Bowen and Respiratory problems

 

Bowen Therapy is well known and documented for its efficacy in relieving pain and regaining function after sport injuries, computer related injuries, frozen shoulder and back pain – but there is a side of Bowen Therapy that few are aware of – its ability to shift and drain fluid in the body including the sinuses and the respiratory system.

The Bowen Technique is a gentle, light-touch therapy developed by Tom Bowen. Originally intended to help people suffering from muscular-skeletal problems, it has been shown to be very successful with many other conditions as well. It has proved to be very effective, on many occasions, for both adults and children suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments.

Tom Bowen’s own wife suffered from severe asthma and was often hospitalised so he developed procedures that combat symptoms of congestion and restriction in the respiratory system. The seemingly subtle moves help to eliminate waste from the organs by stimulating innate healing mechanisms in the body. People often leave the sessions breathing more easily and comfortably, with symptoms subsiding within 2 days of the session.

Whatever the level of asthma, or similar respiratory problems, Bowen often seems to reduce the level of attack very quickly, and effectively.

As Bowen is both very gentle and non-invasive, there is no danger in using it with asthma and other respiratory conditions. The many cases treated have shown often to produce results very quickly which last. Often just a very few sessions will change the situation for the sufferer. As with any allergy, the avoidance of contact with the allergen is an essential part of the treatment. However, what Bowen does achieve very often is the release of tightness in the chest which aids both asthmatics and other respiratory sufferers.
Emergencies
The Bowen Asthma Release Move can help relieve attacks by releasing the diaphragm and easing tight chests and wheezing.

I often show clients how to perform this move it’s very easy and helpful when someone is having difficulty breathing or experiencing an asthma attack.

Sciatica

So what is Sciatica?

Sciatica is the general term for the pain involving the sciatic nerves. This pain can be caused by irritation or pressure on the nerve often near the base of the spine.

The sciatic nerves run all the way from the base of the spine to the foot in each leg and as such any associated pain can vary in its location ranging from the lower back all the way down to the foot.

The pain can be mild that comes and goes from the buttocks to your feet to being in constant agony that affects the ability to walk and stand properly. It may also cause a feeling of weakness in your legs and be worse moving about.

The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated (slipped) disc. The change in position of the disc presses on the sciatic nerve and is the beginning of the pain.

Temporary sciatica can be triggered by bad posture for example: by sitting incorrectly for long periods of times.

Sciatica is also quite common in the later stages of pregnancy when the increasing baby size puts pressure on the nerve.

The treatment of sciatica with the Bowen Technique has shown great improvement with most clients.  Many patients respond well in 3 – 4 sessions.

It’s worth trying Bowen because in many cases it has been known to trigger surprising and unexpected recoveries when nothing else has worked

Martine your Bowen Therapist

Psoas

It’s also called the Iliopsoas, but let's keep it simple so everyone understands.

 Tightness and swelling of the Psoas can cause pressure on the Sciatic and Femoral nerve which causes pain that can be felt in the low, mid back, pelvis, buttock, thigh, groin and genitals.

It is attached to the last 6 mobile vertebrae also called T12 to S5. Together with the Trapezius muscle that is attached to the spine from the Thoracic 12 (T12) to the base of the skull, these two muscles attach to and span the entire spine.

If the Psoas is tight it has a downwards pull so the vertebrae’s are being slightly pulled down, because the Trapezius shares the T12 with the Psoas it automatically gets pulled downwards as well and thus can cause problems in upper back and neck.

A short tight muscle that runs over a joint creates compression or pressure. The thinnest and weakest part of the disc is most likely to be damaged.

This weakening of the disc structures can cause a bulge or rupture, the so called slipped disc.

This slipped disc can then put pressure on the Sciatic nerve which is what we call that Sciatica.

So a problem with the Psoas can cause a bunch of problems from back, hip to neck and shoulder.

With Bowen we have a special procedure for the Psoas that can help relax the muscle.

Give Bowen Therapy a try and find out for yourself how it can help you and your wellbeing.

Martine your Bowen Therapist