By Caroline Gough
A CHILD with a rare medical condition is responding well to an alternative therapy.
Tristan Forsdyke has had several sessions of Bowen Technique.
The 18-month-old has had hemiplegia since he was just five weeks old. It is a neurological condition which weakens one side of the body and affects one child in a thousand.
It is sometimes described as a form of cerebral palsy and the effects are similar to those of a stroke but it does not shorten a sufferer's life. Tristan wears a splint on his arm and an insole in his shoe to help with the weakness on the right side.
His mum Tess Forsdyke said: "He really enjoys the sessions.
"I've tried the technique myself as I wanted to know what he was experiencing.
"We have seen a real improvement in him since he started the sessions and he is making more attempts to use his weaker arm now."
The Bowen Technique is a gentle, deeply relaxing, physical therapy that frees the body to attain its natural balance and healing, addressing the body as a whole.
It often extends beyond the presenting symptom to the healing of underlying causes of illnesses.
In a session, the patient lies on a bed, wearing loosely fitting clothes and relaxes.
Tristan just sits in a chair as he is so small.
The therapists – Judith Watson and Norman Ogden – apply a series of movements along the spine and at specific points throughout the body. It is the deeply relaxed state which seems to act on the body's self-governing nervous system to enable it to regain its own natural balance. Mrs Watson said: "A very gentle technique for children was developed by Howard Plummer around 15 years ago involving moves over soft tissue – a slight variation of Bowen Technique.
"Mr Plummer has had fantastic results with children with cerebral palsy, autism and ADHD and dyspraxia.
"In some ways, Tristan has been a case study for us, his right arm and hand were badly affected and have improved.
"It's very effective for people who have had a stroke as the body is designed to heal itself."
The technique uses a high degree of physical manipulation and works with babies, children and the elderly.
Bowen is effective in treating a host of ailments including shoulder problems, RSI, back pain, sports injuries, migraine, respiratory problems, fatigue and stress.
"Clients frequently comment on how good they feel and how quickly they relax – as if they had just had a full body massage," said Mrs Watson.
Mrs Forsdyke organised an aquacise fund-raiser in December which raised £175 for the charity Hemihelp, which aims to promote the rights and well being of children with hemiplegia by providing information and support and by raising general awareness of the condition. Smart Therapies is in St Hilda's Business Centre, The Ropery, Whitby is run by Judith with Norman Ogden.
Further details are available at www.smart-therapies.co.uk.
For further information on hemiplegia visit www.hemihelp.org.uk
Showing posts with label Bowen Therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bowen Therapy. Show all posts
24 April 2009
21 March 2009
The Bowen technique: The philosophy of ‘less is more’
By Dr. Neetu Dhiman - Richmond Review
Chronic pain and inflammation are conditions that many suffer from and can trigger a host of imbalances in overall health if left untreated.
While I was in my fourth year of naturopathic medicine I came across a technique that I have used in my practice with quite promising results. The Bowen technique is based on the philosophy that we are all born with a certain blue-print of health and balance. With gentle non-invasive stimulation of neurovascular bundles, muscles and tendons, the body will be put in a resting state and innately know how to self heal and restore balance.
Tom Bowen, born in Australia, developed the manipulative therapy known as the Bowen technique. After serving in the Second World War, Bowen became interested in ways of alleviating human suffering. He noticed when he made certain moves on a body it had particular effects. He developed the technique without training in any health care field.
I was drawn to the Bowen technique due to the philosophy of “less is more.”
During a session, several moves are performed in a choreographed order with set breaks between moves. The patient is fully clothed and lying face down on a massage table. Treatments initially are once per seven days, with the treatments continuing to work during the week. The goal is the permanent reversal of pain, assuming re-injury has not occurred. If the pain has not started to shift at the end of five sessions, there is a re-evaluation to determine if Bowen is in fact the correct treatment for this condition or if there is in fact an underlying condition preventing healing from occurring.
Additional reasons for chronic pain aside from structural imbalance could include:
•Adrenal insufficiency: The hormone cortisol helps us respond to the demands on our body during times of prolonged stress or chronic pain. It is our body’s main anti-inflammatory hormone.
When cortisol levels drop after patients experience prolonged periods of elevated stress or pain, the body can respond with chronic pain and inflammation.
•Thyroid function: The thyroid gland produces hormones, which are responsible for our metabolism. Low thyroid function can be one of the main underlying causes of chronic pain, and possibly the reason repeated massages, adjustments, and Bowen treatments are required. In some instances, if the bodywork treatment you are currently undergoing is only providing relief with repeated sessions, adrenals and thyroid status may be worth investigating.
•Food sensitivities and toxic burden: Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins and heavy metals can result in chronic pain and inflammation, water retention and muscle rigidity. It is common that certain foods can trigger an inflammatory reaction in the body. I have found gluten to be one of the major disruptors of the central nervous system. When I am treating nervous system issues and nerve related pain, I always consider an underlying gluten sensitivity. Individualized detoxification protocols and food sensitivity testing may be essential to reverse the chronic pain and inflammation in certain individuals.
As in nature, every organism is self-regulating. There is always an underlying reason for the pain or inflammation. It is our body’s natural defense mechanisms, trying to immobilize the joint and protect the injured area. Often anti-inflammatories such as steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories will mask this healing process and the “dis-ease” process will spread deeper in the body.
The Bowen technique is phenomenal for treatment of chronic pain from motor vehicle accidents. These have been my most successful cases. Chronic pain of sciatica, sports injuries, constipation, digestion, hernias, neck injuries, frozen shoulder, nerve pain, tendonitis, infertility, PMS, hormone imbalance, scoliosis pain, just to name a few.
The Bowen technique has amazed practitioners of all disciplines and can be an integral part of a successful treatment plan for healing chronic pain and inflammation. Although it is not a new technique it is still fairly unheard of in Canada. For more information see www.bowtech.com, and spread the word to family and friends across Canada.
Dr. Neetu Dhiman is a naturopathic physician and certified advanced Bowen therapist. drdhiman@yourbriohealth.com
28 September 2008
Sunday is my rest day
Well it has been a while since I have updated readers, therefore as its Sunday my day of rest, what better time than now to tell you what’s been happening of late. I am please to say I have now moved back into a ground floor building, sharing the reception area, although I am not in the main office with the rest of my team I am happy to be back at ground zero and safe in the knowledge that I don’t have to worry about the lift breaking down, which in turn allows me to concentrate fully once again on my work and not whether I am going to have to be lifted out, so it is best all round and I am happy again.
How are other things, well Mum is doing really well and is walking longer distances, not only that but she is able to stand unaided for a couple of seconds, which is fantastic, to her it probably feels a life time but I am so proud of how far she has come in a short space of time. Last week Mum and I went to see my Granddad in the wheelchair accessible taxi, I use the same taxi to go to work and believe me it turns a few heads while its on the road, not only because people seem fascinated when they see a wheelchair coming down the ramps, but more so because it is bright blue with big flowers on it. I know what you might be thinking “why has it got big flowers on it ?” and to answer this its that its to advertise the Smoke Free campaign, the company have nicknamed it the love bus as it just looks like one of those buses from the 60’s. Granddad thought it was great, I think it impressed him that we could travel in our chairs.
This week as been great in terms of my Physiotherapy I have been doing a lot of work in the gym, both on the machines and doing different exercises with some of the smaller equipment, this weeks challenge was to test my sitting balance a step further, to do this I needed to sit on the wobble cushion, this is a task in itself, but anyway this week I was given a dumbbell to try. The ideas being that I had to remain on the cushion and slowly lift the dumbbell straight up till my arm was straight and then bring it down slowly, I managed two sets of 10 and only wobbled once, but it didn’t throw my balance complete which was good. My Physio was really pleased as to how much my balance has improved, even from two weeks ago.
Following this I went into the bars and did some work on side bending, which I find a little hard work, mainly because I have always thought that when you have a metal rod in spine you can’t bend in this way, but I now realise that since my Bowen therapy it is possible to do this. Although I can’t fully bend granted I can bend a certain amount, and that certain amount is enough to be able to carry out the exercise and feel the benefit, and that’s what it’s about.
I then had a walk in the gym on my crutches, and it was like walking on air, I was hardly putting any weight through my crutches and yet it felt like I was running and again my Physio was impressed.
I asked the question that if I am able to walk like this without weight baring with crutches what is stopping me from dropping them and just walking away so to speak, and initially we both aren’t sure but we going to do some research and investigation and see if we can come up with the answer. We then went back into the bars to do some balance work taking one hand off and putting it back, and then the surprise came in that we tested the balance a step further and was asked “if I was to stand and balance holding with one hand which hand would I use,?” I replied that it would be my left hand, “ok then lets try something” “take hold of the bar with your left hand organise your body so you are standing straight and then see if you can walk along just holding with that hand and try and put other hand down beside you”
I did this and walked up the bars and turned and walked back and we were both impressed, so much so that she went into the therapy area to see if my Bowen therapist was available to come and see what a massive improvement was going on, so when he came into the Gym I set off in the bars again and turned and came back to him, he was beaming, I haven’t seen him for a while now but he agreed that something special was starting to occur. I then walked to him on my crutches and the first thing he had noticed was that I wasn’t leaning as far forward compared to when he last saw me walking, which is great. I can’t wait to go back in 2 weeks to see how far I have progressed again.
How are other things, well Mum is doing really well and is walking longer distances, not only that but she is able to stand unaided for a couple of seconds, which is fantastic, to her it probably feels a life time but I am so proud of how far she has come in a short space of time. Last week Mum and I went to see my Granddad in the wheelchair accessible taxi, I use the same taxi to go to work and believe me it turns a few heads while its on the road, not only because people seem fascinated when they see a wheelchair coming down the ramps, but more so because it is bright blue with big flowers on it. I know what you might be thinking “why has it got big flowers on it ?” and to answer this its that its to advertise the Smoke Free campaign, the company have nicknamed it the love bus as it just looks like one of those buses from the 60’s. Granddad thought it was great, I think it impressed him that we could travel in our chairs.
This week as been great in terms of my Physiotherapy I have been doing a lot of work in the gym, both on the machines and doing different exercises with some of the smaller equipment, this weeks challenge was to test my sitting balance a step further, to do this I needed to sit on the wobble cushion, this is a task in itself, but anyway this week I was given a dumbbell to try. The ideas being that I had to remain on the cushion and slowly lift the dumbbell straight up till my arm was straight and then bring it down slowly, I managed two sets of 10 and only wobbled once, but it didn’t throw my balance complete which was good. My Physio was really pleased as to how much my balance has improved, even from two weeks ago.
Following this I went into the bars and did some work on side bending, which I find a little hard work, mainly because I have always thought that when you have a metal rod in spine you can’t bend in this way, but I now realise that since my Bowen therapy it is possible to do this. Although I can’t fully bend granted I can bend a certain amount, and that certain amount is enough to be able to carry out the exercise and feel the benefit, and that’s what it’s about.
I then had a walk in the gym on my crutches, and it was like walking on air, I was hardly putting any weight through my crutches and yet it felt like I was running and again my Physio was impressed.
I asked the question that if I am able to walk like this without weight baring with crutches what is stopping me from dropping them and just walking away so to speak, and initially we both aren’t sure but we going to do some research and investigation and see if we can come up with the answer. We then went back into the bars to do some balance work taking one hand off and putting it back, and then the surprise came in that we tested the balance a step further and was asked “if I was to stand and balance holding with one hand which hand would I use,?” I replied that it would be my left hand, “ok then lets try something” “take hold of the bar with your left hand organise your body so you are standing straight and then see if you can walk along just holding with that hand and try and put other hand down beside you”
I did this and walked up the bars and turned and walked back and we were both impressed, so much so that she went into the therapy area to see if my Bowen therapist was available to come and see what a massive improvement was going on, so when he came into the Gym I set off in the bars again and turned and came back to him, he was beaming, I haven’t seen him for a while now but he agreed that something special was starting to occur. I then walked to him on my crutches and the first thing he had noticed was that I wasn’t leaning as far forward compared to when he last saw me walking, which is great. I can’t wait to go back in 2 weeks to see how far I have progressed again.
16 August 2008
Pain Relief with Bowen Therapy
Bowen Therapist Dr. Heidi Rootes from Vitality Clinic in Vancouver talks about how Bowen therapy can help relieve a variety of different pains, from muscle cramps to severe sciatica.
15 August 2008
Physio goes to new heights
My Physio sessions seems to be taking me to new heights, following my Bowen therapy I am feeling really good and I cant believe how much more flexible I am, I know that might sound daft when I have a metal rod in my spine but to be honest its as if I don’t have my spine fused because I can move better than I ever have. This week I went back to see my regular physio so that we could have a catch up and a one on one session to see where we were at. At the beginning we had a long discussion about how I was feeling in general and I also talked about how felt concerned still that I was rotating from my pelvis still and that I wasn’t too happy, because I hadn’t rotated since well before my spine op and as a result I was concerned I was doing something wrong.
It actually turned out that the rotation I am experiencing is something quite normal and natural, although my spine is fused from mid to lower the top half is fine and it is that part of my spine that is allowing the movement to happen. I have not experienced this before now because my body has been locked up so therefore no messages were getting through to allow normal movement, and since having Bowen, my body has completely unlocked and my muscles are now functioning as they should of done all the time, so consequently I am now experiencing new body movements and sensations that everyone has when they move there body. I therefore don’t need to worry anymore just accept that its perfectly ok to do what I am doing, and above all enjoy the new experiences it gives me, I have to say it is nice not to be restricted anymore and movement is great!!!
We then went into the gym and I did some strength work on some of the machines and I have to say I haven’t been able to use the machines before because of the high risk of the movements causing a spasm but this time I was working out with the other people in there with the help of my Physio and it felt really good, although she warned me that I might ache and bit a bit sore, but again this is exactly what other people feel when they first go to the gym. I have to say that I do ache a little bit but I am not concerned I just enjoying the freedom.
It actually turned out that the rotation I am experiencing is something quite normal and natural, although my spine is fused from mid to lower the top half is fine and it is that part of my spine that is allowing the movement to happen. I have not experienced this before now because my body has been locked up so therefore no messages were getting through to allow normal movement, and since having Bowen, my body has completely unlocked and my muscles are now functioning as they should of done all the time, so consequently I am now experiencing new body movements and sensations that everyone has when they move there body. I therefore don’t need to worry anymore just accept that its perfectly ok to do what I am doing, and above all enjoy the new experiences it gives me, I have to say it is nice not to be restricted anymore and movement is great!!!
We then went into the gym and I did some strength work on some of the machines and I have to say I haven’t been able to use the machines before because of the high risk of the movements causing a spasm but this time I was working out with the other people in there with the help of my Physio and it felt really good, although she warned me that I might ache and bit a bit sore, but again this is exactly what other people feel when they first go to the gym. I have to say that I do ache a little bit but I am not concerned I just enjoying the freedom.
11 August 2008
Holistic living
Changing the Landscape of our Bodies
by Karin Twohig
As a veteran body worker of over 25 years, I have discovered that it is completely possible to change the patterns of our bodies. Bowenwork, a revolutionary healing modality (named in July 2004 as one of “the most innovative body therapies” by O The Oprah Magazine) transforms the landscape of the entire body by reminding us of its original blueprint of perfect health. Bowenwork adjusts tension levels by working through the nervous system and releasing tissue memory that holds the structure restricted or frozen. This allows the structure itself to change its holding patterns that determine what the body landscape looks like.
After 13 years as a deep tissue massage therapist, I discovered that Bowenwork not only could change the body using no force, but could also integrate the information on a deeper level. This has changed my life. Now, 14 years later, I use Bowenwork exclusively and have been teaching it for the past eight years to chiropractors, physical therapists, nurses, massage therapists, MDs and lay people alike.
Tom Bowen developed the unique healing system of Bowenwork in Australia about forty years ago. He developed his technique without having previous formal training in any modality or discipline. He saw his work as “a gift from God.” Bowen continued to develop and refine the technique throughout his lifetime by performing about 13,000 treatments a year.
Bowenwork involves gentle, yet powerful movements on muscle and connective tissue, and may be done through clothing. These movements prompt soft tissue release, sending neurological impulses to the brain. Because the impulses travel through the internal nervous system pathways, they stimulate whole brain responses which address every system in the body—internal organ systems, as well as musculo-skeletal structure.
By selecting appropriate combinations and sequences of moves, the Bowen practitioner is able to address the body as a whole while targeting more specific problems. Healing occurs by affecting the body’s autonomic nervous system, which creates homeostasis at the cellular level.
Pauses are inserted between sets of these moves, which allow the brain to process and send messages to realign the body. It is thought that because the entire brain is stimulated, the original genetic pattern is re-awakened, releasing more recent injuries and compensation patterns even years after the original injury.
Respecting these pauses is an essential component of Bowenwork because they give the body sufficient time to remember and restore its own healthy, natural balance. They also allow the practitioner to work on multiple clients simultaneously. The gentleness of the Bowen Technique protects the therapist from overuse injury, while providing positive results and lasting effects for the client.
Treatments are individualized, generally lasting 60 minutes. Traumas, old injuries and chronic pain begin to unwind. Typically there is rapid change after addressing acute conditions and a steady improvement of chronic conditions. Bowenwork frequently triggers surprising and unexpected recoveries, even when nothing else has been successful.
Often only a few sessions are needed to alleviate long-standing complaints, whether they are structural or functional. Many people choose to have monthly or quarterly maintenance sessions once their initial complaint is addressed. It is ideal to have a session as soon after an injury as possible, before the body begins to compensate.
Dr. Robert Rowen’s Second Opinion Newsletter headlined Bowenwork therapy in July 2003 as “the gentlest, most effective pain therapy ever.” People throughout the world have found lasting relief from lower back pain, sciatica, sports injuries, sprains, knee pain, shoulder restrictions, carpal tunnel, whiplash, migraines, headaches, TMJ, chronic sinus infections, fibromyalgia, chronic stress, neurological and digestive problems and countless other conditions.
Bowenwork is completely safe and appropriate for everyone—from highly trained athletes to newborns, pregnant women, the elderly and the chronically ill. The most common reaction to Bowenwork is a deep sense of overall relaxation, relief from muscular tension and pain, and a heightened sense of well being.
Karin Twohig is a Bowen Practitioner and Instructor. Contact her to learn this unique Australian healing system at 831.238.2228 or visit www.bowenworkschool.com. Or visit the international website of the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia www.bowtech.com.
by Karin Twohig
As a veteran body worker of over 25 years, I have discovered that it is completely possible to change the patterns of our bodies. Bowenwork, a revolutionary healing modality (named in July 2004 as one of “the most innovative body therapies” by O The Oprah Magazine) transforms the landscape of the entire body by reminding us of its original blueprint of perfect health. Bowenwork adjusts tension levels by working through the nervous system and releasing tissue memory that holds the structure restricted or frozen. This allows the structure itself to change its holding patterns that determine what the body landscape looks like.
After 13 years as a deep tissue massage therapist, I discovered that Bowenwork not only could change the body using no force, but could also integrate the information on a deeper level. This has changed my life. Now, 14 years later, I use Bowenwork exclusively and have been teaching it for the past eight years to chiropractors, physical therapists, nurses, massage therapists, MDs and lay people alike.
Tom Bowen developed the unique healing system of Bowenwork in Australia about forty years ago. He developed his technique without having previous formal training in any modality or discipline. He saw his work as “a gift from God.” Bowen continued to develop and refine the technique throughout his lifetime by performing about 13,000 treatments a year.
Bowenwork involves gentle, yet powerful movements on muscle and connective tissue, and may be done through clothing. These movements prompt soft tissue release, sending neurological impulses to the brain. Because the impulses travel through the internal nervous system pathways, they stimulate whole brain responses which address every system in the body—internal organ systems, as well as musculo-skeletal structure.
By selecting appropriate combinations and sequences of moves, the Bowen practitioner is able to address the body as a whole while targeting more specific problems. Healing occurs by affecting the body’s autonomic nervous system, which creates homeostasis at the cellular level.
Pauses are inserted between sets of these moves, which allow the brain to process and send messages to realign the body. It is thought that because the entire brain is stimulated, the original genetic pattern is re-awakened, releasing more recent injuries and compensation patterns even years after the original injury.
Respecting these pauses is an essential component of Bowenwork because they give the body sufficient time to remember and restore its own healthy, natural balance. They also allow the practitioner to work on multiple clients simultaneously. The gentleness of the Bowen Technique protects the therapist from overuse injury, while providing positive results and lasting effects for the client.
Treatments are individualized, generally lasting 60 minutes. Traumas, old injuries and chronic pain begin to unwind. Typically there is rapid change after addressing acute conditions and a steady improvement of chronic conditions. Bowenwork frequently triggers surprising and unexpected recoveries, even when nothing else has been successful.
Often only a few sessions are needed to alleviate long-standing complaints, whether they are structural or functional. Many people choose to have monthly or quarterly maintenance sessions once their initial complaint is addressed. It is ideal to have a session as soon after an injury as possible, before the body begins to compensate.
Dr. Robert Rowen’s Second Opinion Newsletter headlined Bowenwork therapy in July 2003 as “the gentlest, most effective pain therapy ever.” People throughout the world have found lasting relief from lower back pain, sciatica, sports injuries, sprains, knee pain, shoulder restrictions, carpal tunnel, whiplash, migraines, headaches, TMJ, chronic sinus infections, fibromyalgia, chronic stress, neurological and digestive problems and countless other conditions.
Bowenwork is completely safe and appropriate for everyone—from highly trained athletes to newborns, pregnant women, the elderly and the chronically ill. The most common reaction to Bowenwork is a deep sense of overall relaxation, relief from muscular tension and pain, and a heightened sense of well being.
Karin Twohig is a Bowen Practitioner and Instructor. Contact her to learn this unique Australian healing system at 831.238.2228 or visit www.bowenworkschool.com. Or visit the international website of the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia www.bowtech.com.
01 August 2008
Bowen Connections
I had my final session of Bowen this week and now I am having a break from it to be able to go back to my regular physiotherapy. The plan is to see if I can maintain the amazing effects it has had on my body. During the session I explained that following the movement on my coccyx I had experienced a feeling that I can only describe as me being a bottle of lemonade that had been shook and the top been taken off. It was an amazingly strange feeling that lasted a couple of days. He thought that was good because its the one moment that has an effect on the whole body and by was he right, I then went onto explain about the rotation that I mentioned in my last entry, and he thought that might be just my bodies reaction to the new alignment and is ok, he went on to explain that I am slightly different in how I react compare to others, in that with me, there are a lot of things that wont change because that’s the way my body is eg the metal in my spine and my leg that is fused straight, although with me its been a case of sort of striping back the many levels so that body can learn and understand that things are different, and that my body is more aware of the changes and know when I am doing something wrong.
We started off the session as we always do and he said that my back and legs were so amazingly good, that I had been able to maintain the tissue change which is great. As far as he is concerned all the high tone and spascity has gone and my body is moving within normal ranges. This means that my body is the same now as someone who is not disabled; I have to say I agree because I can move so much easily and have no tightness or spasm worries at all. It pleases me no end because it has allowed me to work outside the box in that I am only restricted in the sense of the metal in my back and my leg being straight, other than that I can move within normal ranges and further, without any tonal reactions, and I feel really good. I ask the question whether I had changed since starting this treatment, and the reply was yes you are a totally different person, and if I continue to do the things I am doing that then we have WON the battle!!!!!!!
We started off the session as we always do and he said that my back and legs were so amazingly good, that I had been able to maintain the tissue change which is great. As far as he is concerned all the high tone and spascity has gone and my body is moving within normal ranges. This means that my body is the same now as someone who is not disabled; I have to say I agree because I can move so much easily and have no tightness or spasm worries at all. It pleases me no end because it has allowed me to work outside the box in that I am only restricted in the sense of the metal in my back and my leg being straight, other than that I can move within normal ranges and further, without any tonal reactions, and I feel really good. I ask the question whether I had changed since starting this treatment, and the reply was yes you are a totally different person, and if I continue to do the things I am doing that then we have WON the battle!!!!!!!
25 July 2008
Upon Reflection
Well what an interesting week I have had and a busy one at that, Town Centre Management is always busy no matter what time of year it is, although this year it seems particularly busy not only because of The Stockton International Riverside Festival starting next week, but the mad preparations for our Christmas festival. Now I know some of you might be thinking organising Christmas in July but you would be surprised how soon we have to start this. In fact no sooner does it finish at Christmas we start planning the next one, and we always aim to be bigger and better than the last. We also have our Farmers market again this month and I am hoping the weather we are having at the moment stays for next week, as I know it has been very popular.
I know I was talking to my manager and we were discussing how busy we were and she was saying that recently she was getting hope and thinking wow how do we manage to cope with being so busy, and I said, I am not sure, but some how we do manage it, then she said that she was thinking of me one particular night and thinking why am I moaning just look at Susie she does it, she copes so if she can cope then the rest of us should, “you are an example to us all” I was quite touched by this and at first I didn’t really think about it, but then during one of my reflective moments, I thought ah I have actually achieved one of my life goals in that one moment, what I mean is if I have moved and inspired someone to take a step back from life and see that no matter how hard it becomes there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, it proves that I have inspired someone to see that in life above all adversity, that you can take stock and carry on and find the solution to what’s facing you, you just have to step back everyone and then and re group.
That is a major thing that I have learnt in my life, that ok when you have the confidence you motor like a train and run with it, but in actual fact when you run with it, do you start to loose what you are aiming for. Here is an example of what I mean, this week I have had a break from my Bowen therapy and I have had an intense session with my own Physio, to see how I was progressing. I am glad I had this session because I seem to of had a lot of changes happen to my whole body alignment and gait pattern, and therefore we had to assess the changes and make some changes to things. Anyway I have got some work to do with my gait and positioning as I have some rotation, it seems that I am rotating when walking from my trunk, which needs correcting.
During the session going back to my confidence when I really think about what I am doing I have a really strong control and can virtually stop the rotation but once I get confidence and start running off with it I go back to my old ways and loose the control a little, when we did some work in the bars I had 2 Physio’s with me and that was because my Physio wanted to get me to understand the difference in position because with me I have to actually be moved into that position and then passively moved through it for me to understand it. Now when I talk about understanding I don’t mean when someone asks me to do something or asks a question and then says have I understood it, I mean for my brain to understand what is being asked to do eg is the brain allowing the movement signal to connect. Once this has happened you can physically see that my brain has connected it is quite an amazing thing to see, because I have gone from moving like I always have done, to moving in completely in a different way. This is why I have to regroup all the time so to speak so that I get the correct messages to allow me to move in a normal way, and allow me to achieve my fully potential.
I know I was talking to my manager and we were discussing how busy we were and she was saying that recently she was getting hope and thinking wow how do we manage to cope with being so busy, and I said, I am not sure, but some how we do manage it, then she said that she was thinking of me one particular night and thinking why am I moaning just look at Susie she does it, she copes so if she can cope then the rest of us should, “you are an example to us all” I was quite touched by this and at first I didn’t really think about it, but then during one of my reflective moments, I thought ah I have actually achieved one of my life goals in that one moment, what I mean is if I have moved and inspired someone to take a step back from life and see that no matter how hard it becomes there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, it proves that I have inspired someone to see that in life above all adversity, that you can take stock and carry on and find the solution to what’s facing you, you just have to step back everyone and then and re group.
That is a major thing that I have learnt in my life, that ok when you have the confidence you motor like a train and run with it, but in actual fact when you run with it, do you start to loose what you are aiming for. Here is an example of what I mean, this week I have had a break from my Bowen therapy and I have had an intense session with my own Physio, to see how I was progressing. I am glad I had this session because I seem to of had a lot of changes happen to my whole body alignment and gait pattern, and therefore we had to assess the changes and make some changes to things. Anyway I have got some work to do with my gait and positioning as I have some rotation, it seems that I am rotating when walking from my trunk, which needs correcting.
During the session going back to my confidence when I really think about what I am doing I have a really strong control and can virtually stop the rotation but once I get confidence and start running off with it I go back to my old ways and loose the control a little, when we did some work in the bars I had 2 Physio’s with me and that was because my Physio wanted to get me to understand the difference in position because with me I have to actually be moved into that position and then passively moved through it for me to understand it. Now when I talk about understanding I don’t mean when someone asks me to do something or asks a question and then says have I understood it, I mean for my brain to understand what is being asked to do eg is the brain allowing the movement signal to connect. Once this has happened you can physically see that my brain has connected it is quite an amazing thing to see, because I have gone from moving like I always have done, to moving in completely in a different way. This is why I have to regroup all the time so to speak so that I get the correct messages to allow me to move in a normal way, and allow me to achieve my fully potential.
16 July 2008
Bowen Movements
Today I have had an intensive Bowen session, it felt longer than normal, but I don't think it was. Anyway we repeated a lot of the work that we have been doing over the passed couple of weeks because it seems that some of the movements have had the most profound results.
Today I have been on the Unison Strike and therefore not at work, so I managed to fit in an early appointment and it also meant that I could walk to the physio department because usually I go after work and am always in my powerchair, so it was nice to be able to walk in on frame and it also let my therapist see my progress.
I gave him a full run down of everything that had been happening since my last session, and then I showed him the most profound think that had happened and I proceeded to leave go of my frame and stand completely on my own for a short period of time without wobbling!!!
During my session he did some work on my coccyx which was something new and I have to say I feel a bit odd but but great if you see what I mean. It is a weird sensation and my head feels like its going to explode and my legs feel a bit like jelly but I know this will pass and looking forward to the results.
Today I have been on the Unison Strike and therefore not at work, so I managed to fit in an early appointment and it also meant that I could walk to the physio department because usually I go after work and am always in my powerchair, so it was nice to be able to walk in on frame and it also let my therapist see my progress.
I gave him a full run down of everything that had been happening since my last session, and then I showed him the most profound think that had happened and I proceeded to leave go of my frame and stand completely on my own for a short period of time without wobbling!!!
During my session he did some work on my coccyx which was something new and I have to say I feel a bit odd but but great if you see what I mean. It is a weird sensation and my head feels like its going to explode and my legs feel a bit like jelly but I know this will pass and looking forward to the results.
11 July 2008
Bowen going well
Well I have had another session of my Bowen therapy and I have to say with some promising results yet again. For Many years I have always walked with my feet facing inwards slightly, sort of walking on the inside, and have had many AFO's, and they had held them for a while but I was never comfortable with them, so stopped using them. Then since I started weight baring and walking things improved a little and since I have been having Bowen, I have noticed that my feet are becoming more aligned and are flatter on the floor. When I explained this to the therapist he was pleased, and did some work on my ankles this week to help the alignment further.
27 June 2008
Bowen is still working well
Yesterday I had another session of Bowen Therapy after a 2 week break, and I have to say I am feeling really good, my body feels more aligned and I feel so much straighter which is great for me, because I didn't think I would get any straighter with having the rods in my spine, but I am and its proved me wrong, long may it continue I say. What is more my therapist is also pleased because my muscles seem to be more balanced and the tissues seem to be more level and maintaining the improvement. I cant wait for the next session to see what improvements there are still to be made, the more and more I have this therapy the easier my walking seems to be getting.
30 May 2008
Assessment threw up some interesting things
Well I have had 4 sessions of Bowen therapy and I have to say I have seen some positive changes. This week my regular Physiotherapist carried out an assessment, as I have not seen he for a couple of weeks since starting the new therapy, so as you can imagine we were intrigued as to whether or not that had been any major improvements from her perspective, and guess what there have been (which I knew about). firstly she check out my knee flexion, which was a bit tight, although I explained that I had walked a fair bit today so that might be the reason. Anyway she let me settle a bit and tried it again and it was a little easier, so that test we passed, then I proceeded to walk full length on crutches and this is where both Physio's were surprised.
My Bowen therapist firstly because he had not seen me walking, but my main physio, was more pleased, because she had noticed like I have that my trunk is a lot straighter, but not only that she also picked up on the fact that I had less pelvis rotation, which I hadn't noticed, and because of that i wasn't using the rotation to step through making my gait more of a normal pattern.
We then proceeded to the gym and into the bars, where we tested out my ability to step up on the block, and this had also improved quite a bit, but what had surprised me was when I looked into the mirror I had noticed for the first time how much straighter I actually am now, before the therapy I had a definite lean, although I could correct it with some concentration in the passed, this time I didn't have too, which is a great step forward for me.
I then asked if I could test myself and try a walk with some walking sticks, I tried this a few months ago and I managed it but was a bit shaky and I wanted to see if I was still the same, and or if I was able to walk still. Although at first I was shaky, I did manage to walk further that I had originally with the minimal support.
My Bowen therapist firstly because he had not seen me walking, but my main physio, was more pleased, because she had noticed like I have that my trunk is a lot straighter, but not only that she also picked up on the fact that I had less pelvis rotation, which I hadn't noticed, and because of that i wasn't using the rotation to step through making my gait more of a normal pattern.
We then proceeded to the gym and into the bars, where we tested out my ability to step up on the block, and this had also improved quite a bit, but what had surprised me was when I looked into the mirror I had noticed for the first time how much straighter I actually am now, before the therapy I had a definite lean, although I could correct it with some concentration in the passed, this time I didn't have too, which is a great step forward for me.
I then asked if I could test myself and try a walk with some walking sticks, I tried this a few months ago and I managed it but was a bit shaky and I wanted to see if I was still the same, and or if I was able to walk still. Although at first I was shaky, I did manage to walk further that I had originally with the minimal support.
24 May 2008
Bowen is super smashing!!!
Oops that's Jim Bowen, can't beat a bit of bully!!!, I suppose his famous catchphrase does have meaning, because my Bowen therapy is smashing, on talking to my therapist he has said that the results that I have had are profound and out of the group of people that he is treating I seem to be the one who has had quite profound results, and I have to agree with him.
This week he carried out work with my arms and hands to see if my range of movement and general strength could be improved, with me putting a lot of strain through my arms to be able to walk. It came apparent that the movement of my fingers on my left hand were a bit awkward to say the least, so he said to see what results I get over the next couple of days. That was on Thursday and it's now Saturday and I have to say I can move them a little easier, they are not moving as well as my right hand, but that is my dominate hand, but I am hopeful that they will continue to improve.
One thing I did notice yesterday, we went to a restaurant for lunch to celebrate my Manager's birthday, and I ordered Spaghetti Bolognese, and I was supprised that I had coped with eating it, and I didn't spill any, which for me is very good, because I can normally gaurentee that I will spill it down my front.
This week he carried out work with my arms and hands to see if my range of movement and general strength could be improved, with me putting a lot of strain through my arms to be able to walk. It came apparent that the movement of my fingers on my left hand were a bit awkward to say the least, so he said to see what results I get over the next couple of days. That was on Thursday and it's now Saturday and I have to say I can move them a little easier, they are not moving as well as my right hand, but that is my dominate hand, but I am hopeful that they will continue to improve.
One thing I did notice yesterday, we went to a restaurant for lunch to celebrate my Manager's birthday, and I ordered Spaghetti Bolognese, and I was supprised that I had coped with eating it, and I didn't spill any, which for me is very good, because I can normally gaurentee that I will spill it down my front.
01 May 2008
Bowen therapy going really well
Well as form the title you have probably guessed that my therapy is going well. I had my second session yesterday and it really was a gentle put intensive session, covering a lot of work. Firstly I transferred onto the bed, and this is where my Physio could see a difference, in the ease of which I had transferred, I have to say I had not really noticed. I then got into front lying position, which I have always found uncomfortable but bearable this week mind It did seem a little better. Anyway the Physio then started the treatment with the same movements on my spine hips legs and shoulders that I had in the first session, with breaks in between each movement, then I changed to laying on my back and he started to work a lot with my neck as he found last week and this week I was quite tight. There where quite a number of different movements some on my face and jaw.
After the session was over I then walked with him back to my chair and he was really please at how well I was walking with him, considering he had not seen me walked before. I then asked him if he seen an improvement in me and he agreed and said yes, you are becoming more level and there had been some changes in my spine (improvements).
I came home from that session and I felt really quite tired so went to bed early and I think it was one of the best night's sleep I have had in the last few weeks, result!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19 April 2008
My first experience of Bowen Therapy
Well yesterday was my first ever session of Bowen, I have to say I was a little nervous about it, as I don't know a lot about it, but It was an amazing experience. I had to lay on my front, which I find a little hard to do but I was helped to do this. then once I was comfortable I had a number of towels laid over me, covering my back and legs, then the therapist carried out gentle but subtle movements, starting on my back, and then covered me back up and left me for 2 minutes, came back made sure I was ok, then removed the towels and carried out another movement. This went on for quite awhile, with break in between each movements.
I had quite an instant effect in terms that I was quite warm in a matter of minutes this was quite normal and as a result felt really quite relaxed, I think if it had gone on any longer than the hour I would of probably fell asleep.
I have to say I slept really well last night and this morning I feel really good to the point where I had managed to slice a banana onto my cereal, which normally is something that I haven't been able to do.
I had quite an instant effect in terms that I was quite warm in a matter of minutes this was quite normal and as a result felt really quite relaxed, I think if it had gone on any longer than the hour I would of probably fell asleep.
I have to say I slept really well last night and this morning I feel really good to the point where I had managed to slice a banana onto my cereal, which normally is something that I haven't been able to do.
13 April 2008
The Bowen Technique
The Bowen Technique is one version of a group of technical interpretations of the work of Australian self-proclaimed osteopath Tom Bowen (1916–1982) known as Bowen Therapy, which is a holistic system of healing. The Bowen Technique was limited to Australia until 1986, when it was named, and introduced to other countries by Oswald Rentsch, who observed Bowen at work one morning a week for two years.
It has since been developed and furthered by many others and is now one of the nine therapies involved in the move towards voluntary self regulation in the United Kingdom. The three other surviving students of Tom Bowen — Keith Davis, Kevin Ryan and Romney Smeeton — have methodologies that vary significantly from the way Oswald Rentsch teaches the technique. Dr Kevin Ryan teaches his interpretation of the Bowen Technique to osteopathic students at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Methodology
The Bowen Technique involves a gentle, rolling motion, with very light touches. The rolls claim to either tighten or loosen off muscles depending on the way the move is done.
The practitioner will stimulate sets of points, often with two minute pauses, supposedly to allow the body to use the move and integrate it into the body's system. The Bowen Technique is not a form of massage, though it does claim to release areas of built-up stress in the muscles, and clients describe experiences of profound relaxation after a session, often falling asleep after the first few moves.
A view held by some Bowen Therapists is that the specific way that Bowen Technique addresses the muscles stimulates the stretch and golgi tendon reflexes as well as joint proprioceptors in a way that heightens the sensory awareness of the body in the area worked on. This can lead to strange sensations such as heat release, tingling and a general increased awareness of the areas being worked.
These sensations are sometimes mistakenly associated with some form of "energy healing". Through increasing sensory awareness the move taps into the body’s ability to self regulate which, in turn, practitioners claim stimulate the body to heal itself.
It is widely accepted by those defining Bowen for the regulation process, that Bowen is a stand alone therapy, not mixed with other treatments. Bowen himself was very specific about his clients not receiving other treatments for at least seven days after a Bowen session and did not perform any other therapies himself.
Since 1998 the technique has become increasingly used in primary care settings in the UK, with many chartered physiotherapists using the technique in hospitals, hospices and other funded health settings.
Research
To date only three experimental studies have been performed that have collected data following treatment of the Bowen Technique. Firstly a study by Kinnear and Baker (1999) was performed, entitled Frozen Shoulder Research Programme. This study considered the effects of Bowen on shoulder flexibility and pain. The study showed significant improvements (p<0.05) in shoulder flexibility compared with the control group. Changes in complaints of pain were not tested statistically. Lack of ethical, methodological and analytical detail in this study draws caution to the strength of inference from the findings.
A further study by Whitaker et al (1999) investigated the effect of heart rate variability and ANS changes in subjects treated with Bowen. Two groups were treated - those with medically diagnosed fibromyalgia (n=7), and a group without pathology or symptoms (n=11). The results showed a significant change in HRV in the fibromyalgia group but not in the asymptomatic group, mainly demonstrating a decrease in heart rate. All subjects in the former group reported some relief in symptoms. However, three of the fibromyalgia group were used for more than one reading, resulting in 11 sets of data per group, thereby raising issues of methodological bias. Furthermore with no control or placebo group, HRV comparisons are not possible, giving rise to questions of validity.
The first properly conducted study, with approval from ethics and applying strict methodology using The Bowen Technique has now been completed and was accepted for presentation at the First International Fascia Research Congress in Boston in October 2007 This examined the effect of The Bowen Technique on Hamstring flexibility in asymptomatic individuals and was conducted by Michelle Marr BSc (Hons) PT MCSP, senior lecturer at Coventry University and Julian Baker Principal Instructor of The European College of Bowen Studies.
Application
A typical session takes place over 30 to 45 minutes, with occasional 2-5 minute breaks during the session to allow the body to respond to the treatment. Sessions are usually part of a series of three to five sessions, beginning with general stress loading points such as the lower and upper back, before moving on to problem areas specific to the person being treated. However, for the sensitive individual, a session can last only 10-15 minutes. The Bowen Technique has allegedly been successfully used on animals as well, and practitioners of Bowen Technique for animals can be found all over the world. The Bowen
It has since been developed and furthered by many others and is now one of the nine therapies involved in the move towards voluntary self regulation in the United Kingdom. The three other surviving students of Tom Bowen — Keith Davis, Kevin Ryan and Romney Smeeton — have methodologies that vary significantly from the way Oswald Rentsch teaches the technique. Dr Kevin Ryan teaches his interpretation of the Bowen Technique to osteopathic students at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Methodology
The Bowen Technique involves a gentle, rolling motion, with very light touches. The rolls claim to either tighten or loosen off muscles depending on the way the move is done.
The practitioner will stimulate sets of points, often with two minute pauses, supposedly to allow the body to use the move and integrate it into the body's system. The Bowen Technique is not a form of massage, though it does claim to release areas of built-up stress in the muscles, and clients describe experiences of profound relaxation after a session, often falling asleep after the first few moves.
A view held by some Bowen Therapists is that the specific way that Bowen Technique addresses the muscles stimulates the stretch and golgi tendon reflexes as well as joint proprioceptors in a way that heightens the sensory awareness of the body in the area worked on. This can lead to strange sensations such as heat release, tingling and a general increased awareness of the areas being worked.
These sensations are sometimes mistakenly associated with some form of "energy healing". Through increasing sensory awareness the move taps into the body’s ability to self regulate which, in turn, practitioners claim stimulate the body to heal itself.
It is widely accepted by those defining Bowen for the regulation process, that Bowen is a stand alone therapy, not mixed with other treatments. Bowen himself was very specific about his clients not receiving other treatments for at least seven days after a Bowen session and did not perform any other therapies himself.
Since 1998 the technique has become increasingly used in primary care settings in the UK, with many chartered physiotherapists using the technique in hospitals, hospices and other funded health settings.
Research
To date only three experimental studies have been performed that have collected data following treatment of the Bowen Technique. Firstly a study by Kinnear and Baker (1999) was performed, entitled Frozen Shoulder Research Programme. This study considered the effects of Bowen on shoulder flexibility and pain. The study showed significant improvements (p<0.05) in shoulder flexibility compared with the control group. Changes in complaints of pain were not tested statistically. Lack of ethical, methodological and analytical detail in this study draws caution to the strength of inference from the findings.
A further study by Whitaker et al (1999) investigated the effect of heart rate variability and ANS changes in subjects treated with Bowen. Two groups were treated - those with medically diagnosed fibromyalgia (n=7), and a group without pathology or symptoms (n=11). The results showed a significant change in HRV in the fibromyalgia group but not in the asymptomatic group, mainly demonstrating a decrease in heart rate. All subjects in the former group reported some relief in symptoms. However, three of the fibromyalgia group were used for more than one reading, resulting in 11 sets of data per group, thereby raising issues of methodological bias. Furthermore with no control or placebo group, HRV comparisons are not possible, giving rise to questions of validity.
The first properly conducted study, with approval from ethics and applying strict methodology using The Bowen Technique has now been completed and was accepted for presentation at the First International Fascia Research Congress in Boston in October 2007 This examined the effect of The Bowen Technique on Hamstring flexibility in asymptomatic individuals and was conducted by Michelle Marr BSc (Hons) PT MCSP, senior lecturer at Coventry University and Julian Baker Principal Instructor of The European College of Bowen Studies.
Application
A typical session takes place over 30 to 45 minutes, with occasional 2-5 minute breaks during the session to allow the body to respond to the treatment. Sessions are usually part of a series of three to five sessions, beginning with general stress loading points such as the lower and upper back, before moving on to problem areas specific to the person being treated. However, for the sensitive individual, a session can last only 10-15 minutes. The Bowen Technique has allegedly been successfully used on animals as well, and practitioners of Bowen Technique for animals can be found all over the world. The Bowen
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