Bear Grylls claims Bowen is “vital support”

Bear Grylls, the valiant adventurer and TV presenter, was one of the guests on Saturday night’s Jonathan Ross show.

Bear was promoting his new book – A Survival Guide for Life, and also spoke a little about the kind of things he does to keep himself in shape and healthy. We know one thing that helps Bear when he returns from his worldwide exploits – and that’s Bowen.

Bear appeared alongside Kylie Minogue, Russell Howard and Muse

Bear has regular treatments with Sussex based Bowen therapist Sarah Yearsley, and now regards these as an essential part of his preparation and recovery. “Bowen has helped keep my body together despite the continual bashing it takes,” he explains: “It’s a vital support in putting right a whole range of new aches and pains, making sure that old injuries don’t cause me problems, and helping me fight stress and fatigue.”

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise 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.

On his Channel 4 show, Born Survivor, Bear performed freefall parachute jumps into extreme terrain -- including landing in trees, glaciers, and sand dunes -- back flips from a helicopter into a lake, abseiling down sheer cliffs and a range of other acrobatic activities.

He has also been under great stress from the many different environments -- including jungle, desert, mountains in winter and summer, open sea -- and has had to tolerate extreme heat, cold, dehydration and fatigue. He usually has only a few days to recover from each episode, while the pressure is increased still further by a very demanding travel schedule.

So it’s fair to say that Bear’s body has taken a thrashing. And this is not aided by niggling old injuries like a broken back from a parachuting accident and a bad foot injury from a motorcycle accident.

Bear learned about Bowen therapy from his wife Shara, who herself contacted therapist Sarah Yearsley after hearing about its positive effects in treating chronic back pain.

The specific conditions Sarah has helped Bear to overcome include a rotated pelvis, tight and shallow breathing, a strained calf muscle, extreme exhaustion and stress, and a toe injury.

“Bear provides a perfect illustration of the amazing versatility of Bowen,” she comments; “It helps him across a full range of conditions – not only alleviating pain but boosting his immune system and helping minimise fatigue. Of course, he isn’t a typical patient, but most of his problems are no different from those I treat in people with normal lifestyles.”

Read Bear Grylls’ Bowen testimonial in full here

If you are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, visit the website, or call 0844 561 7173.

Bowen at the Mind London Parks Half Marathon

On 7^th October, the mental health charity Mind attended London Parks half marathon.

A few Bowen practitioners went along to the event to offer drained runners some Bowen treatment to relieve their tired soles.

Mind offers information and advice, training programmes, grants and services. They want to make it possible for people who experience mental health problems to live full lives, and play their full part in society.

Mind runs off public donations, which is why they hold runs up and down the country throughout the year.

At this particular run, participants were happy to see Bowen practitioners.

One Bowen practitioner that was there, Rebeccah Steele, said: “It made such a difference having 2 massage tables as the inclination of most of the runners was to head for a massage table.
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“So as it was very busy and we had a good number of Bowen therapists on hand, we also started using the ordinary chairs to offer the mini tasters.

“I must say I had a couple of people who were quite sceptical that sitting straddled on a chair for Bowen would help relieve their hurting muscles.

“So they were pleasantly surprised that they felt much better after 10 minutes.

“One person commented mid-way through the session that it was amazing that the pain and discomfort they had been feeling had more or less gone!

“This was what so inspiring for us to know and that we as Bowen therapists were on hand and able to help with relief from the pain and discomfort they were feeling.

“I also had comments of 'I feel much calmer' which was also good to hear.”

See footage of the race and interviews with runners from 1Extra and Glamour Magazine here

Try Bowen to help you stomach IBS and other digestive problems

Yesterday was ‘Apple Day’, and as the saying goes ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’.

 

However, even the healthiest of people can be prone to digestive problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Acid Reflux.

 

IBS is a common digestive condition that can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. The cause is unknown; however stress, certain foods and hormones are said to play a part in the development of the condition.

As the cause of the condition is relatively unknown, some treatments may not be effective. Bowen Therapy is one alternative treatment that can help IBS and other digestive conditions.

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.

One Bowen clients said: “I initially saw Jen (Bowen practitioner) when my doctor said I had IBS and it couldn’t be treated.

After 3 sessions I had no symptoms and IBS has never returned.

That was 11 years ago and I visit Jen whenever I have a condition that needs treating. Jen’s work goes beyond the treatment that any doctor can give me.”

Another said: “Bowen is a truly amazing treatment, I cannot praise it enough!

It cured me of an illness that hospital consultants only scratched their heads at. I still use Bowen to keep me in check. Love it.”

Read more testimonials from people that have used Bowen for digestive problems here.

If you suffer from back pain 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.

 

Back Care Awareness Week

Today kicks off Back Care Awareness Week, and this year the theme is 'Builder's Back Pain'.

From our previous blog, you’ll know that Bowen practitioners help many people who have developed problems from their work, including builders and their backs.

The week will focus on the back problems builders encounter as well as the stresses and strains on construction workers, as the building industry has the highest rate of back related injuries.

The aim of the week long event, which is organised by BackCare, the charity for healthier backs, is to raise awareness of the problems back pain can cause, as well as prevention and treatments.

While we might all know the best way to pick up boxes safely, we tend not to think about the effect every day tasks like picking up shopping or children's toys have on our backs.

It's thought that 4 out of every 5 adults will experience back pain at some point in their life.

Bowen Therapy is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that has had some marvellous results with back-pain sufferers.

A national study, carried out by The Bowen Therapy Professional Association (BTPA) in the summer of 2006, showed that 95 per cent of back pain sufferers experienced either complete relief or a marked improvement, after a series of no more than three Bowen treatments.

As it prides itself on being able to trigger the body’s own healing systems, there would be less nasty side-effects from heavy painkillers.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise 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.

If you suffer from back pain and are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, visit the website or call 0844 561 7173.

Bowen for every profession

Many people that visit Bowen therapists come to ease a problem caused by work. Even the least physical of jobs can cause ailments that Bowen is ready to relieve.


Teachers: Tomorrow is World Teacher’s Day so if you’re a Sir or Miss, perhaps treat yourself to some Bowen for your stress levels, back pain or RSI from writing on that board.

Hairdressers: Teachers aren’t the only ones prone to RSI, many hairdressers suffer with elbow/shoulder pain from trimming people’s tresses and back complaints from being on their feet all day.

Nurses: Nurses are also renowned for running about the wards all day, so could perhaps use a Bowen treatment for plantar fasciitis or other foot problems.

Policemen: Plantar fasciitis, aka ‘policemen’s heel’, is also a common affliction for cops on the beat – hence the nickname – as is back pain and stress.

 

Builders: Back pain is rife among builders too, due to the jobs physicality. General joint and muscular pain that builders endure could be treated with Bowen.

Office: Working in an office is one of the less physical jobs, but can still affect you physically. Slouching over your desk gives you bad posture which causes back and shoulder pain. Also, staring at a computer screen all day can cause headaches which could be eased with Bowen.

Night-workers: Getting in at 7am after a night shift and trying to sleep whilst the rest of the world is just getting started can be very difficult and frustrating. Fatigue and sleep-trouble are two other problems that Bowen can help.

Do you fit into any of the categories above? Or do any of the complaints sound familiar? If you are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.