Bowen on… Bell’s Palsy

Each year in the UK, around 1 in 5,000 people develop Bell's palsy, which is characterised by a rapid onset of facial weakness. The condition can develop at any age, but is most common in those aged between 15 and 60 years.

    

In about 71% of patients, it resolves spontaneously without treatment, but 13% are left with slight facial weakness and 16% with moderate to severe weakness that results in major facial dysfunction and disfigurement.

    

Bell's palsy is due to inflammation of the facial nerve in the internal auditory canal, which results in isolated unilateral lower motor neurone palsy, with impairment of all facial movements on the affected side, including blinking.

    

Conventional medical treatment includes eye protection, drugs (i.e. corticosteroids, antivirals), surgery and physiotherapy. However the Bowen Technique has been successful in treating the condition.

 

By releasing stress at a very deep level, via its calming effect on the Autonomic Nervous System, Bowen sets the scene for the body to heal itself. In contrast to many other hands-on therapies, Bowen does not attempt to force the body to change; rather it asks the body to recognise and make the changes necessary to bring it back to homoeostasis (physiological equilibrium).

A quick history of massage…

Massage is one of the earliest forms of medical treatment dating back to thousands of years BC in Egypt and China. 

The first images of humans kneading others were inscribed into ancient tombs of Egyptian pharaohs and still exist today. “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” from the Chinese dates to 2,700 B.C. It contains the earliest written record of massage techniques. 

In around 1,000 BC Japanese monks studying Buddhism in China observed the healing properties of Chinese medicine including massage techniques that were taken to Japan and developed into Shiatsu massage found in Japan today.  

Ayurveda is the traditional holistic medical system in India. Texts detailing Ayurvedic principles and practices were written sometime between 1500 and 500 B.C. Based on these texts, Ayurveda was widely adopted throughout India and Southeast Asia. 

Hippocrates, who was known to be the Father of Western Medicine, stated that a doctor needed to be proficient in many things, especially rubbing because it was this rubbing that could loosen a rigid joint as well as bind a joint that is too loose. 

During the Roman era Julius Caesar had massages every-day to relieve his neuralgia. Even athletes in Ancient Greece employed massage to keep their bodies in peak condition before competitions. 

A 19th century Swedish doctor named Per Henrik Ling developed the most common type of massage used today which is the Swedish massage. This massage therapy also included techniques founded in China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. In 1894, the massage techniques of Physiotherapy was established by the Society of Trained Masseurs.

 Although, not technically massage but just as relaxing the Bowen Technique is an original system Developed in Australia by the late Tom Bowen (1916-1982), a very intuitive, gifted and self taught healer, who devoted a lifetime to develop his original technique independently from any medical or bodywork background. 

The treatment includes gentle but powerful soft tissue mobilisation that affects the body both structurally and energetically to restore its self healing mechanisms. It is painless, non invasive and safe to use on anyone from the newborn to the elderly and provides lasting relief from a wide variety of acute or chronic conditions.

Take control of hay fever this year, the natural way...

It's that time of the year again; as well as longer, brighter days around 15 million people in the UK will be dealing with dreaded hay fever.

The higher pollen counts in the Spring/Summer season brings about symptoms of hay fever such as: frequent sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy, red or watery eyes (also known as allergic conjunctivitis), an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears. Less common symptoms include: the loss of sense of smell, facial pain (caused by blocked sinuses), sweats and headaches. Many of these symptoms can interfere with an individual’s sleep and daily activities at school or at work.

There are many drugs, antihistamines and nasal sprays on the market claiming to help hay fever sufferers, however many can result in side effects like drowsiness. The Bowen Technique on the other hand is a natural, drug-free non-invasive, complementary therapy that can also help treat this seasonal disorder, but without the side effects.

The Bowen technique prides itself on being able to trigger the body’s own healing systems. Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires. With primarily fingers and thumbs, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual. No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used. Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

Bowen practitioner Carole Hough has been treating her client since last year who says, “Since starting my Bowen sessions I have a general feeling of well-being, I feel calmer and more relaxed. As regards to specific problems I no longer have hay fever and therefore no need for use of antihistamines.”

If you suffer from hay fever and are interested in Bowen Therapy, find a qualified Bowen practitioner near you by visiting http://www.bowen-therapy.co/Bowen/btpa-find-therapist.asp or call 0844 561 7173