The Bowen Technique

As a Bowen Practitioner for nearly ten years now I have seen more and more people benefiting from trying this not very well known therapy and enjoy lasting results.  Some have had to return for few more top up sessions but generally they have showed and enjoyed better health and well being.

One noticeable point is the release of the aches and pains they arrive with and the sense or feeling that they have grown taller as postural alignment aids the often chronic pain and discomfort they have held in their body for seventeen or twenty years.  A few even more than that.



I'm often asked. Why should I try Bowen?  I often reply.  Why should you accept to remain in pain?

Leaving your body in pain is not a good thing.  The old myth about working through pain is not how you should exercise. Recovery after Spinal, Knee, Hip or Feet operations are monitored by your physiotherapist who will guide you through the often difficult period of first getting back on your feet and feeling confident to weight bear again.  In some cases it's like learning to walk all over again.

You will be given a certain period of recovery and aids with your physiotherapy sessions to get you back on your feet.  But there may still be some scar tissue, aches, pains and discomfort as muscles and tendons continue the inner healing process.  Your outer scar will seem hopefully neat and small for most cases but there are exceptions and as the fascia tissue, muscles, tendons or bones continue with the bodies healing process there may be a lot of discomfort or pain 6-8 weeks later or even 9 months later.  That's when you book your Bowen.  Sorry not quite for you may try a number of therapies before deciding to give the lesser well known Gem a try.

I don't like illness, but some people enjoy and revel in it and others suffer great discomfort and pain for many years without relief in many cases.  When I tried Bowen I could not believe how such gentle moves could orchestrate such responses and experience of self healing realignment programing that encouraged me to find a course and become skilled in this gentle giant of a therapy.

I had purchased a pair of trainers and decided to keep them on for work.  I walked out of the shop to the car park and my whole body shifted as I bent double like an old man.  I could not straighten up and had to drive to work as I had clients in that afternoon.  I did not know how I was going to help them as it was painful and extremely uncomfortable.  I managed to get in the car but wasn't sure if or how I'd get back out again.  It took me 15 minutes to get into work from the car park that normally took about 3.  My colleague suggested Bowen and had done on many occasions but I couldn't fathom how it would have helped my previous niggles.  I'd always gone for Reiki or Massage and Reflexology.

She told me to get on the couch as I couldn't straighten up and would be in no position to do my clients.  I lay on my front and my colleague mad e the first few moves and left the room.  I had an immediate circling motion as if massaging both my hips and upper glutes and a ping sensation the the base of my spine.  I lay as with any therapy open to it but still couldn't work out what was happening.  I had the various responses and sensations that my clients now talk about after their sessions, but then I had this wave affect as if it ocean-ed through my body from feet to head a few times with gentle flow and dispersed.  At the same time I had this vision of a large TV screen and in the film that played out I was with my friends about seven or eight years old standing waiting t jump from top of slide.  This was my third time and I would normally do six or seven jumps from the top impacting my bones and reverberating my spine until teeth chattered.  Strange child.  Even more now.

As I watched me shout Geronimo and hurl to the ground I thought that repetitive impact must have been damaging to my bones.  At the same time it felt as if someone took hold of one leg and then the other and pull them out in a stretch which was slow motion like and weirdest feeling.  My colleague walked back in and my vision went as I asked if she had been pulling on my legs.  She replied: "No that is how Bowen works and often different for everyone and yet common responses happen for similar injuries."  I don't know who was more pleased my colleague because of the results or me as she asked me to turn over which I did without any discomfort.  My session was for about 50 minutes and I was able to work without any twinges that day.  I did experience the common five to ten day affect of responses for at least five days.  This was on and off little niggles further shifting, moving and pulsing as my body continued adjusting my postural and impacting damage.  I felt taller.  Maybe that is what stunted my growth.  I was convinced and ready to study this new therapy which just seemed to good to be true.

Your body is designed to heal and our busy life styles and home, work and family dramas all add to the stress and tension build ups to manifest your aches and pains.  When was the last time you had a day off sick.  If you're like me it was years ago.  The last time you said no to all the demands being put upon you and added to your already overstretched workload.  It may be you have been off on long term sick leave, you may have been made redundant or threat of redundancy is looming.  You may be unemployed, depressed, distressed, angry and frustrated.  Yet the one thing you never do is take time for yourself.  If you do take time of you feel guilty and rush back sometimes too soon.  Your body needs time to recover from operations to work related stress, harassment, or bullying and a host of general aches and pains for head to foot. 

So as with all injuries you should first see your own GP especially if suspected tear, fracture or break because he/she will have knowledge of your medical history and will be able to deal with you better for that reason.   You may have to go to hospital. In fact with a break it may be best because you need to have it reset as soon as possible.  Don't waste valuable time if you can get there go direct to accident and emergency and if not able to weight bear or be taken call an ambulance.  The other good reason for seeing the GP or the Hospital staff is that you will be given pain relief.  It is important to ease the pain and not as some will tell you to do without.  Do not tolerate pain for the sake of it or if you don't Ike or don't normally take anything for pain.  Pain thresholds vary but the body doesn't need to remain in pain but make sure if you are allergic to any medications you inform the Hospital staff.  Your GP should already know but you may have to mention it if seeing another Doctor you don't know.  You may have to wait until the fracture or break is healed approximately 6-8 weeks before going to have your Bowen sessions.  It is also good to keep in mind that if you injure yourself and don't deal with it you may start to experience more problems 6-8 weeks later.  Such as niggling shoulder or stiff neck, upper and lower back ache or niggles

Bowen is good before and after operations and lengthy dental treatment.  It may possibly speed up recovery time and allow you to enjoy better health and wellbeing.  It is often successful with Frozen Shoulder, Backache, Whiplash, Ankle, Knee and Foot problems.

If you've been in pain for 8 weeks to many years...!  What have you got to lose...?

Bowen is safe for everyone from babies (see previous blog) to grandparents.

If unemployed or disabled, autistic experiencing ADHD and been diagnosed or on long term sick leave call  for special rates and course of treatments.  Mob: 07928432436  Quote Blogg91197

Every Body is Better with Bowen...!

Exploding the Myths about Back Pain

Waiting

For a bus or a train...?


No!  For censorship of all but pharmaceutical or medical being the only route to finding relief...!


There are many myths to back pain The most common being you have to live with it...!  Or, it just happens.

Repetitive actions when turning and twisting your body out of its natural shape and wear and tear of muscles tendons and bones contribute over a period of time that may result in severe back ache or spinal injury. 

It is less common for injury to just occur in a one off movement when lifting or moving an object. (It may often be the start of an aching and painful back)  But as an example A footballer or person returning from the Gym work-out who has not cooled down may have muscle tension and then when home go to do that job they have put off for months which means lifting an awkward box from A to B.  (A person should not be moved or weight bared.)  His mate was coming to give him a hand but was late so Macho man does it by himself.  Could pull his back out or tear muscle other deeper tissues or tendon and curses but places box where he wanted it before rubbing and soothing his back.  He may have a serious injury but if first time and left it may be a weakness that shows up again and again as he put pressure on that area.  There may not have been a great big crunch or crack.

However,  a tendon snapping can be as loud or louder than a break.  I was fortunate or not to be near a patient who snapped a tendon in knee as they maneuvered themselves on the bed to sit and transfer to his chair.  It sounded painful and it was.  An ambulance crew came to deal with the injury and he was given pain relief.

Always consult your GP and go to accident and emergency as soon as possible for breaks.  Try and immobilise limb or keep person still if neck or spine until help arrives.

If you have been suffering with back pain more than six to eight weeks try and research yourself for available treatments.  If you have gone years and perhaps even had an operation but still experiencing pain and here I mean after seventeen years or more search out treatments that may help.

I offer Bowen but I allow people to try the taster to see if they get relief of any kind before offering them full course.  I believe we are all designed to maintain our health but get conflicting evidence presented as to this food or that food being good for us or that drink or this drink and so on.  We don't need to live in denial about anything from food to who we are.  Resentment and hatred will fuel your body with toxins and keep you in a state of continuous ill health or frame of mind from depression to thinking you are not worthy to enjoy life.

But we are all born to enjoy life and along the way we excuse and prevent ourselves from experiencing even a tiniest part of that joy for the implanted mundane cycle feels as if it can never be shifted.  Death is eventually a part of our life cycle but there is no need to maintain the quickest route to get there.

Explode your own myths, perceptions, justifications and beliefs.  Take back control of your life and the path you choose to dance along.

Right to Choices

UP

  LEFT                                          RIGHT

DOWN

Simple when the choices are as easy as selecting any of the above.  What complicates things to get us so worked up and feeling that the world is against us?  Or that we have to be punished because we are no good and can't be anything other than greedy, hateful, selfish individuals who can't seem to agree on common ground the simplest of which is below.

BIRTH                                                                                                                                         DEATH

The main point is everyone is born and born equal and able to make the life choices to get us through to the point of being able to die.  There is no fear in this except for the unknown and the concept of fear itself.  It also required a continuity of control in your early life to turn you from the excited and adventurous creative being you arrived to the controlled conformist that you become in order to fit in as some of your peers conform quicker and then they too bully and harass you into being something other than the who you came to be.

How many children feel dejected and rejected by all the put down and faults or failing to grasp the concepts of what is being taught.  For example five children from different race, religion and cultural backgrounds meet at pre-school and the play is full on involved as individuals get to know one another.  Parent may have reservations but at this point children do not.  The same five children go through the first two reception classes and remain close friends but little niggles have been placed in their minds that weren't there before.  Parts or full conversations between parents or older siblings who have already been conditioned and finding the rebellion end of the spectrum no different than the origin to incite control.  The older children or young adults can choose their beliefs and conceive or perceive how they make see and keep friends as the fight with their parents to challenge their authority which had so far been relatively unquestioned.  Younger children are rebelling too as they are told that one or two friends they have are not good for them as they are of different faith, or culture even outright condemnation of Blacks, French or Polish nationalities.  The battles first began when told not to do this or that and developed into rules that were designed to control your creative and imaginative abilities of achieving what ever you desired or hoped as you grew and developed.

A fireman, Policeman, The forces, a Plumber, Painter, Electrician,  A Secretary, Actor/Actress,  a number of possibilities which changed and returned or held true until your teenage years and the battle to win back your individuality began.  In your haste and because of those racing hormones both boys and girls may experience confusion about who they really are and what they really want to be do and say.  Some lose their confidence and retreat inward whilst others grasp their road and means to get there by fishing their education.  The greatest thing about finishing your final exams or college and university is that you always have those results even if you decide to go completely in an opposite direction and away from your first and very real and determined choice of say Solicitor but choosing to take up art your favourite subject all the way through life so far but left on the back burner when doing your law degree.  They get to know what works and what doesn't work.  They get to realise that we do not nor where we born to slave away for most hours in a day or week or month and year.  That we need to be able to enjoy and live our lives free from labels and boxes that the oh so controlling influences want to keep in order to contain the masses.  They assume there would be chaos but if you look at Britain alone where the peoples have until recently enjoyed a great deal of freedom.  You will see there has not been chaos but when they try to impose more and more restraint and constraints on the nation, flare ups of demonstrations and violence increases and yet they want to control you even more now than ever, because they want to have a world government that determines all that you do, will do or can do for the new order they perceive is within their grasp.

It is the future generations that will make the biggest changes but for a time there will be some bigots and steadfast haters of anything that changes the stability of what they have come to believe.  But the beliefs you hold are the very same beliefs told to you and forced on you from as soon after your birth as possible.  Why?  Because even though there are many religions and fear and mistrust of one to another or the so called sects that arose.  If they were following what they professed as Christ like qualities we would not be having such rebellion and outcry against minority groups because we would be accepting of the whole and concept: EVERY BABY BORN IN TO THE WORLD HAS THE RIGHT TO LIVE HIS / HER LIFE WITHOUT FEAR CONTROL OR PUNISHMENT THAT IS PRODUCING INJUSTICE IN HOW THEY WILL BE PERCEIVED.  It is deemed natural preferences which are part of the creative energy source are not to be tolerated and some how worked out of society because it goes against the beliefs that were infringed upon you in your early years.  You cannot have JUSTICE with pre conceived notions or beliefs that something is wrong for the baby born has done nothing but arrive to dance their journey of life.  When we take on attitudes and assumptions on what is right or wrong we stop the creative flow of living energies.

Right and Left are defined just so.  Turn right and left and right again and you will be where you wanted to get to.  Simples:  Right and Wrong however is not as simple.  If you don't want any one to steal from you then don't steal from any one else.  If you want to be treated with respect then treat others with that same respect you desire to be shown to you.  The labels get in the way here for it is not acceptable that a woman or a man is raped.  Therefore it needs no further clarification.  IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.  The justice system has to reflect this and provide means and ways to make the victims experience of reliving the event as painless as possible.  Otherwise the Justice system is harming the person in question again.  The one sure thing to gauge if rape or not is if the victim has declared NO...!  They do not want the sexual advances or intercourse.  Simple as that if the victim has said no and is forced to continue it is rape.  In a so called intelligent and forward thinking society this would not be in question and there certainly would not be doubts if No...! was clearly stated.  Now unless you think you have the right and again here the label RIGHT is used as in English but there are only three rights.  The right to birth the right to be and the right to die.  All other rights are directions you take along the way but the label RIGHT describes nothing else.  He's right and your wrong.  Blacks aren't equal to whites.  Gay or Straight holds no right or wrong, remember birth growth being you (whatever that is for your life's journey)  There is no Right or Wrong in who you are.  With Rape the person has been violated against their will.  However with Success there are both black and white successful business men and women.  Rape although not described with label wrong is not acceptable in a civil society were it is very clear that all individuals hold the same 3 R's. (The right to birth the right to be and the right to die.)

Therefore workers should never have to fight for their rights as they should never be exploited.  Individuals should never have to fight for their rights as they have already by the laws of the universe and birthing process been conceived and delivered with creative forces of being who and what they need to be to move forward mankind and allow acceptance of all who choose to enter this kingdom of fleshly reality and without recourse to ancient and out dated beliefs.  Where did you find Jesus amongst the so called sinners.  So with his forgiveness and love we deliver a greater place to enjoy the art of living with all the colours and shades of colours that create and make us who we are.

A civilised nation on global scale who wants to be at peace, enjoying life with what work we may have to do but in balance with how we need to relax and set aside time to play and enjoy activities from exercise to hobbies and creative ways to improve and enhance the human race.  Priorities such as number of hours we work and amount of time we spend together or with our families we so protest we love so much.  How many hours do we spend getting away from it all or letting our spouse take more responsibility than prepared to do ourselves?  How much time do you take to regain the energy needed to take you through the next week.  Finished on the Friday and cramming in a full weekend or staying in bed a full weekend to save energy for Monday morning.  Monday arrives and you feel like you did when finishing Friday shattered.  Even more so now as it all seems so futile and the dreams you once had are all lying dormant like your creative force and spark of life.

What to do to reignite.  Always get some fresh air and a walk if no other form of exercise is taken.  You walk at your own pace but try to include some stairs and a hill or two. Start with small gradient and work up to steeper gradient after a few months.  There is always the Gym but ask for advice on what you are trying to achieve and tone rather than bulk up muscles.  Try to get someone at the Gym to provide you with a routine for what you are trying to achieve.  Swimming is a great all round exercise routine but don't overdo it go at your own pace and don't try to show off by aiming to stay up with friends partners or others who may be more competitive.  Enjoy whatever you take up from Tennis to Golf and football or Rugby but always deal with injuries before six weeks as they will become chronic and start altering your posture if left without treatment.  With bones it is always best to get them checked out at the local hospital for damage such as fractures or breaks.  Even small fractures can cause you pain and discomfort, but for most breaks it will be apparently painful and non weight bearing.  Even if after an accident you managed to get to hospital for treatment while still suffering from shock.  Following an accident where you have been driving or are a passenger who is suffering from delayed shock or whiplash.  Whiplash may not show up at the time of the accident but 6-8 weeks later or longer and noticeable as aches and pains or neck restrictions develop and start to restrict movement.  The Golden Rule is:  If in doubt.  Always check it out.  Meditation is another good way to relax and help get you to work and play from another stance.  That of your true identity as a unique being.

Then you have The Bowen Technique, Reflexology, Massage and Counselling along with EFT and NLP to aid you back to balance and becoming more centred as to the you that really wants to shine and be, but in the end it is your choice to do something about what is preventing you from enjoying life or not to do anything.  If you want change or more focus or aid for pain and discomfort then try Bowen.  Make the middle of the three rights as you have already achieved Birth and I take it not ready for death which only leaves the right to be and if it helps easing and relieving physical or emotional aches and pains then that is good and will contribute to your perception of how much you have done and how much there is that you can still enjoy.  How your life turns out is in your hands and the choices you make or don't make only affect you and no one else.  You make the choice act and look after yourself and your health above all else.  For what good is striving to care for your family when it works you into an early grave or cram packed work and play that you never take time to relax or listen to your body and more importantly heed its communication.  It is better to be in charge of that than for you to suddenly be stopped in your tracks for failing to notice those signs that had been given to you for quite a while until the mind body and spirit collapsed in an agreed cycle of healing that was much needed but only accepted when forced to confront what you have been doing with what you might want to achieve.

You made the right choice to be born.  You will make the right choice to die.  But not everyone will make the right choice to be because the pace of life gets in the way and everything is always being put off until tomorrow but tomorrow never comes and before you know it the coffin has arrived.  Make your choices and live the way you know is best from the emotional feelings that gauge your existence as a creative in your present form of flesh and blood.  Choose to be and to explore life and enjoy life rather than just existing for the period between birth and death. 

A great way to achieve change is to start with making choices as to what works and what doesn't work for you.  Don't keep doing something because you ave always done it that way.  Don't try and impose on others ways that you keep trying and failing at because its always been done that way.  Look outside the BOX and one treatment out side the Box at present is Bowen Work.

Make all your choices in wisdom which you own from before birthing to the flesh and blood and confusion that has become you at present.  Make all your choices count in getting you to where you truly want to be and with less enslavement to whatever is providing shackles to maintain enslavement over freedom.  Be the unique special and loving creative source you are and always have been.





When nothing pacifies and the cries turn to screams

There is nothing more distressing to a new Mum than to hear the constant cries of her child in distress especially after feeding, changing, burping and pacifying has failed to change the child’s state of expression that something is wrong.

A baby cries differently just as we adjust our tone of voice and posture to get our message across.  The cry of feed me or change me has less postulation than if they are really distressed.  If this was for a feed or to be changed it all resolves quite quickly.  Infants may stop to see if thode sounds of sweet melody have been heard.  They may get themselves stressed because nothing has happened and their crying increases with some help from the limbs they continue to try and get your attention.  These gestures are not over animated but can be affective in showing their displeasure at having to wait. 

Your senses all play a part of the quest to search the cries and determine what the cause might be.  Smell, touch and sight are what follows’ the earache you may now have.  Not to mention the headache or feeling as distressed as they are because you haven’t soothed away their discomfort.  Frantic now and sending the baby your stress at their stressing you stresses them.  The fact remains that even a new mum has maternal and instinctive feelings that propel them into action and eliminate one by one possible causes even if they have to telephone their Mother or indeed the Mother in Law for advice.

You have done all the right things and followed all the advice you’d been given or read about but the baby keeps crying.  So now you need another surge of maternalpompandceremony.  Don’t worry you have it covered.  In the blue print you see.  You are now holding the baby again and soothingly trying to pacify it by talking calmly and softly maybe even singing to them before holding them up to your shoulder and there is an almighty volcanic eruption of wind from both ends and the baby stops crying slowly sobbing until it feels secure and safe again after the excruciating pain it could not fathom or resolve by crying and wriggling about in the cot.  Baby now sleeps a little exhausted and past time for next feed, but all is well.

What if the baby doesn’t break wind and continues in the distressed state, pulling its legs up and bringing in the Mexican wave to drum it home that something is seriously up and  ‘I don’t just want attention or a cuddle or to feel the security of my mother’s arms.’  What then…?

 

A new born infant attunes to sounds over their first few weeks hones and it homes in on mum’s voice in some cases dads too.  It also starts to communicate with coos and goo’s and grunts and groans.  And even being soothed and feeling safe by mum’s constant chatter.  Stirring or jumping at sudden noises such as banging doors and screaming offspring or loud bursts of sound.  They can adjust to sounds quickly and soon settle into that longed for routine. Before they cry they may spend some time with searching eyes for quite some time before crying for that needed attention to feed and change them.

The uttering little coos and goo’s might not have brought mum to them because she is preparing feed or content baby is happy and investigating but not seeing mums face will eventually register with the little one and the crying will begin.  Hungry and needing changed the vocalisation begins.  It can be a mix of soft bouts of crying and waiting to see if mum shows and repeating until she does and the longer it might be may determine the intensity of increase from those hearty little lungs.

Distressed Children

There is a few seconds lull as baby thinks you’ve got the message. That you have recovered them and sound sympathetic and soothing.  Sometimes at this point you may also experience the above after picking the child up.  If that is the case then all is well and baby will go off to sleep again.  If first child this can be quite common for a few weeks to a few months.  There is nothing like your first child nor that knowing and efficiently acting on experience and knowledge with your subsequent offspring.  If there was another way of helping your child to get rid of Colic giving you more peace than earache?  Why would it not be divulged to all new mums?  All too often now Calpol and other baby sleep products are given for a quiet life and the constant sedated state is not a good one for the inquisitive infant on an adventure of a life time.

Two very important words should be introduced at all anti natal classes and for mums to be, mums delivered and birth to seven years at least.  These two words are BOWEN and Cranial Sacral.  Don’t quibble about 3.  You know what I mean.  This was brought home to me recently when treating the parents of a 15 week bundle of joy.  The dad mentioned it first and then later in the afternoon the mum was in for her treatment and we had a chat.  I suggested she try Bowen and if the baby was awake I’d do it then as her husband was calling back to pick her up.  With the lightest of touch I did the upper stoppers and end of respiratory.  I saw the family off and with that “Didn’t seem to do much so what’s that going to achieve?” look upon their faces.  The following week they were both back in for treatments and I had suggested Bowen for them too.  The baby was reported not to have suffered with any more colic and had been sleeping better as well.

Her mum did inform me though that the evening of the Bowen for baby resulted in a lot of burping from both ends and a rather messy present when changing her.  And she was puzzled as to the effectiveness of such gentle moves.  Always and ever ready to demonstrate Bowen in action I had already executed the moves of demonstration shoulder procedure on the dad and now I took the opportunity to help a more than ten year problem with the mums left inner scapulae and shoulder due to working at that time in a call centre.  I also used the time to demonstrate the difference in pressure used for her and that on the Baby.  She admitted to being puzzled at the gentle over in a flash moves made on the baby and the results it had.  The couple had been struggling for two weeks with trying to pacify the baby and followed all the so called ways tried and tested. 

“Do you have a leaflet on the Bowen?” she asked and I provided one suggesting she looked on the website too as there would be more information on how it has been used effectively for Babies to the elderly safely and remarkably with little publicity from those now qualified Doctors who know that exploring other ways of healing are important to those practitioners devoted to aiding better health and wellbeing.  Baby Bowen was a worthwhile course I was privileged to do following my qualifying as practitioner.  They are truly wonderful perfect creatures are our infants and what a great start with their lives when harmonised in perfect balance and realignment if after a difficult birth or in any distress after birth.

I must point out here that there may very well be other distress signs in how your baby or child cries, or vomits.  Pyloric stenosis is a fairly uncommon condition affecting the opening (pylorus) between the stomach and small intestine in infants. It may run in family line skipping a generation and affects mainly sons, although daughters can suffer with it too.  The pylorus is a muscular valve that holds food in the stomach until it is ready for the next stage in the digestive process.  In pyloric stenosis, the pylorus muscles thicken, blocking food from entering the baby's small intestine. Pyloric stenosis can lead to forceful vomiting, dehydration and weight loss. Babies with this condition may seem to always be hungry.  In my case I was the only one of eight children to have experienced this but two of my grandsons and one of my grand-daughters also suffered from the same symptoms and needed an operation to correct it.

 Pyloric stenosis

There is also another problem that should be ruled out with young children and that is a hernia.  The inguinal Hernia is more common in infants and accounts for 80% of the indirect type associated with such complaints.  The Direct type is more common with the elderly and rare in children.  A young child can be in a great deal of discomfort and pain, being told there is nothing wrong with your child or that you are a neurotic mother is no way to handle such symptoms of distress when all avenues and examinations have been carried out.

I had the unfortunate experience but rather fortunate as it turned out to know a lady who was having problems with her young son.  She had been going to her Doctors and the hospital for two years.  They continually told her they could find nothing wrong. The boy was about six months when I first knew them but I didn’t see her as often as my wife did being friends with her.  There were a few occasions where this distraught mother was about to devour something stronger than calpol herself but also still dozing her child as per instructions because they had found nothing wrong.  The child was examined many times but no diagnosis was given.  We were expecting our first child and were asked to babysit.  Our friend found it difficult to get out and to have regular baby sitters because of the constant crying.  Mind you there had been clues when getting changed but as my wife changed his nappy the real McCoy here not the throw away brigade.  I noticed a swelling on his right lower abdomen and it was large.  I cringed in a pain of sympathy and started telling my wife that our friend would have to take him to the hospital and get them to deal with this.  I believe the swelling can come and go and can ease after repositioning baby once fed and changed.  But this would have been hard to miss if seen by GP or Hospital Doctor.

I calmly suggested to or friend to take him and demand they deal with this now for it had been going on for so long.  Our now tearful friend was in remorse for not knowing but how could she the Doctors didn’t even know.  She admitted the swelling had come and gone at times and she had explained but the swelling was not prominent when seen and quite a few times it was brushed off as baby asleep and best not to disturb him too much.  Here is probably a good reason not to use calpol.  If baby sedated and relaxed possibly no discomfort will be felt but when getting changed or depending on how he was held when feeding or comforting him the pains and discomfort returned and so did his screams.  And boy was his lungs in good shape.

She calmed down and composed herself and I suggested she did not let them tell her to give more calpol or that there was no cause for concern. She did and he grew up after a small operation without the discomfort and pain he’d experienced for nearly three years.  This was in 1970/71 I would suspect it would not happen now because there is a lot of information that can often rule out worry and concern but beware for it may add to them too.  Always go to your GP Don’t be afraid about their labelling you as neurotic – and if you don’t get treatment or referral for diagnoses. Change your GP or go to the hospital direct.  You have the right to complain to the medical council too.  No Doctor should be labelling Mothers or Fathers as neurotic.  They are just concerned parents and if first child even more so because the experience is new and the learning process is masterly in action with the best possible teacher: the young infant.

You will know your child and have a bond that unites a form of communication and understanding maternally or paternally for dads can be included.  If your child is screaming and wriggling in pain evaluate and make your decision.  Make good use of your midwife and district nurse at the surgery.  Ask your GP and if you suspect anything ask if it might be that or what he thinks it might be.  Get a diagnosis as soon as possible.  You will know the difference between your Childs cry for food, comfort and changing or interaction and when they are suffering for the screams are more intense and nothing sooths or comfort them.

My mother diagnosed for our Doctor my pyloric stenosis after he continued to say he was at a loss over weeks of my vomiting and weight loss.  He returned to the surgery had a read up on it and called my mum to say an ambulance was on way for her and myself to go to hospital right away. She had been a nurse before getting married.  Doctors may not come across every ailment but they should always give the parents more than a label of being neurotic.

This was all so many years before my discovery of Bowen and the knowing about the constant stream of wellbeing existence.  That’s another story and back then the influences of my mother’s nursing career influenced my thoughts on being a Doctor but over medicating, suicide and my grandfather’s death changed the search for a different way to ease and change pain and suffering.  However, it wasn’t until forty years later that I found Bowen.  So the moral of the story is:  Don’t be a chocoholic but enjoy the chocolate.  Don’t be a workaholic but enjoy what you do and don’t suffer with Colic…!  In all cases Bowen it…!

Bowen will work with the individual blue print that is uniquely you.  No matter what!  You will benefit as your body permits.  Improvements will be realised but expectations may just as over enthusiastic therapists express their faith in Bowen, doubt and fear or lack of understanding of this little gem can fuel the ‘How is that gentle snail pace move going to shift the problem I have in my shoulder, or hip or back…?’  Simples… Bowen is the Gentle Giant of Therapies and while some people prefer massage, reflexology or acupuncture this little giant will take you there and allow you to then decide how you want to maintain your good health and improved posture.  You can have occasional top ups or go back to modality of preference.  No matter what you choose to use as maintenance your Bowen will have instigated changes that you may not realise right away and not connect with a few months down the road when you have changed your job, moved house made that big decision you were putting off until sure of commitment.  You can even have help to conceive, possibly saving a fortune for some and after giving birth or to help baby after a stressful birth or illness early on and if nothing else for the first seven years of their precious little lives.

Mums - Dads – Babies - Toddlers – Even the terrible two three and fours can all benefit – Preteens – Teenagers with repetitive elder terrible twos and threes having tantrums, strops or lacking enthusiasm for life in either work rest or play – Studying for exams – getting back into work – finding a job and lacking confidence and incentives, feeling lethargic and disempowered – Even grandparents can benefit - In fact there are scores of other reasons but maybe you should ask how it will help you?  There may be other modalities that you could be recommended to use along with your sessions.  Like palates is often complementary to your Bowen work.  You may need some counselling or another form of therapy that can be recommended to help with aspects that never need to be discussed with your Bowen practitioner.  If by any other name would it have spread or been accepted more?  No named after Tom Bowen and trusting the process is all you need.  You make the moves and the rest leaves with their shoes.

                                                         

For more information contact Gary direct at: essentialtherapy2@gmail.com

Or visit the website at http://essentialtherapycentre.org

Which Treatment for Me?

How do you choose yours?  Maybe you are one of the people who have never tried any types of complementary or alternative therapy?  You could be a connoisseur of Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic, or Acupuncture and swear by your preference.  How do you choose the right one in the market of abundant therapy treatments on offer?  I have people who love Reflexology and testify to the benefits of the relaxing hour spent with soothing massage and reflex points to their tired feet, but when back report the boost of energy, vitality and stamina lacking before their Reflexology session.  Some enjoy the treatment each week or every two weeks and others monthly or quarterly and they become very inept at knowing when to book their next session if not the few who book up well in advance because they enjoy set treatments over four week cycle.  Many people who say; 'No I couldn't let anyone touch my feet are surprised because the touch is firm but not gripping and even those with ticklish fears are surprised that they can tolerate this art of touch.  There is a belief that those with ticklish feet have something to hide.  I think it is that they secretly love their feet being massaged.  Unless you know differently? 

Massage comes in many forms from Swedish, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue, Sports and Hydro-therm.  They vary in that the touch can be light and soothing, or deep with more firm strokes but should never really be painful although some people will experience some discomfort.  Like the myth of working through your pain or when heavily sedated by painkillers when you don't know what further tissue damage you might cause. A massage should never be so uncomfortable that you suffer great pain.  The hands of a good therapist will read the muscles being worked on and know the pressure needed. 

Many people are surprised at the results using Deep Tissue techniques that improve their tension but doesn't cause them to jump or squirm in agony.  You certainly have to work harder on sport enthusiasts and I mean those who may arrive solid because of leaving a longer period of time between treatments, maybe have arrived after moving into the area or when working through heavy training period, sadly some even with all the information available are too lazy to warm up and cool down.  An occasional miss is fine but we all lead such busy lives and getting to the gym or home again and going for a run may have to fit between after school clubs for the kids, meals, shopping and getting out with mates or each other so sacrificed or cut back because of other priorities.  The tension will build and start affecting the posture once you do any damage to muscle or group of muscles that will become chronic about six weeks later and possibly still continue to alter the other muscles around the tear or pull as your body's defence mechanism kicks in and you are fully aware of how you're walking or holding yourself.  You should always get Diagnoses from your G.P. first before

starting any massage treatment/s and inform your therapist.

st.

One thing is clear from the most popular types of massage is:  The art of touch where someone is doing something to ease or change your aches and pains, providing relief to those nagging and constant reminders that you've left it longer than you should have.  And this is where I would like to introduce Bowen to you...
However, it will be better that you visit the web site/s for Essential Therapy Centre and investigate this little gem for yourself.  You can even contact Gary direct to arrange a free consultation and find out how Bowen can help you...?

The healing energy of Reiki is a wonderful experience and most relaxing fully clothed treatment you may ever experience.  There are many views on this healing energy therapy but it is Universal and closely linked to the connectivity of all there is.  For those who profess to have open minds it is truly remarkable and enlightening.  People will report many things experienced throughout the spectrum of modalities but in Reiki it is as personal to that which you know from within and often some form of release or mysterious journey is undertaken.  This is personal to the recipient. The universal energy flows through therapist like electricity through a cable.  The person will enjoy taking however much is needed and this can often be felt by the therapist.  The areas concerned will zap that life force and move on as your hands rest a little above or on the body.  Try it or attend a Reiki share...

                                                                             REIKI                                                                          
There is more to come on this subject but feel free to leave comments on which treatments you've had, your experiences and if your therapist is someone you use regularly or occasionally maybe even new.  Where you made to feel at ease?  Able to relax?  And if problem resolved or improved to feel less restricted and value for money.  More importantly:  Would you go back...?

BACK PAIN

                                                          AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

Muscle Tension Release

How long have you suffered or ignored the pain?  You may be in your forties, fifties, sixties or older and experiencing chronic pain day in day out and recall it showed up in your mid twenties or thirties, but after a few months it seemed t have gone.  Work and family commitments prevented you from acting on those twinges, aches and pains and so you just carried on.  Muscles always feel tense as if it builds up when under stress and pressure and there is never any time for YOU.  of course there had been the odd gift of massage which seemed to help for a day or two at least long enough to put it out of your mind.
Life is busy, what with work, home, shopping, kids, after school clubs, football, rugby, ice hockey, golf and its months before you take the time to see about it again.  Stop...!  Don't suffer with Pain.  Whatever your age deal with it now.  If you have never tried Bowen?  Try it now.  What have you got to lose as you've probably tried about everything else.  Don't let pain rule your life.  Find out how it feels to enjoy life and reduce or remove the tension causing the aches and pains.  Bowen will aid the body to allow postural rebalance and realignment which allows you to take back control of your life rather than being controlled by the lack of enthusiasm, energy or relief from those constant niggles or pain.
If you've tried Bowen before and never returned for your top-up session/s due to feeling well and back with nose to the grind stone but are now experiencing niggles and back ache or pain then don't delay Book your Bowen session today.  It is very common not to worry or think about injuries or aches and pains once they have gone.  Hence painkillers relieve the pain and allow you to continue getting jobs done.  Although at times it may not be best practice just to take painkillers and mask what is really going on.  As always the first stop is to your G.P. and they may prescribe pain relief but they will also diagnose your problem and possible solutions for your improved long term health and well-being.  Make sure you explain honestly about the aches and pains, when they started and how long they have been going on.  What pain relief you have been using or gels and any other treatments you may have had, including Tense machine and the array of massage tools now available.

If you have a problem with your back don't use the electric massage chairs or other items such as tennis balls or rollers and variety of marketing products that don't do much good if any.
A good therapist will be able to determine areas of tension and muscular restrictions in arms, shoulders, neck and hips or legs by carrying out a few basic assessments.  An experienced therapist will also read the body visually and with their hands.  They will also be able to suggest the best treatment for you and present conditions you are experiencing.  Again I must emphasise the importance of having seen your Doctor for they should know you well enough and your medical history which may see patterns of this tension build up and in some cases they may recommend Massage or Chiropractic alternatives to just prescribing pain relief.  Many G.P. surgeries now have in house therapists.  The diagnosis may save you time and recommend particular area to be concentrated on for example the neck, shoulder and arm if diagnosis for frozen shoulder or restrictive movement.  They do not hand out cortisone injections as first defence these days and explore other methods before resorting to using this medication.  They should also explain and inform you of any side affects to this form of pain relief.
Which brings me back to BOWEN...  If there is only one thing new you try this year of 2012 make it Bowen.  Book your sessions and release the tension and stress of those muscles without effort with the exception of getting on and off the couch.  See the person who walks away at the end of the session and there will be a new you for in some way the communication that goes on during your sessions on an internal level will have changed you from the person who first walked into have the treatment.  And this gentle giant of the therapy world is growing in recognition.  The moves are light unobtrusive and if you want a first hand reporters read.  Google - High Street Magazine and search for Sally deals with a pain in the neck....!  Sally had four sessions over the four weeks and did her write up at the end taking notes on how she was on the couch and between treatments.  It was like listening to my clients with all the same concerns, thoughts and feelings about the Bowen Work and responses she experienced.  Enjoy her account...!

Psychological Effects of Massage

A body massage can have a very positive effect on how a client feels about their body.    The actual physical touch of another person can have amazing results.  If a client is feeling neglected, lonely or unloved this close contact and personal attention can prove to be the missing link in their lives.  They can feel whole again and cope better with the general day to day juggling of their lives.  (For example; their Mother's just died, they have deadlines for work and that bully won't let up and the neighbour upstairs plays that constant thumping music keeping them awake most nights and the Doctor has just confirmed those pains in the chest are due to stress.)   You never know how a person is going to be.  But remember 'No one ever makes you have a bad day.  This is down to how you handle a situation and deal with it.  How would you feel if your Mother had just died and you had been in the middle of your daily routine at work?  Always put yourself in the other persons place so you can better read the circumstances and remain detached and distant from their problem/s.

The fact that a therapist is touching areas that the client may not be fond of such as large hips, flabby tummy, rough skin, or cellulite without obviously saying anything negative but rather skilfully applying massage movements over the 'problem' soothing away any negative thoughts which basically can have incredible hidden results.  Some individuals will experience colour/s, drifting, and unique to them communication.  This can be and often is dismissed but can't be explained or ignored easily and may add to their concerns.
However, the giving and receiving of Massage is a special 1-1 treatment where the client should be made to feel special as if they were the only client you are treating.  That they have your individual attention.  This alone can have an incredible affect on the person's sense of well-being.  That someone really cares enough and is spending an hour dedicated to them and their particular problem.  Being a good listener is another important part of their session and occasionally following a massage the person may become tearful, but this is not a sign of failure it is simply a release of emotions.  The trigger might have been the physical contact allowing the release of those built up feelings, emotions or fears to be released.  It is important that such release is dealt with carefully and tactfully in order that more psychological  damage is not done.
The client might need to talk with a stranger, share things with an outsider.  Someone not in their immediate circle of friends or associates and you could provide that ear utilising the art of listening as you would the art of touch to allow them to get whatever it is off their chest and sink deeper into a relaxed state as you continue with the strokes and breathing techniques which aid their massage treatment in transforming their hour of concerns and woes to a state of bliss and relaxed sense of improved well-being.

It is vital to remember not to slip into the role of counsellor during and after the treatment or give advice that may be inappropriate but to simply listen allowing the client to unwind through you and leave in a different state of mind, body and spirit than when they arrived.

Some people seem to zap all your energy and leap off the couch full of vitality and raring to go whilst you are left feeling physically and emotionally drained.  This should not last for long and there are ways to protect yourself from gathering any unwanted clutter.  Your therapist should always put you at ease and will be relaxed and fully aware of the role they have during any treatment.  They should have taken a consultation and discussed areas of concern and areas not to be included.  I have a regular client who does not like her back neck and shoulder being done but comes for leg massage.  The legs are giving her the problem and she is always so much better after the treatment so whether it is psychological or not it helps her with the restless leg syndrome she complains about.  Thus improves her well-being.  Don't hesitate to ask questions and meet your therapist if you don't know them.  We always aim to make you feel welcome and relaxed in a safe environment so you fully enjoy the benefits of your Massage.

Enjoy your Massage...!