorough medical history before performing an examination – testing my reflexes and flexibility – and I’m given an ultrasound test to check the liver, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels in the neck, to look for any furring.

And more recently, it has been Victoria Beckham¿s bolthole following husband David¿s ¿shock¿ revelation that being married with four children was occasionally hard work

And more recently, it has been Victoria Beckham’s bolthole following husband David’s ‘shock’ revelation that being married with four children was occasionally hard work

He also ultrasounds my thyroid gland and finds some small cysts on it. The thyroid, in the neck, regulates hormones that control the metabolism. These small pockets of fluid are ‘a variation of normal’ and ‘nothing to worry about’ but I should visit an endocrinologist, I’m told.

On my final day, I come back for my results. ‘You are in good shape,’ says Dr König. ‘So we are searching for perfection now.’

Gosh, well, that was worth the price alone. My iron levels, although normal, could be higher, so he prescribes a supplement. And that’s about it. On my return, I do visit a doctor: there is one cyst that ‘might be worth keeping an eye on’ as these can grow, and in rare cases become cancerous. Forewarned is forearmed.

ANYTHING ELSE?

The best thing about Brenners is that it’s in Baden-Baden. When I’m not being probed by Dr König, I wander the cobbled streets and there are hikes through the surrounding forest, where there are ruined castles to explore. One evening I head to Friedrichsbad, the historic thermal baths. Bathing costumes are strictly prohibited, and I receive a very bracing ‘massage’ involving a scrubbing brush.

  • Single rooms from £238 a night, doubles from £317, including breakfast. Consultations with Dr König start at £134. oetkercollection.com

Try THIS: How to soothe that most modern of agonies… a text neck 

By Mariam Al-Roubi

It is the result of hours spent staring down at our smartphones, tablets and laptops: text neck – an ever more common cause of neck and back pain.

Each time the head is tilted forward to look at an electronic device, it puts extra pressure on the spine in the upper vertebrae.

Pain, stiffness and lack of mobility are all acute symptoms – for instance, have you ever looked around suddenly after a couple of hours at the desk, only to find it’s a struggle and it takes a while for your neck to loosen up? In the long run, you can begin to lose the natural curve in the upper neck and adopt a hunched-over posture.

To avoid problems, take three minutes a day to practise this easy exercise and you should be able to correct the position of the neck in a matter of days.

  • Fold a towel in half lengthways.
  • Sitting on a chair, back straight and feet flat on the floor, take the towel and place it behind the neck, pulling it forward slightly with a hand on each end.
  • Nod the head back gently against the pull of the towel for one minute.
  • Nod the head back towards the left shoulder for three minutes, then do the same towards the right shoulder for three minutes.
  • Repeat daily for five days

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk