Arthritis Care Awareness Week - Bowen can ease arthritic pain

Today is the start of Arthritis Care Awareness Week 2012. There are around 10 million people with arthritis in the UK, a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints.

However it’s not as simple as that; there are around 200 types of arthritis and they can be split into three different categories of their own.

The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is joint pain. The pain may be constant and only on the affected joint.

This pain from arthritis is due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscle strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue.

Symptoms of arthritis include varied levels of pain, swelling, joint stiffness, and sometimes a constant ache around the joint. Sufferers may also incurr:

• Inability to use the hand or walk
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Poor sleep
• Muscle aches and pains
• Tenderness
• Difficulty moving the joint

This is why the quality of life for sufferers can severely diminish and why family and friends play very important roles in their life.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Initially, this condition starts with minor pain while walking but soon the pain can be continuous and become debilitating.

Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis is most commonly a disease of the elderly. More than 30 percent of females have some degree of osteoarthritis by the age of 65.

The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that can help with arthritis pain.

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.

Bowen is an extremely relaxing experience and can also aid any mental stress that an arthritis sufferer may feel.

Read testimonials from people who have used Bowen for help with arthritis here.

If you have arthritis, or are caring for somebody who has, and are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.