Bowen Therapy and asthma

Letting you breathe easy
Rodney Young reveals that gentle Bowen Therapy can bring relief of distressing symptoms and less dependence on an inhaler to asthma sufferers of all ages

Phil is a 38-year-old asthma sufferer who has carried an inhaler around since early childhood in case of an asthma attack. Ensuring he has his inhaler with him is as much a part of going out as remembering his wallet and locking the front door.

However, after ten months of Bowen Technique therapy, Phil can relax if ever the inhaler is left at home, as the likelihood of his needing to use it has substantially decreased.

Janet Jones of the Bell Trees Clinic, West Oxford, introduced Phil to the Bowen Technique last year.

He started his treatment very sceptically, convinced that medication was the only way to control what, after all, had been a near lifelong condition.

Phil initially found the therapy to be a little unusual (the therapist leaving the room between sets of ‘moves’ to allow the work to take effect), but surprisingly relaxing.

The treatment took the form of rolling type moves over soft tissue on specific points on the body, with the whole person being treated, rather than just the presenting symptoms.

However, Phil was impressed to realise that, following work on his chest area, he felt an immediate benefit, as a larger volume of air seemed to be entering his lungs as he inhaled. His shoulders and neck also felt far more relaxed and free from tension.

Initially, the asthma symptoms did gradually return, but Phil dutifully tried to increase his water consumption (Bowen works best in well-hydrated bodies).

As further treatments followed, Phil’s condition steadily improved, with the asthma attacks becoming more infrequent and less severe.

The big test came late summer when the combine harvesters reappeared in the Oxfordshire countryside. Historically, Phil had suffered with hayfever-type symptoms combined with almost constant asthma triggered by the weeks of harvest when dust levels in the air are noticeably higher.

Having timed a Bowen treatment for just before he suspected the symptoms were due, he was delighted to experience a marked reduction in both the severity of the allergic reaction and the length of time the symptoms lasted — just two weeks, compared to around ten weeks in previous years.

Understandably, Phil is now a Bowen Technique convert, and is keen to continue receiving treatments on an occasional basis to maintain his improving health and as a pleasant form of relaxation therapy.

Bowen Practitioner, Janet Jones, said: “I’ve used Bowen Technique on both adults and children suffering from asthma, and the results so far have been extremely encouraging. To date, the technique has brought relief from symptoms for each client I’ve treated, although any subsequent alteration to medication must always be made by the client’s GP.

One great aspect of this therapy is that for children up to the age of eight, the treatment lasts no more than a minute or so, which has to be good news for both parents and child! For older children and adults, a little more work is required, but the procedure is very gentle and, where monitored, peak flow meter readings have increased following treatment.”

n For further information contact Janet Jones via The Bell Trees Clinic on 01865 200365. Janet trained with the European College of Bowen Studies and is a member of the Bowen Technique European Register.

Versatile Bowen treats vast range of conditions

What is it?

The Bowen Technique is a remedial, hands-on therapy using a rolling-type movement on soft tissue of the body. The technique, though gentle and subtle, promotes healing, pain relief and recovery of energy.

The unique moves can be performed through light clothing, and clients will be left to rest for short periods during the session to allow the body to respond.

Treatments are weekly initially, and just a small number may be enough to achieve relief from even long-standing conditions.

What else can the Bowen Technique treat?

The Bowen Technique can be used safely on people of all ages.

As well as asthma, it can be an effective treatment for a vast range of conditions including sports and work-related injuries (including RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome), back pain, frozen shoulders, knee pain and stiff necks.

Conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, hay fever, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine and gynaecological problems have also responded well.

The relaxing nature of the technique also makes it valuable as a means of stress-management and health maintenance.

Where did it originate?

Thomas Bowen, of Geelong in Australia, pioneered the Bowen Technique.

Bowen was born in 1916 and developed a great interest in massage and bodywork, spending time observing football trainers and others involved in sport. By the time he was in his early 40’s, this gifted man had established a full-time practice using the remedial therapy he had developed.

Julian Baker, who experienced and learnt to practise the therapy in Australia, brought the Bowen Technique to the UK in the 1990’s. Julian went on to establish the European College of Bowen Studies.