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Bowen Technique
One of
those too good to be true stories |
by Kate Bridges
[Reprinted with permission)
www.Familiesonline.co.uk
The information resource for parents.
When I first heard about
Bowen, it was one of those "too good to be true" type
stories. The symptoms of a long-standing frozen shoulder gone
after only three treatments. I now know that in Bowen circles
these life-changing stories are frequent, and they are for real -
not that Bowen works for everyone - there will always be about 20%
who do not respond to Bowen. But then, that leaves 80% who
have a positive response.
The Bowen Technique is a
gentle, hands on therapy which can safely be used on everyone from
tiny babies to the very frail - it consists of a series of gentle
rolling-type moves over muscle tissue on specific points, mainly on
back, legs and neck. It is non-intrusive and can be performed
over light clothing.
During the course of a
Bowen treatment the practitioner leaves the room at intervals for
two or three minutes to allow the patient's body to respond to this
information. The breaks are an important part of Bowen work
with adults but not normally necessary with children whose bodies
respond quickly to treatment (we have all seen children listless and
feverish in the morning, happily plaing football by teatime!)
What does it treat
best?
Although Bowen is more
typically known for its success in the treatment of neck, back and
shoulder problems, it can be used effectively for a whole range of
physical, emotional and stress related conditions from infant colic
to bedwetting. I have chosen two case studies of typical
childhood complaints to ilustrate.
Constant Colds
E (5) came to me with
constant colds, followed by a persistent cough which would keep her
awake and drag on for a couple of weeks. When the cough did
eventually go, she would pick up another cold two or three weeks
later and the cycle would start again.
The first treatment I
gave E was a "balancing" session, the same gentle moves I
would make on almost anyone during their first treatment, regardless
of ailment.
I saw E one week later
and she had a cold. I made more moves on her head, neck and
upper back. By the third session, the following week E's cold
had gone. E rarely gets a cold these days and when she does,
it clears up quickly.
Bedwetting
T, (7) came to me with a
bedwetting problem. After discussion with T's mother, we
decided to say the treatment was for her frequent bouts of
tonsillitis rather than emphasize the bedwetting to the child.
T would wet the bed four or five times a week, and occasionally more
than once a night.
I asked T's mother to
cut out apples and apple juice form T's diet. T wet the bed
three times the first week. She had really enjoyed her Bowen
session and was looking forward to the next one. After the
second treatment, T wet the bed twice. Following the third
Bowen treatment T was completely dry all week and stayed dry for two
and a half months (she had one accident during this time). T
now has a Bowen "top up" every two to three months.
As a bonus, T has had only one very sore throat in the last year
which would normally have required antibiotics but which cleared up
naturally after 24 hours much to mum's amazement!
Kate Bridges
trained
with the European College of Bowen Studies and also has an ITEC
Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology. She practices at home in
Wimbledon four days a week and runs a Bowen Clinic at a drug
rehabilitation centre every Tuesday. She is a member of the
Bowen Technique European Register and British Complementary Medical
Association.
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