Bowen Therapy - Asthma Awareness Week

Today kicks off Asthma Awareness Week 2012, and tomorrow is Asthma Awareness Day, a public health event that doesn’t often get the coverage it deserves.

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways and symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

The disorder has been significantly more prevalent since the 1970s, and in 2010 300 million people were affected worldwide.

An acute asthma exacerbation is commonly referred to as an asthma attack which can be a very scary experience.

Signs which occur during an asthma attack could include the use of accessory muscles of respiration, a paradoxical pulse (a pulse that is weaker during inhalation and stronger during exhalation), and over-inflation of the chest.

A blue color of the skin and nails may occur from lack of oxygen also.

This means that an asthma sufferer’s quality of life can be severely affected by the disease.

The Global Initiative for Asthma claims “These episodes are usually associated with widespread, but variable airflow obstruction within the lung that is often reversible either spontaneously or with treatment...”

…Which is where Bowen comes in.

The Bowen Technique is a complementary therapy renowned for treating the symptoms of asthma.

With primarily fingers and thumbs, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over the 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.

As Bowen is both very gentle and non-invasive, there is no danger in using it with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

The treatment reduces the level of attack very quickly, and has given very effective results that last.

Bowen triggers the body’s own healing systems i.e. Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires.

What the technique does achieve very often is the release of tightness in the chest which aids both asthmatics and other respiratory sufferers.

To read some testimonials from asthma sufferers who have had brilliant results from Bowen click here and to find a Bowen practitioner near you, visit the website.

Treat your furry friend to a Bowen treatment

The RSPCA yesterday revealed that animal cruelty in the UK had risen by nearly a quarter last year.

The animal welfare charity received 1.3 million calls in 2011, a 13% rise on the previous year.

However, fortunately, there are people out there who give their pets the love and care they deserve.

There has been a strong increase in the number of animals being brought to Bowen therapists across the country.

That’s right, the Bowen technique doesn’t only work on us humans!

Dogs and horses respond particularly well to the treatment, aiding any muscular or seasonal problems they may have.

It works wonderfully in helping animals relax and can just be a nice calming treat for them.

We’re finding that people who have never had a Bowen treatment themselves are bringing their pets to try the technique.

The practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for the animal.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.

Between each set of moves, your pet can rest for a few minutes, to allow them to absorb the information they have received and initiate any healing processes.

Show some animal love and see if a qualified Bowen practitioner near you could help your pet by visiting http://www.bowen-therapy.co/Bowen/btpa-find-therapist.asp or call 0844 561 7173

BTPA at RCN Congress 2012

Last year, BTPA attended the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Congress in Liverpool which was a huge success. They have very kindly asked us back this year to be part of their Health and Wellbeing area.

This is a great opportunity for us to give nurses a chance to learn about Bowen’s healing qualities and give them a chance to try it.

We’ve got a group of members attending in order to give taster sessions to delegates at this wonderful event.

Speakers will include Rt Hon Andrew Lansley CBE MP, Secretary of State for Health and Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of HM Opposition.

It is taking place at the Harrogate International Centre from 13-17^th May 2012.

You have to be a RCN member to attend but registration to become a member is free. For more information, visit www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/congress/2012.

How Uma Thurman could benefit from Bowen Therapy

Pictures of mum-to-be Uma Thurman showing off her baby-bump in a New Yorkpark have emerged today.

The Kill Bill star, who already has two children, announced earlier this year that she is expecting a daughter at 41.

Last month, the pregnant actress was snapped in St Barts looking healthy and toned wearing a black bikini.

Often, when women have a baby after the age of 35, the stress on both the spine and the pelvis which occurs during pregnancy can worsen and intensifies as the birth approaches.

Knock-on effects of pain and discomfort are often also felt in the muscles and ligaments which support the spine and the pelvis.

Older mums like Uma Thurman, who is a fan of alternative remedies like Gemstone Therapy, could benefit from a course of Bowen treatment.

Bowen is a drug-free, non-invasive complementary therapy. 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 used and 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 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 and make the changes it requires.

The advantage of the Bowen Technique over most other alternative therapies is that pregnant women can be treated in the sitting position or lying on their side.

Many of the problems associated with pregnancy can be treated with the treatment both before and after childbirth. These include severe backache, headaches, nausea, tiredness and decreased energy levels, sciatica, leg ache and heartburn.

The long-term hormonal and musculoskeletal changes can last many months after childbirth with often painful symptoms. Both the relaxing and therapeutic effects of the Bowen Technique are particularly useful during this period and can be performed within hours of birth.

Trials in the UK,Australia and New Zealandusing the Bowen Technique on infertile couples for whom no other obvious reason for being unable to conceive has been found, have met with remarkable success.

If you’re suffering with pregnancy, post-birth or infertility problems and want to try Bowen therapy visit www.bowen-therapy.co

Top ten celebrities that use alternative therapy

Alterative therapy is definitely having a moment.

It’s no longer reserved for quirky or bohemian souls, it is becoming far more widely used.

Celebrity treatments are now available at your local spa or beauty salon.

Here’s a list of ten celebrity alternative therapies, some a little more alternative than others.

Yoga – Madonna

The Queen of Pop is renowned for her love of yoga. She practices Ashtanga yoga, a style which encourages more dynamic movements and transitions between the postures, as a wonderful physical, mental and spiritual discipline.

Acupuncture – Jennifer Lopez

J-Lo, who has recently lost over a stone, attributes her weight-loss to this Eastern art of healing. It uses fine, hollow needles inserted at specific sites on the body called meridians, to rebalance energy, improve health and relieve stress.

Reiki – Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman uses the ancient healing art of Reiki to ease the stresses of her busy life. Reiki, practiced by “laying on the hands”, is a form of energetic healing designed to remove blocks within the body that cause disease and mental illness.

Meditation – Russell Simmons

Co-founder of hip-hop record label Def Jam, Russell Simmons, has been meditating for nearly 15 years. He couples this daily practice with detoxifying steam showers, a light work-out routine and a vegan diet for the ultimate health regime.

Ayurveda – Christy Turlington

Supermodel and mom, Christy Turlington, is an avid practitioner of Ayurveda. This is a holistic system that guides you to live according to your ‘dosha’ i.e. your body-mind type.

Homeopathy – Catherine Zeta-Jones

Mrs Michael Douglas has used homeopathic medicine Arnica since filming Chicago back in 2002. It helps heal bruising, muscle aches and stiffness, which she suffered with on the Chicago shoot.

Gemstone Therapy – Uma Thurman

The Kill Bill star engages in Gem Therapy, a practice where followers believe that certain gems radiate specific energies that can affect mood and well-being. Rubies and roselle can help with emotional healing and uplift according to Gem Therapy.

Hydrotherapy – Steve Jobs

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who sadly died last year, supposedly used hydrotherapy as an alternative treatment for his pancreatic cancer. Hydrotherapy involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating illness.

Chinese Cupping – Gwyneth Paltrow

Chinese Cupping is a kind of acupuncture which involves placing heated cups over the skin to encourage blood flow and ease stress, aches, and pains. In 2004, Gwyneth Paltrow turned up to a film premiere with large circular bruises on her back from cupping.

Leech Therapy – Demi Moore

Leech Therapy involves leeches releasing an enzyme into your blood when they’re biting down on you. Supposedly, it optimises health and detoxifies the blood. Demi Moore admitted she had undergone Leech Therapy in Austria for its healing properties.

If you want to try a little less bloodthirsty alternative therapy, you should consider Bowen.

The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires.

Bowen can help sports injuries, migraine and digestive problems as well as stress and sleep problems.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, 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.

If you want a celeb-like therapy treatment, consider Bowen Therapy. Find a qualified Bowen practitioner near to you by visiting http://www.bowen-therapy.co/Bowen/btpa-find-therapist.asp or call 0844 561 7173

Hay fever is on the rise and set to increase further

What do Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, Orlando Bloom and Scarlett Johansen have in common besides their A-list movie star status? They all suffer with the dreaded, seasonal disorder hay-fever.

 

The summer-spoiling symptoms of hay fever are caused by inflammation of the sinuses due to an allergic reaction to pollen.

Your immune system thinks it has come into contact with a harmful agent, meaning it overreacts and produces immunoglobulins which release the chemicals that irritate your nose, throat and eyes.

Hay fever in the body

Even Olympic gold-medal winner Denise Lewis can’t beat the effects of hay fever.

And the amount of UK sufferers losing in the hay fever race is set to double within the next 20 years.

The 15 million Britons currently suffering with hay fever is estimated to double to 32 million by 2030, as more people move to cities.

This is according to a report by Professor Jean Emberlin, of Allergy UK and Pollen UK, who claims that the mild winter, followed by a cold spell means that 'pollen counts are likely to be two or three times higher than last year in many areas including cities, where air pollution causes more potent reactions to pollen'.

She said: “As the urban population rises over the next 20 years, we can expect to see the number of hay fever sufferers double if not more.”

London and Birmingham will see the biggest rises in sufferers with 45 per cent of the cities’ population affected, up from the current 25 per cent, according to the report.

More organic and less medicinal methods of treating hay fever are becoming popular with herbal remedies on the market to combat the negative side effects often related to many antihistamines and nasal sprays.

The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that can also help treat the seasonal disorder without the unwanted secondary effects.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, 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.

The massage acts as lymphatic drainage which helps with the breathing and sensory difficulties associated with hay fever.

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