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Does Bowen Treatment Cause flareup?

Posted , 5 users are following.

diane67131
diane67131

Well, halfway through writing things disappered. Hoping it didn't post because I wasn't done but If there's a half finished post, that's me.

I've managed to get off the prednisone, nice slow taper and I was doing fine, just a little achey, although nothing major, so I thought I'd be proactive and get a Bowens treatment.  I've never done it before but I've read on the forum that it seems to help a lot of people.  Unfortunately,  I'm much worse since I had it done.  I ache all over five days later.  Is this supposed to happen or does it get worse before it gets better?  Wondering what others have experienced.  

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • TIsser
    TIsser diane67131

    Posted

    Hi Diane. Just had 6 sessions of bowens immediately after I feel really great    And I am able to move my arm right over my head,  a few days later I find I have a lot of pain in my left arm, the pain decreases as the week goes on. On the whole after the sessions I do feel great.  I am reducing to 7/7.5 pred and my right arm and leg are fine, it's the myofascial pain that causes me a problem. 
    • diane67131
      diane67131 TIsser

      Posted

      Hi Tlsser,

      That's encouraging.  I went back today and I feel pretty good so far.  She didn't apply as much pressure as the last time.   We'll wait and see what happens.   I had reflexology a couple of years ago and I almost couldn't walk for five days.  Some treatements seem to aggravate this condition.   I appreciate your input.  I'm going to keep going.  

    • linda17563
      linda17563 diane67131

      Posted

      My Bowen lady only increases the pressure very slowly over the weeks, and asks me how I have been with it....you certainly don`t want much pressure...especially if it`s affecting you...lots of things seem to aggravate PMR....such a "pain"....good luck...
    • diane67131
      diane67131 linda17563

      Posted

      I think that's the plan now, increase the pressure slowly.  Yesterday was much better.  Yes, it is a "pain" (pains)! 
  • EileenH
    EileenH diane67131

    Posted

    Pressure? Funny Bowen - though I suppose all practitioners are different. My first one was quite firm in what she did - and I think she was actually the best. The current one is very soft in her actions. Very relaxing but perhaps not as acutely effective. All of them though have asked at the following appointment how I was after the previous one and have warned I might feel worse before I feel better after. Especially if they have done a lot.

    I think with all the complementary methods that are aimed at encouraging the body to "heal itself" - however you want to look at it - it is good to start low intensity and work up when you have PMR. If these therapies are doing what it is said they do then they will probably release any localised inflammatory substances into the body as whole. That is certainly what happens when you have manual mobilisation of the trigger points that are found in myofascial pain syndrome - however it is done, through Bowen or by a massage or physiotherapist using fingers/hands to work on the knots.

    If you reacted like that to relexology then I'm not surprised it happened in Bowen the first time. Hope this week's isn't so dramatic. You did remember to drink lots of water and walk in the fresh air didn't you? That is something the one I see here is very emphatic about. Perhaps my UK girls were less impressed by the quality of air there - they just said drink plenty of water...

    • diane67131
      diane67131 EileenH

      Posted

      I'm in the states and I don't think Bowen is that well known.  I had never heard of it until I read about it on this forum and there are only two that I could find in my state.  I'm this practicioner's first PMR client so I think she's navigating her way through this with me but I feel pretty confident that she knows what she's doing.  Yesterday was my second treatment and I feel better today.  I'll be updating her in a day or two to let her know how I'm doing.   No, I didn't drink a lot of water or walk outside.  Didn't know about that.   Thanks for that information.  
    • EileenH
      EileenH diane67131

      Posted

      Glad to hear you feel better this week - and has it had any positive effects? The negative bits that are temporary are acceptable when there is a benefit to balance it out.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga EileenH

      Posted

      Exactly how the light therapy works - start with very low dose, check how body reacts, and increase length and intensity very gradually over many sessions, always monitoring reactions.  Cutting back sessions working same way, a gradual withdrawal of frequency (although not intensity or length of session).  I've always needed a break and a snack after a session, and then I'm full of energy!
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