Terapias naturales / alternativas are hugely popular not just among Barcelona’s expat community, but also among local residents, especially middle class Catalans. Some 5,000 people are employed in the industry in Catalonia and 20% to 30% of the population use these therapies alongside mainstream medicine.

In a pioneering move in January 2007, the Catalan regional government (Generalitat de Catalunya) passed legislation in order to register the 3,500 or so centres and 60 schools that train practitioners, with a view to monitoring the professional qualifications and training of staff. There are few aspects of alterative medicine not offered by somebody somewhere in the city. From Rolfing to Bach flower remedies, and moxibustion to applied kinesiology, it’s probably here.

An excellent resource is www.terapeutas.es, in which a wide range of alternative therapies can be searched using Barcelona postcodes.