Bowen Therapy

Posted , 11 users are following.

I have just finished my 3rd lot of Bowen Therapy and it really hurt and today I am still hurting, is this normal! The therapist seemed surprised that I wasn't feeling any better. It is just my neck and hip that are hurting.

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Liz, sorry to hear that you haven’t had much relief from your treatments as yet. I had three sessions of Bowen and didn’t have any extra pain afterwards. The first treatment improved my symptoms for a few days, the second for a bit longer and the third for a week or two and am due to have a follow up soon. I didn’t find the treatment miraculous- but it did improve my pain and fatigue. I wonder what other people’s experiences have been.  I hope that you start to see some improvement.

  • Posted

    Hi Liz, 

    After my first session I was sore for about 24 hours then no pain, better than ever. Last week after the second session I was in a lot of pain, and only yesterday started to feel a little relief ( 6 days after treatment]. However, I wasn’t feeling the best pain wise going into the second session, had just tapered down on my pred dose and I do tend to suffer for a few days when I do that. My therapist was also surprised that I hadn’t recovered as well but I do have a lot going on at the moment that could be restricting my recovery and possibly causing the PMR to play up. Hoping the next session will be more like the first. Good luck, I will be interested to hear other comments as well. 

  • Posted

    I would say that Bowen shouldn't hurt at the time - that's why I like it. Is that what you mean? I have been sore after but that is muscles getting used to being in a different position. And it has been very uncomfortable if a muscle group was very tight and she was working on it.

    It depends what you are using it for - is the hip bursitis? I'm not sure it would always work quickly for that.

    • Posted

      Yes it hurt a lot when she was doing it, not sure if I have hip bursitis, I have read up on it but cant honestly say. I have been to nhs physio but she is dealing with my neck at the moment. The hip hurts after sitting for a while and when going up the stairs. I had x ray and both hips were symmetrical and no underlying abnormality seen, does bursitis show up on an xray. I am down to 1 1/2  - 2mg on pred so doing well except for these 2 problems.
    • Posted

      I haven't tried Bowen therapy but having read your reports Eileen on Myofascial Therapy I decided to give it a try. It has certainly helped me and I feel so much better. I have had four sessions so far and I am delighted with the results.

       

    • Posted

      No, bursitis won't show on an x-ray, it is rule out other things. The symptoms sound bursitis-ish. And the NHS physio will say "that isn't what you were referred for so I can't do anything...".

  • Posted

    Have you remembered to drink a litre of water for at least three days?

     

  • Posted

    I had Bowen and felt quite ill afterwards, I may have been feeling ill anyway in all fairness. I am afraid it did not help me at all. 
    • Posted

      Well today i too have been feeling quite ill, sick and dizzy. I have spent all day in bed when i should have been at a bowls dinner so im not a happy bunny. No more Bowen Therapy for me.

       

  • Posted

    I had one session many years ago, right after it was introduced. Killed me during the session and a couple days after.  No relief. I said never again.  And no way could I have it with pmr.  No way.  We are all different...yes. But Bowen was not helpful for me.
  • Posted

    Would you please explain what Bowen therapy is?
    • Posted

      It is a (usually) very gentle hands on therapy - the best thing for you to do is google it as we can't give links here.

      The bowentechnique site says: "The Bowen move is very distinctive and is applied at very precise points on the body. It involves the movement of soft tissue in a specific way. The move is a rolling-type move of the thumbs and forefingers, and is designed to stimulate the tissue and nerve pathways, creating a focus for the brain.

      The move does not slide or flick over the surface of the skin, but uses the slack in the overlying skin to move over the underlying tissue, so each move covers a small area, defined by how far an individual’s skin can move over a targeted area."

      Which doesn't really explain much at all - but the rest of the page does.

      it is a myofascial release technique. So I suppose i you have severe myofascial pain it might be very painful.

      But that is what I find it so good for - myofascial pain syndrome. The fascia is the transparent skin encasing muscle groups that you will be familiar with from joints of meat or poultry. It too can become inflamed with the same inflammatory substances that cause PMR when they are in your system. Then it can irritate the muscles and cause pain.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.