Banish the January Blues with Bowen

So you’ve polished off the chocolate tin (even the rubbish ones at the bottom), the decks are down and you’re back at work – Christmas really is over.

But don’t worry; we are at the start of a brand new, promising year, so shake off those January blues and embrace the new decade with Bowen.

The festive period can be seriously exhausting – physically and mentally. Bowen therapy can help with muscular and skeletal problems in the neck, shoulder, hip, knees, ankle and back, as well as easing stress and sleeping problems.

We’ve all vowed to work off the turkey and mulled wine with a gruelling exercise regime this January, but if you go a little too far nailing your New Year body, Bowen has great results with sports injuries and whiplash.If you’re not feeling up to hitting the gym because you have one of the many winter viruses doing the rounds, then do not fear. Bowen can have a great overall effect on improving the immune system.

 

Food and drink are a huge part of Christmas and New Year, but if you’re sick of the sight of mince pies and feeling bloated or sluggish from the festive fodder, why not try Bowen for its digestive benefits?

If you’re anything like us, your body and mind may be due a little rejuvenation right about now. If you’re interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 07713 552858.

Bowen for Backs

Yesterday kicked off Back Care Awareness Week, and this year the theme is ‘Back Pain in Golf’.

This year, the charity focuses awareness week on back health among golfers whether they are junior/seasoned, men/women, amateur/professional and provides healthy tips to enjoy the sport.

Golf is a more dangerous sport than Rugby!
‘Low back injuries account for 15.2% to 34% of all golf injuries, followed by injuries to the elbow (7% to 27%), shoulder (4% to 19%) and wrist 10%’according to the National Centre for Health Statistics (USA).
Golf is a repetitive strain sport – With an average of 300 swings per golf-playing-day, a golfer repeatedly experiences minor traumatic injuries to the spine

There is a distinct lack of awareness regarding the prevention of back related injuries among golfers which hinder their play and performance in the sport.

Commons back problems in golfers include non-specific low back pain, stress fractures, lumbar disc herniation, early degeneration of discs, repetitive stress disorder and facet irritation.

From our previous blogs, you’ll know that Bowen practitioners help many sportspeople including golfers.

Bowen Therapy is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that has had some marvellous results with back-pain sufferers and sports injuries.

A national study, carried out by The Bowen Therapy Professional Association (BTPA) in the summer of 2006, showed that 95 per cent of back pain sufferers experienced either complete relief or a marked improvement, after a series of no more than three Bowen treatments.

Bowen therapy for sports can help:
Enhance performance
Provide remarkable relief from acute injuries
Prevent injuries before they happen
Increase flexibility
Prevent any pre-existing injures from reoccurring with age

If you play golf or suffer from back pain and are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, visit http://www.bowentherapy.org.uk

Bowen for Migraines

Last week was Migraine Awareness Week; seven days dedicated to a neurological condition that affects over eight million people in the UK.

This makes it more prevalent than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined.

Migraine is one of the top 20 causes of disability, and the World Health Organisation recognises it as one of the most disabling lifetime conditions.

However, awareness and understanding is low.

Migraine headaches result from a combination of blood vessel enlargement and the release of chemicals from nerve fibres that coil around these blood vessels.

During the headache, an artery enlarges that is located on the outside of the skull just under the skin of the temple (temporal artery).

This causes a release of chemicals that cause inflammation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery.

The Bowen Technique has had some great results with migraine sufferers.

Bowen is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that ‘asks’ the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires as opposed to ‘forcing’ the body change.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling, movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.

Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

One Bowen client said: “I just wanted to let you know how grateful I was for the kindness you showed me when I had a migraine. I slept really well on the night of the treatment and haven’t had a headache since!! Thanks again!”

Another said: “Bowen has helped to reduce the frequency of my migraine headaches.

“I have slept better and feel more relaxed generally.

“I understand the trigger for the headaches and Bowen has helped me to adjust my lifestyle accordingly (preventative measures).”

If you are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, visit http://www.bowentherapy.org.uk to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 07713 552 858.

With the Tennis Season in Full Swing, Bowen Therapy proves a hit!

With the tennis season in full swing, sport related injuries start to become an increasing pain. Every year people around the country are inspired to get up off the couch and get down to the tennis courts – sometimes with disastrous results! Even top sportspeople at peak fitness can be prone to injury. Defending champion Kevin Anderson had to withdraw from the New York Open because of a right elbow injury. Britain’s two-time singles champion Andy Murray will make a welcome return to Wimbledon in the doubles after missing last year’s Championships with a career-threatening hip injury. This year the Wimbledon championship runs from 1st -14th July.

Bowen is fast becoming one of the world’s top sports therapies. An increasing number of athletes and sportspeople use regular treatments to enhance their performance and reduce their risk of injury.

The benefits of Bowen for sports?

· It can provide remarkable relief from acute injuries

· It can help to prevent injuries before they happen

· Encourages optimum performance

· Can help to reduce recovery time between sessions

· Can help to prevent pre-existing injuries from reoccurring with age

Tennis elbow is caused by a strain to tendons in the forearm. The tendons become inflamed where they join the bony part on the outside of your elbow joint. Any activity that involves gripping and twisting of the forearm can cause this type of strain – in fact most cases aren’t actually related to tennis or any kind of exercise. Client feedback from Bowen for tennis elbow includes comments such as “The throbbing pain from my elbow to my hand disappeared” and “The results are amazing, the constant ache I had in my forearm has disappeared and what a relief that is.”

It can also help with performance and injuries in other sports as this testimonial demonstrates “I was asked to try Bowen Therapy by my football physio as I had been having problems with my back, groin and upper leg muscles for most of the season. I’d been to a chiropractor a few times and on my last visit she had advised there was nothing really wrong with my bone structure. I continued to play but still felt restricted in my movements, so I decided to give Bowen a try. After a couple of treatments, the problems I had been having virtually disappeared. I was able to touch my toes with the palms of my hands, something I’d not been able to do for a long while, and I seemed to be able to go the duration of a game easily where I had been struggling before. When people ask, ‘does it work?’ I find the best way to tell them about it is my scoring ratio since having Bowen. I’d only scored 5 goals in 27 games before Bowen treatment. From the time I started having treatment until the end of the season, I scored 10 in 12 and from my point of view that says it all! I also didn’t miss a game through injury.”

So as the Wimbledon championship gets underway, take a look at the Bowen Technique so you can start exercising without any aches and strains. To find a practitioner local to you or just to find out more about this gentle but highly effective technique, visit the website for more information: http://www.bowentherapy.org.uk/

International Men’s Health Week

International Men’s Health Week is celebrated in several countries the week leading up to and including Father’s Day. The main goal of this annual health campaign is to increase awareness of preventable health problems (both physical and mental) and encourage early detection and treatment of conditions among men and boys. This year, Men’s Health Week runs from 10-16 June.

This period is a good time for all men to reflect and focus on their health. According to a report, most men prefer to not discuss their health issues with people. Only 7% of men discuss health issues with their male friends. Almost one-fifth of men do not discuss private topics such as bedroom concerns, relationships, and urinary issues with anyone.

Research (commissioned by Mind) has found that work is the most stressful factor in people’s lives. We don’t exactly need statistics to understand that working within an institution can stimulate pressure – especially amongst men.

The consequences of stress can lead to the body’s mental, emotional and physical response to change from what it’s used to. Although it is considered a normal part of life, many men still struggle to deal with the effects and it is only then that stress becomes a negative possession – when there is no form of relief!

Effectively, men coping with stress can benefit professionally and personally from undergoing Bowen treatment.

The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that can help combat stress.

Rather than ‘making’ the body change, Bowen ‘asks’ the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires.

With most men expressing that their biggest anxiety is “the pressure to be successful” in the workplace, Bowen can be of assistance in many cases of emotional stress, where relaxation is a prime factor in easing pain and anxiety.

The treatment is known for its soothing qualities for physical complaints and is an extremely relaxing experience that can have many emotive benefits too. We believe that The Bowen Technique is ideal for the promotion of men’s health and wellbeing and is most definitely an agent that can improve the prosperity of health within males.

For more information and advice on stress and mental health issues please visit www.mind.org.uk

Is maintaining your garden leaving you as stiff as the scarecrow?

Today sees the start of national gardening week (30th April – 5th May). This year the RHS are calling on gardeners up and down the country to share their love of home-grown produce with this year’s theme – Edible Britain.

National Gardening Week is the nation’s biggest celebration of gardening and raises awareness of the difference that gardens and gardening can make to the lives of everyone in the UK.
Edible Britain helps to highlight that everyone has space to grow something delicious to eat, whether it’s a single pot of herbs on the windowsill or an allotment overflowing with courgettes and potatoes.

Those of you that are green-fingered will know that gardening and tending to a vegetable plot can be tough on your muscles and joints, causing strain and excess muscle tension.

Back pain is a common problem for keen gardeners and allotment-keepers.

Bowen Therapy is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that has had some marvellous results with back-pain sufferers.

A national study, carried out by The Bowen Therapy Professional Association (BTPA) in the summer of 2006, showed that 95 per cent of back pain sufferers experienced either complete relief or a marked improvement, after a series of no more than three Bowen treatments.

As it prides itself on being able to trigger the body’s own healing systems, you wouldn’t suffer any of the side effects that you may with prescribed drugs.

Rather than ‘making’ the body change, Bowen ‘asks’ the body to recognise and make the changes it requires. With primarily fingers and thumbs, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used. Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

If you suffer from back pain and want to try Bowen therapy, visit http://www.bowentherapy.org.uk to find a therapist near you.

April is IBS Awareness Month

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a highly common digestive condition that can cause many unpleasant symptoms, such as; abdominal pain, constipation, bloating and diarrhoea.

If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you are not on your own – IBS is common and yet many people remain undiagnosed and do not realise that their symptoms are IBS. Between 9 – 23% of the global population is affected by IBS and it is more common in females accounting for 2 out of 3 cases.

Whilst IBS is largely unpleasant, the cause of the condition is predominately unknown and even the healthiest of people can suffer from it. Celebrities that have spoken out about their struggles with IBS include Tyra Banks, Jenny McCarthy and Kirsten Dunst.
IBS symptoms are not predictable and vary from day to day. If IBS is not managed, it can interfere with a person’s life and affect them physically and emotionally.
It is thought that IBS may be caused by a disruption in the interaction between brain, nervous system and the gut, and it is believed to be brought on by stress. We do know that stress can make the symptoms worse or be a trigger. Due to the lack of knowledge of this condition, many people have to suffer as treatments are not guaranteed to be effective.
Bowen Therapy can help to aid IBS alongside other digestive conditions. The Bowen Technique is a drug-free, non-invasive therapy applied primarily by small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues. These movements are applied at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for the specific individual.

There is no force or hard-tissue manipulation needed, and between each set of moves the body is allowed to rest for a few moments. This is done so the body can trigger it’s own healing systems; instead of making the body change, Bowen ‘asks’ the body to recognise what’s wrong and begin to make the changes it requires.

Here are what some Bowen clients say about Bowen and IBS:

“I was very dispirited after nearly 12 months of conventional treatment – painkillers, fibre drinks etc. All of which were pretty ineffective; including diet control. Bowen treatment has given me back control of my life. I can plan ahead and know if I have a relapse there is treatment that will work for me. With IBS there is a treatment that will work for you to treat the cause and not just the symptoms.“
“I initially saw a Bowen therapist when my doctor said I had IBS and it couldn’t be treated. After 3 sessions I had no symptoms and IBS has never returned. That was 11 years ago and I visit my Bowen therapist whenever I have symptoms that need treating. Bowen work goes beyond the treatment that any doctor can give me.”
“After suffering irritable bowel symptoms for some time, I had 4 sessions of Bowen Therapy. Even after the first session, I felt much more relaxed and my energy level increased. I have had some improvement in my IBS although it comes and goes.. I intend to continue with top-up treatments at intervals as I feel Bowen has really helped me.”
“Bowen is a truly amazing treatment, I cannot praise it enough! It cured me of an illness that hospital consultants only scratched their heads at. I still use Bowen to keep me in check. Love it.”

If you suffer from a digestive condition and want to know how Bowen Therapy can help you, then please visit http://www.bowentherapy.org.uk to find a Bowen therapist near you.

Clearing out the Medicine Cabinet for 2019

Firstly, Happy New Year from us at the BTPA! For most, January is the start of a health kick as part of their new year’s resolutions. With a general focus on a better wellbeing; dieting, quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol are some of the more popular New Year’s resolutions the UK strives for.

As part of your New Year’s detox, it might be beneficial for you to consider what prescribed medicines you consume day to day and see if you can convert to a healthier, alternative remedy or therapy.

A report conducted by the Health and Social Care Information Centre has found that nearly 50% of the adult population are taking prescription drugs to combat a range of illnesses and health issues. More than a fifth of men and nearly a quarter of women are taking at least three prescriptions. Obviously there are illnesses which are recommended to be treated with prescribed medicines but there are also health problems which can be treated with alternative, therapies and natural remedial techniques.

Pain relief and antidepressants were amongst the most prescribed medicines. 1 in 10 women are reported to be taking antidepressants, double the amount compared to men. Certain types of pain can be relieved and mental health issues can be aided through the use of alternative and remedial therapies.

Bowen Therapy is an example of a complementary remedial technique which can be used to relieve a variety of health problems and wellbeing concerns. Bowen Therapy is a drug free, holistic remedy meaning the whole body is considered through the therapy and the whole body is responsive to the technique.

The Bowen Technique applies a finger, thumb rolling movement to the client’s muscle ligaments, tendons and fascia, allowing the body to release stress from a very deep level, therefore encouraging the body to repair and heal naturally.

Due to the relief of deep stress and tension on the body through muscle stimulation, Bowen Therapy is an ideal holistic remedy to relieve pain. Specific areas of the body can be targeted such as the lower back or shoulder pain however; you may find that Bowen Therapy also relieves pain from other areas across the body.

Those who suffer from mental health problems may find that Bowen Therapy can help relieve them of the symptoms of their conditions. The Bowen Technique aims to release stress from deep inside the body, encouraging the body to restore its natural hormonal and physiological balance. This may in turn help reduce some of the symptoms of mild depression, anxiety and stress.

Bowen Therapy is generally pleasant to receive, with a session lasting between 30 – 60 minutes depending on the age of the client and the nature of their symptoms. This treatment requires a break of 5 – 10 days between sessions to allow the muscles to process the subtle changes and to adapt to therapy. Bowen therapy is suitable for all ages.

To find out more about which heath problems and wellbeing concerns Bowen Therapy can help with, visit the BTPA testimonials page here. To locate a Bowen Therapist near you click here.

Surgery – placebo or justified?

Researchers in Oxford are hoping to find out if a commonly-performed operation used to treat shoulder pain actually works – or whether its success can be attributed to the placebo effect.

The use of a surgical technique called arthroscopic sub-acromial decompression has increased by more than 700 per cent in the past ten years but there is no hard evidence to show how effective it is. There is a growing concern that the vast increase in the frequency of the operation being performed needs to be justified.

Now a team at Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre are comparing the effectiveness of the operation with a placebo operation as there are a number of conflicting views about the effectiveness of surgery for shoulder pain.

While some reports show that arthroscopic or keyhole surgery is no more effective than physiotherapy to relieve pain, others show that it can be helpful and provide a useful treatment option. Other results suggest that removing a piece of bony spur from the shoulder – a procedure known as decompression – during surgery may be unnecessary, and that actual process of undergoing investigative arthroscopy can in itself produce benefit.

“The fact that a period of no treatment can also be beneficial for patients completes a rather confused picture,” added Ms Cooper. “It’s quite clear that we need to perform some definitive studies to show what really helps people with this type of shoulder pain. Pressures in the NHS are such that surgeons are being encouraged to prove the benefits of their practice, so that’s what we hope to do in this study.”

Surgery should be the last choice for sufferers of shoulder pain with many effective treatments available. A study into the effect of Bowen Therapy on shoulder or neck pain was conducted in the summer of 2008. 271 clients new to Bowen were treated and of these 86% showed a full or partial recovery after only 3 treatments. For more information on the study, click here. The Bowen Technique helps the body remember how to heal itself. The gentle yet powerful Bowen moves send neurological impulses to the brain resulting in immediate responses of muscle relaxation and pain reduction. The moves create energy surges. Electrical impulses sent to the nervous system remind the body to regain normal movement in joints, muscles and tendons. This helps relieve muscle spasms and increase blood and lymph flow.

PW reported “Very quickly I regained more movement in the shoulder and the level of pain reduced quite a lot” after Bowen treatment for a frozen shoulder. LF also had Bowen treatments for a frozen shoulder and said “Through the gentleness of Bowen Therapy my shoulder has gradually regained its mobility and the pain associated with a frozen shoulder has almost disappeared. This didn’t happen overnight, but over the course of 9 treatments. The result is that I no longer need surgery – patience and perseverance paid off! “. For more testimonials on how Bowen has helped people with shoulder pain and more, click here.

Scared to the bone

Spooky season is upon us and costumes including ghosts, witches and skeletons are coming out of the cobwebs.

The number of skeletons about is keeping our minds on your bone care. Bone troubles shouldn’t be a worry this Halloween with the help of Bowen therapy. Be it broken or fractured bones or aches and pains, Bowen could be the solution.

Bowen therapy is the gentle rolling movements, which sets the scene for the body to heal itself. It is a drug free, non-invasive treatment ‘asking’ the body to change rather than forcing.

One Bowen client suffered with 3 broken metatarsals resulting in immobilised foot for 3 months. They said: “My first visit resulted in the limp completely gone and after 3 visits the swelling has virtually disappeared and the added bonus is that my posture has gratefully improved.”

Don’t keep bone problems in your closet along with the ghosts and ghouls.

For more information on Bowen therapy call 07713 552 858, or send an email to ask@BowenTherapy.org.uk.

We can’t keep the stress away unless you get in touch, so find your nearest Bowen practitioner here.