Jo Wortley: Featured Therapist

Bowen Practitioner:Jo Wortley (Image copyright of David Green)

Jo Wortley first came across Bowen Therapy when she injured her knee in early 2002 and her mother-in-law suggested for her to try the complementary therapy.

Jo says “I was incredibly sceptical and took a lot of persuasion, but eventually tried it. I didn’t really understand why my knee was barely touched on the first session and was dubious about having further treatments, but went along with it. Sure enough my knee recovered, but I still wasn’t convinced.

A few weeks later, I bent down to pick up my little boy and my back locked, I could hardly move. We made an appointment at the doctors, but it was going to be three days before they could see me. Not knowing what else to do we contacted Bill, the Bowen Therapist. He came to the house and gave me a treatment. I didn’t feel any different until the next day, when my back was very much easier. The day after that, there was no pain at all – I was stunned! I cancelled my doctor’s appointment and decided that if this was truly the result of Bowen, then I was going to learn how to do it, because the change was incredible!

Jo became a BTPA student member and began training in Bowen in October 2002. She qualified as a Bowen therapist in July 2003 and set up her clinic that same year and has never looked back since! Jo adds “All Bowen Therapists know how effective our treatments are, but on top of that I get on average four clients per year who’s experience of Bowen they tell me, has been “life changing” – how can you beat that?!”

One client that had that “life changing” experience is Mrs S.

Mrs S was in terrific pain and was referred to the hospital by her GP for an assessment on a knee replacement.

Whist waiting for a date to come through for her assessment Mrs S underwent three Bowen therapy treatments from Jo Wortley; this is the result:

Mrs S explains “My knee was very painful& restricted many things I had been used to doing including aerobics class, some gardening etc.

Most of the time I have fully resumed all activities, but have the odd “blip”

I have been amazed at the improvement on my joints, what I can achieve and almost pain free the majority of the time. I can do some things I haven’t done for many years. I cannot believe the vast improvement with 3 sessions. I have had a top up a couple of months down the line to make sure of my freedom to move with ease.”

Jo Wortley then received a letter from Mrs S’s doctor which read as follows:

30^th August 2011

Thank you for referring this patient whom I saw on behalf of Mr Loeffler. Patient has been referred for her right knee problem.

Ms S tells me that she had pain in the right knee over the years but recently this has all improved after she had Bowen treatment.

Pain before this treatment was at night and on walking and furthermore there was giving way.

Patient denies any pain in the groin. She does experience pain, and she points to the lateral side of the pelvis, radiating down to just proximal to the knee. There are no abnormal sensations in the feet.

On examination today right knee is cool and dry. There is full range of movement. There is no pain. No major instability.

Normal patella reflexes, weak Achilles reflex left and absent Achilles reflex right. Straight leg raising while sitting with dorsiflexion of foot; no pain. Normal sensation and power in the feet. Hop movements are normal.

X-rays of her right knee from June this year show minimal degenerate changes medial and patella-femoral.

I congratulated patient on the good results of her Bowen treatment and have told her that she is far too good to consider joint replacement surgery.

I have not made a further follow up appointment.

Yours sincerely

xxxx (We are unable to disclose the name of the Doctor as it would fringe on Doctor/ Patient confidentiality) 
Associate Specialist Surgeon in Orthopaedics

If you are on the verge of being referred for surgery and thought there was no alternative option, Mrs S is a great testament to the results Bowen therapy can achieve as well as to practitioner, Jo Wortley’s work.  

If you are interested in experiencing a Bowen treatment with Jo contact her directly on:

T: 01284 336114 / 07855 734877

E: jwortley@ptpp.co.uk

W: www.suffolktherapies.co.uk