Experiences with Bowen Therapy

Motor Vehicle Accident (Marie-Louise Greene, July 20, 2008)

A serious traffic accident in 1979 left me with major injuries to my neck, both legs, and one foot. In the subsequent years follow-up surgeries, physiotherapy, chiropractic adjustments and other treatments helped me regain some measure of mobility. However, as the years went by, significant leg-length discrepancies resulting from the accident and other misalignments from knee and foot injuries began to impact more severely on my mobility. I did not know what it was like to move without discomfort. Some mornings my feet and legs hurt so much that it was almost impossible to get from the bed to the bathroom. Back pain, accompanied by hip, knee, leg and foot pain, became a constant companion.

When I first heard of Bowen Therapy through the medical clinic I use, I had resigned to living with constant pain. Because there is no Bowen practitioner in my community, I only had treatments twice yearly when Sharon Walsh visited for several weeks. After my first series of five or six treatments, I could already feel a difference. The neuromuscular-skeletal realignment which Bowen promised seemed to have begun. I was slowly able to begin walking again, starting with ten minutes and increasing slowly. Over the next two years, with a twice-yearly series of five or six treatments, I could feel my body realign itself. For the first time in about 25 years, my body felt as though both sides were balanced. Movement became easier and the pain slowly disappeared as did the weight. Over a two-year period, I lost 100 pounds and gained more mobility than I had ever thought possible. Ten-minute walks slowly increased to where I could undertake two or three hour hikes. The pain in my back, hips, knees, legs and foot went away. Only someone who knows what it’s like to experience chronic pain with every step can understand the life-altering magnitude of such a change. My life was back!

Four series of treatments over a two-year period brought me to a point where only rarely do I feel any pain at all. Stiffness and discomfort indicate that it is time for a “tune-up” as I like to call it, in the form of two or three Bowen sessions. These days, I no longer have to search for a close parking spot or queue for the elevator. In fact, my new-found mobility has encouraged other work colleagues to begin taking the stairs in our office building. I would never have thought it possible, but at the age of 51, for the first time ever, I joined a friend for a walk to and from Signal Hill – one of the steepest walks I have ever undertaken. Since that time, I have walked not only that particular trail, but many others besides. For me, there certainly is life after 50 – and Bowen has been a very big part of that. -posted in Vitality Magazine

Parkinson’s (Annie Ganbois June 20th 2007)

For the last 20 years I have been impaired by Parkinson’s. My body was suffering, I could no longer dare the look of others. You dared to tackle a disease said incurable. The deepest victory I have is reconciliation with my physical body. The results are there, very important and visible to the naked eye. Here are a few of them:

After the first Bowen Treatment, the burning in my feet which wouldn’t let me sleep, has completely vanished. After the second Bowen Treatment, my walking was so much better that I could go shopping again. This may seem childish, but imagine what the deprivation of this entertainment means to a woman.

After the third and fourth Bowen sessions, I completely controlled my bladder (what a misery to have to go to the toilet every 2 hours). The following days after these sessions, my Parkinson’s symptoms where minimized. And surprise, I have lost 2 kilos; I haven’t seen that for many years. Fifth Bowen session, the unhoped for happened, I can walk and take the trolley home; I haven’t done that since the beginning of this pathology.

July 10th 2007

Mrs. A. G. presents with fatigue for 3 days after baby sitting her grandchildren. She suffers from pain in her left buttock. After the treatment she writes:

This morning after the Bowen session I told you of my well being. I want to add that all day I haven’t had any manifestations of my pathology. What a relief to pursue activities without being bridled in each movement. I am living again. This morning’s work was a pure marvel. Thank you for supporting me on my luminous path. See you next week.

Spinal Injury (Elaine McKennie)

Before April 2007, I was unaware that the Bowen Technique existed. What a difference it has made to my quality of life. A few years ago I underwent major spinal surgery. Even after this I was rarely pain free. I was unable to sit or stand for long periods and I also had frequent back spasms. Because of this I was referred to another orthopedic surgeon. After undergoing a series of investigations, including and MRI and CAT scan, I was informed that there was only a 50/50 chance of success if I had further back surgery. In fact I was told that I could be worse off than before and I may end up in a wheel chair.

My life became even more restricted with the result that I was able to achieve less and less in my everyday life. Since beginning Bowen Therapy, there has been a marked improvement in my overall health and mobility. Two days after the first treatment the back spasms had ceased.

Over the next few weeks I was able to reduce my pain medication and my physical activity increased. There were other improvements as well. Due to an earlier shoulder injury, I had restricted movement in one arm. Now I have full movement and only occasional discomfort. Over a period of a few months, one of my knees had become increasingly painful. I no longer have that pain. A few years earlier I had had Bilateral Carpal Tunnel surgery. Later I had recurrent pain in one hand. With Bowen this has since ceased.

I have no hestitation in recommending Bowen Therapy to anyone. As a retired registered nurse, I am disappointed that this healing technique is not recommended more frequently by the medical community in this country.