I GO for acupuncture every week, as I have an underlying Achilles' tendon I have to watch out for. Before I formed Belle and Sebastian I suffered from a post-viral condition for seven years. It's called ME in some circles - chronic fatigue syndrome is a more accurate way to describe what I had.

I've got to be careful because if I get run down it can kick off again, and that throws the whole band off.

I started having acupuncture in 2003, when I came down with yet another bug. I was laid low and had a cough for almost a year, which was playing havoc with the singing. It was an asthmatic cough which was apparently all tied up with the virus. I went to a Chinese physician for acupuncture, which I took with a pinch of salt, but it worked. I've been going ever since.

I've tried the whole range of alternative health practices, mainly because I was laid low for so long. In the midst of my long-term illness, when I was totally out of the game, the one thing that turned it round for me was going to a spiritual healer.

She was just a little old lady who lived in Mosspark [on the south side of Glasgow]. She put her hands over me and went round my whole body for an hour. And that was the turning point, believe it or not. It might sound like rubbish to some, but it was a big thing to me.

I ran a marathon when I was 18, and have been a keen runner off and on. I haven't done so much recently, but I plan one day to get back. I would love to do the New York marathon.

I was down to run there two years ago, but the album over-ran.

It would be a private victory to run 26 miles again.

I use football as a barometer for my health. I play with Chris "Beans" Geddes [B and S keyboard player], our manager and other bands. It's the slacker game; the Tuesday afternoon wasters' game. But I think we could hold our own in a Sunday league.

A few years ago, out of the blue, I started getting eczema.

I think it was our fourth album that did it. Things were going badly, and right in the middle I got this incredibly itchy rash.

Over the years I got rid of it with this strict regime where I found I was allergic to lactose in milk. I could have a slice of pizza and be itching within hours. The other thing was alcohol, which is not a great one for a rock-and-roller. I get bored at the after-show parties, but I tell you I get a lot done.

I don't tend to get too stressed out, because the group's well organised. But if you're stressed I would recommend shiatsu - it's a terrific treat.