Get counting those sheep, don't lose a week's sleep

We all know that sleep is important for our health, mind and body, and without it, we eventually become more irritable, tired and lack concentration.

Yet despite knowing all of this, many of us are guilty of not getting the recommended eight hours a night. It seems that we, as a society, sometimes forget just how vital having a good night’s sleep is for the body, and how it is just as important as breathing, drinking and eating.

There have been many case studies showing us how important sleep is and, in a new discovery led by sleep expert Professor Derk-Jan Dijk from the University of Surrey, scientists have found that just one week of poor sleep can disrupt hundreds of genes, thus increasing the risk of potential life-threatening illnesses linked to stress, obesity and diabetes, to name a few.

Bowen Therapy is known for its healing qualities and for releasing stress via its calming effect on the Autonomic Nervous System. It is a natural, drug free, non-invasive complementary therapy. Its quick and effective treatment can help improve problems relating to sleep deprivation such as stress.

Many people that suffer from insomnia resort to taking sleep-inducing tablets and medicines.

However, rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen Therapy 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment, like insomnia, 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.

You can read testimonials from insomnia sufferers who have had some wonderful results from Bowen here.

If you suffer from sleep deprivations, or know somebody that does, see if Bowen could help you. Find a qualified Bowen practitioner near to you by visiting the Bowen websiteor call 0844 561 7173.

Eating Disorder Case Study

February is a month dedicated to offering information and support for eating disorders, in order to improve understanding of a destructive problem.

Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are defined as psychological disorders characterised by abnormal or disturbed eating habits. Although more common in females, it is thought that 10-15% of people with eating disorders are male.

  

Eating Disorder Awareness Week ironically falls during London Fashion Week, which always sparks the size zero debate

Recently, there has been a disturbing growing trend among teenage girls longing for a ‘thigh gap’. Many young girls are obsessed with achieving thighs that don’t touch at the top of their legs, like presenter Alexa Chung and model Cara Delevingne.

One girl has set up a Twitter page dedicated to Cara Delevingne’s ‘thigh gap’.

Cara Delevingne

This trend of worshipping ‘thinspirations’ can lead to an even more worrying psychological problem like an eating disorder.

There is one case in which Bowen has helped a woman who had been suffering with an eating disorder for nearly 30 years.

‘Mrs K’ said: “I have been having Bowen Therapy now for about 18 months after a chance meeting in the local health shop.

“At the time I was searching for remedies in a very depressed state and finding it difficult to establish which one of my ailments was causing me the most distress at that time! I had been having very painful periods, lots of migraine type headaches and IBS.

“I felt in my own mind that the root of all my problems lie in my emotional state.”

Although Bowen is known for its physical benefits, it is mentally relaxing and very effective for any stress management and frustration.

She said: “I was very stressed and at the times when I seemed to have little stress in my life, I would soon find something!

“I had suffered from an Eating Disorder from the age of 14 and, at 43, despite recently having effective counselling for the first time, still felt that there were areas where I was ‘stuck’ emotionally.”

The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that can be a gentle yet effective release of pain.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires. It works ‘with’ the body as opposed to working ‘against’ it.

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.

Mrs K continued: “Bowen, although a physical therapy, has helped me more in an emotional way, to cope with my Eating Disorder.

“I am learning to see life as more of a series of challenges rather than problems, and I try to applaud myself for trying something even if it doesn’t work out, rather than feeling a constant failure.

“I am happier to ask for help if I need it, rather than feeling that is another admission of failure and most of all, I can love and respect myself.

“I no longer have an eating disorder dominating my life.

“Yes – it is still there ‘waiting in the wings’ but I am in control of it.
It is safe to be ME without hiding behind it.

“It is safe to slowly let it out of my life and to allow myself to be happy and live a fulfilling life with fun, laughter and enjoyment.”

Read the rest of Mrs K’s testimonial here.

If you are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help with physical or mental stress visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Week

Today marks the first day of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week; a serious and progressive (inherited) disease that causes muscles in the body to weaken.

Muscular Dystrophy is caused by changes (or rather mutations) in the genes that are responsible for the structure and functioning of muscles. This mutation then leads to the muscle fibres changing and interfering with the muscles abilities to function properly.

There are over thirty types of Muscular Dystrophy, and with over 70,000 children and adults in the UK suffering from a form of muscle disease or a related condition, there is currently no scientific cure.

Depending on what type of Muscular Dystrophy the person has, symptoms of this disease will vary from person to person.

Typical symptoms of the most common types of Muscular Dystrophy are: fatigue; muscle weakness and joint stiffness. In addition, those who are suffering from this condition may also have trouble with breathing and sleeping.

The Bowen Treatment is a drug free, complementary therapy and a gentle approach that can help certain symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy.

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.

 

If you suffer from Muscular Dystrophy, or know somebody that does, see if Bowen could help you. Find a qualified Bowen practitioner near to you by visiting the Bowen website or calling 0844 561 7173.

Featured Therapist: Jo Austen

Jo Austen got into Bowen back in 2002 after receiving treatment for a long standing shoulder and arm pain.  Having previously tried a variety of conventional and complimentary therapies to try and help, Jo finally found something that eased her pain.

Jo said: “I was away and came across this thing called the Bowen Technique.

“I thought I may as well try it and - hey presto - Bowen worked its magic, and started me on the path towards getting better myself and being able to do the same for others.”

 

From then, Jo was hooked and undertook training through 2003 with ECBS, together with A&P, which involved a complete change of career for her, as she had previously worked with her husband in his business. 

Jo now works from 2 clinics in Cornwall and runs the Bowen RIG in Cornwall, which concentrates on offering further and ongoing training for therapists in Cornwall and Devon. 

Jo added: “I am a bit of a course junky.

“I really enjoy learning as much as possible about the application of our wonderful therapy.

“It enables me to practice with confidence, and gain good, quick outcomes for many of my clients.

“Job satisfaction is way up there.  I feel so lucky to be able to do my job, which is so rewarding, and which I love.”

Jo has a YouTube channel, where she posts useful videos in which she talks about Bowen and how a treatment would be performed from start to finish. There videos are great for new clients who may not know what to expect.

If you’d like to find out more about Jo and her treatments, visit www.bowenincornwall.co.uk, call her on 01579 344090 or email joannaausten@me.com.