HUMAN BOWEN THERAPY

Knee problems (3 treatments)

 ‘…the discomfort I had come to expect never arrived…'

During an accident several years ago, I sustained minor leg injuries and used a traditional approach to get back to fitness. For many years I found my knees becoming increasingly aggravated during long runs (after about 15 miles), coupled with a painful ache that would linger for several days. Knowing that I was due to begin high mileage training for an alpine marathon, Sara recommended a course of Bowen treatments to compliment my schedule.

Sara initially targeted both the knee and other areas which had been consequently affected. The treatments made it obvious that my body had been compensating for far too long and needed reminding to complete healing the old injury. My legs heated up after treatment but were not at all sore or sensitive. During my next run the discomfort I had come to expect never arrived and consequently my recovery times after long runs or gym sessions were substantially reduced.

As a regular runner, I can recommend Bowen to treat those annoying injuries, strains, and aches that can not only impede performance but more importantly enjoyment of running out on the trails.

Charlotte , North Yorkshire

Breathing Difficulties (emphysema) (ongoing treatments)

‘…the bad days are far, far fewer than they were…'

I am 60 years old. Ten years ago I was diagnosed as suffering from emphysema, an incurable degenerative disorder of the lungs.

Before I started receiving Bowen Therapy, I had difficulty in climbing the very steep stairs in my house, often having to stop a couple of times before reaching the top. I was also heavily reliant on the use of my reliever inhaler, often using one inhaler per fortnight. Walking was a real problem for me, sometimes even around the house.

Since receiving the treatment I have not once had to stop on the stairs, now being able to climb to the top without difficulty. The use of my inhaler has reduced, now only requiring one inhaler per four/six weeks. Walking has also become easier.

It is difficult to gauge the amount of benefit I have received from the treatment, because the better you feel, the harder it is to remember how bad the ‘bad days' really were. All I can say is that the bad days are far, far fewer than they were.

I would thoroughly recommend anyone in my situation to seriously consider Bowen Therapy as a part of their regime to optimize the quality of their life.

Sue, Co Durham

Back Pain (3 treatments)

 ‘…my back problem had disappeared and most importantly, had not returned…'

I had suffered from back pain intermittently for ten years. Having tried physiotherapy and osteopathy, a friend recommended Sara and The Bowen Technique. I did a little research and decided to give it a try. After just three treatments my, my back problem had disappeared and most importantly, has not returned. It has now been over a year and I have been through a pregnancy with no pain at all.

I can thoroughly recommend Sara to anyone needing treatment; I have found her to be extremely patient, thoughtful and caring. I was very impressed how Sara listened carefully to what I had to say and looked to treat the whole body, not just the afflicted area. Sara explained exactly what she was doing at every step and made me feel confident and secure in the treatment I was receiving. I would recommend the Bowen Technique and Sara without reservation.

Eleanor, North Yorkshire

EQUINE BOWEN THERAPY

Brushing and striking hind legs (1 treatment + regular top-ups)

 ‘…I am convinced that Bowen has played a large part in Tushka's sustained soundness over the last year or so, and has contributed enormously to her much improved way of going…'

In the last three weeks my horse, Tushka (Shadows Flame), an 11 year old, 16.1hh thoroughbred / Irish chestnut mare, won her BE90 class at Richmond with a professional jockey on board, came 3rd at Northallerton in an unaffiliated one day event in which I rode her, and was placed 8 th in her BE90 section at Bishop Burton on a scorching hot day. In addition to this, she and I were recently awarded the novice dressage championship for a local unaffiliated winter dressage series. I am absolutely thrilled with Tushka's progress but, at one point, I wondered if she would even stay sound enough to be my happy hacker!

Tushka had had four years off in the field as a brood mare after an accident in her earlier eventing career. She was brought in and schooled for me to ride at my local riding school but her back legs brushed badly and she kept striking herself just above the hoof. Eventually an infection set in and her leg swelled badly. My vet came and gave her antibiotics but the injury kept recurring. Sara, whom I have known for some years, was training to become a Bowen therapist and offered to come and see Tushka. I had nothing to lose and agreed enthusiastically. I am now the most ardent fan of Bowen and Sara regularly comes to ‘top up' Tushka's treatments. I am convinced that this has played a large part in Tushka's (hopefully) sustained soundness over the last year or so, and has contributed enormously to her much improved way of going.

I cannot pretend to understand fully how Bowen works - I just know that Tushka finds it the most relaxing experience and usually ends up with her head between her knees except when she's looking at Sara ‘asking' for the next move. She even anticipates some of them and gets herself in position! Despite the injury apparently being in her leg, it seems that Tushka had injured her pelvis and this was out of alignment, making it difficult for her to use herself. During the first proper treatment, when Sara did the Bowen moves over her hip, she slowly stuck her hind leg straight out behind her at an angle I did not even know was possible , and her pelvis / hip made the most amazing (if not slightly alarming!) crunching sound. She groaned loudly and put her head down breathing out very deeply. From that day to this she has not struck herself again and her way of going has improved and improved.

I am so convinced by the effects of Bowen that I have now asked Sara to treat me for my tennis elbow, which has been a very painful condition for some time, making riding and general yard work very difficult. Already, I am feeling a marked improvement and, like Tushka, find it extraordinarily relaxing – so much so, in fact, that I fell asleep during my first treatment!

I am very happy to recommend Sara and Bowen therapy. She has passed all her exams with the highest grades and I have total confidence in her and the treatment. She is so kind and gentle with the horses and I have seen her treat even the most aggressive horses which seem to respond positively to her approach. Go on, give it a go! What have you got to lose?

Mark, North Yorkshire

(I would like to thank Mark for allowing Tushka to be photographed for my web site and for volunteering to be treated and photographed himself).

Deterioration in performance (3 treatments)

 ‘… After only one treatment, Darley went out to do some work and was fabulous…'

Tim is a Standardbred race horse (pacer). When we bought him he was all bones and his breathing was poor when doing work. He was in very poor condition, his neck was very skinny and he could not lift his head up fully. His hips were out of line and his kidneys and liver were not working properly. When in work he would not pace all the time and he would skip and gallop. He'd had a very bad racing accident before we bought him and he had received no treatment after it. However, after Tim's first Bowen session he was calmer, walking with his head up alongside you and he now paces properly. His hips are now equal and he has no lumps on his backbone.

Darley Iron is a Swedish bred trotter who, in his racing time, beat the very best horses. Darley got hit by a loose horse and sulky prior to a race but was vetted and passed fit to race; but the next day he could hardly walk. We had some physio done on him but over time he has got worse and has not fully recovered. He was going lame repeatedly and was stiff in his shoulder. We opted to have him treated with Bowen after seeing the difference it made to Tim. After only one treatment, Darley went out to do some work and was fabulous. He was swinging his hips and high stepping with his front legs, which he had not done for some time. He was enjoying himself and did not come in lame.

I strongly recommend using Bowen Therapy as I had a bad riding accident and have had back and hip problems since. I have had several Bowen treatments and I feel much better: I can move more freely and have a lot less stiffness in my joints.

Jayne, Teesside