The countdown is over!

The Rio Olympic Games has finally arrived with the opening ceremony kicking off the games to a spectacular start. The UK along with the rest of the world watched what can only be described as a work of art during the early hours of this morning.

The London 2012 Olympic Games was a huge success with athletes going for gold and bringing compassion to their desired sport. With the Olympics running for just over two weeks, Rio is set to pull out all the stops and take every nation by storm.

However with every sport being as competitive as it is, it puts the athlete at risk in terms of injury. An awkward dive, trip or a fall on the gymnastic bar can cost not only the athletes career but also their country.

While the London 2012 Olympics saw a lot of highs it also saw a lot of lows.

Germany’s Mathias Steiner was struck by his falling weight after he dropped it during the man’s +105 kg Group A snatch weightlifting competition. He suffered muscle and ligament injuries which meant he was unable to complete his crouch position.

China’s Liu Xiang knocked over the first hurdle during the 110m hurdles rupturing his Achilles tendon.

Some of us may remember the horrific scenes of Sayaka Sato from Japan screaming in agony after falling to the ground and twisting her ankle during her round-of-16 women’s singles badminton match against Tine Baun from Denmark.

While all of these athletes and more had the courage to try and finish their sport some fell short due to the seriousness of their injury.

Months on end after the Olympics athletes spend recovering with much needed rest and physiotherapy. However, on top of regular physiotherapy, Olympians (and aspiring Olympians) could benefit from Bowen Therapy.

The Bowen Technique works to heal niggling problems, pains or injuries in an extremely gentle but effective way.

Bowen is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that ‘asks’ the body to recognise the ailment and make the changes it requires as opposed to ‘forcing’ the body change.

During the 30-60 minute treatment, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling, movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.

Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

One client said after experiencing constant hamstring strain: “I no longer have the constant ache and I feel that, after one more Bowen session, I will have almost full resolution.

If you have a sports injury and are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help, please visit http://www.bowentherapy.org.uk to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

 

Let’s talk 24:7

Mental health and depression is an ongoing issue within the UK with 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health problem in any given year. Not only are adults being greatly impacted by mental health, but 1 in 10 children and young people aged 5-16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder, with nearly 80,000 children and young people suffering from severe depression.

The Samaritans was founded by a vicar called Chad Varah in London, 1953, to offer support and guidance to those who needed it after originally setting out as a ‘999 for suicidal,’ where he described himself as ‘a man willing to listen, with a base and an emergency telephone.’

The initial structure behind Samaritans was that volunteers would sit with their callers while waiting for their appointments, offering the caller someone to talk to. It was then made immediate that the customer opened up to their volunteers knowing that someone was there to listen while offering non judgemental support. With the company growing, the service has now expanded from phone calls to one to one meetings, and has now 201 branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland. As the Samaritans go from strength to strength, Chad’s guiding principles of confidential, non-judgemental support is still carried on; paying more attention on the Samaritans awareness day this month (24th July 2016).

‘Sometimes hearing a supportive voice can give you that little bit of strength to keep going.’

Like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) which is commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, the Samaritans can also offer great positive emotional support and release. However, in some cases where this doesn’t work, to cope with depression, most sufferers are advised to take antidepressants to stabilise the chemical imbalances in the brain which are causing the symptoms of depression. Yet the original cause of why the chemicals become imbalanced is not known. That’s why we advise to treat your symptoms of depression with an additional therapy such as Bowen Therapy to relieve the deeper stress that has triggered the chemical imbalances.

Bowen Therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free, holistic therapy that consists of a Bowen practitioner making small rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at specific focus points on the body. Bowen Therapy encourages the body to recognise the problem itself, rather than “forcing” it to change.

Most people find that Bowen Therapy is a gentle and relaxing experience. The sessions generally last around 30 – 60 minutes. Only 1 – 3 sessions may be necessary to see and feel a result, however, depending on the severity and extent of a person’s depression can require more. While Bowen does not necessarily fix specific problems it helps the body to reach a more harmonious state.

Bowen Therapy can help you through the tough times and stand there smiling with you at the end of the year.

Bowen Therapy and Samaritans both value similar morals of recognising the problem rather than hiding away from it. Bowen Therapy is incredibly beneficial for emotional relaxation along with anxiety and stress release.

If you or somebody you know suffers with depression and is interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, please visit http://www.bowentherapy.org.uk to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

Also check out http://www.samaritans.org for their service and how they can help you. #Samaritans

 

International Bowen Therapy Week

International Bowen Therapy Week takes place each year from April 12-18; this year International Bowen Therapy Week also coincides with what would have been Tom Bowen’s 100th birthday!

The ideology behind International Bowen Therapy Week is to promote awareness and a further understanding of Bowen Therapy. Suitable for all ages; from babies through to Grandparents – Bowen Therapy is taught and practised internationally.

The awareness day will span across the United Kingdom – seeing BTPA practitioners host their own individual events to raise awareness of the cause and their organisation. Each year the BTPA opens their arms to other organisations in hopes that they will join them in celebrating Tom Bowen’s legacy and work.

It’s an exciting time for the BTPA – keep your eyes peeled in the upcoming weeks to learn exactly what events will be occurring.

Bowen therapy is a drug-free, non-invasive, form of holistic therapy that helps the body to heal itself; it does this by asking the body to recognise the problem and make the necessary changes to bring back the bodies physiological equilibrium. Suitable for both physical injuries and emotional stress; Bowen can help to relax the recipient. Relaxation is crucial in easing both pain and anxiety; leading to an overall better quality of life.

Please visit http://www.bowen-therapy.co/ or call 0844 561 7173 to learn more about Bowen Therapy and how it can help you.

Beat your New Year’s Resolutions

Year in and year out we make lists upon lists upon lists of the many things we’ll either give up, cut down on, or refrain from and every year we’ve crossed out everything we’ve written on the lists in a matter of days. Not this year though, no, 2016 will be your year to grab your New Year’s resolutions by the horns and be sitting here proudly at the end of the year with a big smile on your face knowing you’ve conquered the New Year’s bogeyman.

We all know that the resolutions we make aren’t always the easiest to complete, and that’s why we at the Bowen Therapy Professional Association – BTPA for short – provide you with the very best qualified Bowen Technique therapists to guide you through your journey to completing those lists you’ve been writing for all these years.

 

The Bowen Technique is a simple yet effective drug-free, non-invasive remedial technique that is administered by one of our many trained professional therapists. The technique itself applies a finger and thumb rolling movement to your muscle ligaments, tendons and fascia, allowing yourboddy to release stress from a very deep, intimate level therefore encouraging your body to repair, heal, and grow naturally.

No matter what your resolution is, Bowen can work wonders for you. Whether you’re looking to quit that smoking habit you’ve picked up, or cut down on all the stress that’s been sneaking your way, or to simply get yourself into shape for the summer – we all want that summer body, don’t we? – Bowen Therapy can help you through the tough times and stand there smiling with you at the end of the year.

If you’re interested in beating your New Year’s resolutions with the help of Bowen, please visit http://www.bowen-therapy.org.uk or call 0844 561 7173.

How Bowen Can Help Different Professions

It’s very common that a visit to a Bowen therapist is due to a problem caused by work. Whether it’s physical pain from a manual handling role or a mental drain from a high-stress position – Bowen is ready to help relieve ailments caused.

Hairdressers: Many hairdressers are known to suffer with elbow and shoulder pain from trimming hair all day. Not only that but they also are incredibly prone to back pain due to standing on their feet all day. Time to rest those feet and arms and relax with some Bowen.

Teachers: It’s no secret that being a teacher can be one of the most stressful job roles. So if you spend five days a week in the classroom, perhaps it’s time to treat yourself to some stress revealing Bowen. Bowen can even help to aid Repetitive Stress Injury from writing on the whiteboard.

Policemen: Plantar fasciitis is a common affliction for cops on the beat; plantar fasciitis is a disorder resulting in pain in the heel and bottom of the foot. A treatment of Bowen can help the body to recognise the problem and work towards fixing it.

Nurses: Much like policemen, nurses are also prone to developing plantar fasciitis due to running about the wards all day. Our nurses work very hard and rarely get to rest their feet. Treat a nurse you know to some well deserved Bowen therapy today!

Office: It’s easy to disregard office jobs as a source of physical injury however despite being one of the less physical jobs on this list – many office workers rely on Bowen to help aid their discomfort. Slouching over your desk gives you bad posture which in turn can cause back strain and shoulder pain. Staring at a computer screen all day can also cause headaches which could be eased with Bowen.

On the late shift: Though it’s less than ideal, many of us work the late shift – meaning we could be getting home and going to bed at 7am. It can be difficult and frustrating trying  to sleep whilst the rest of the world is just getting started can be very difficult and frustrating. Bowen is renound for being able to help ease symptoms of fatigue and insomnia.

Do any of the job roles above relate to you? Or do any of those struggles sound like ones you may be having? Perhaps it’s time to try Bowen Therapy. If you are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, visit http://www.bowen-therapy.co/ or call 0844 561 7173.

National Stress Awareness Day

November 4th will see the arrival of National Stress Awareness Day.

Whether it’s your job, home-life, money or just a sheer multitude of tasks, it’s easy for stress to occur in every day life and sometimes it can amount to too much. Remember to slow down and take a deep breath every once in a while. Whatever you’re stressing over is certainly not more valuable than your health.

So how does stress actually affect us? Well it can result in increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, tightened muscles and even heart disease and depression.

It’s time to chill out and Bowen can help. The Bowen Technique is a finger thumb rolling movement which applied to specific points of the body. The gentle movements are rolled over muscles ligaments, tendons and fascias. Bowen Therapy is a drug free, non invasive holistic treatment which stimulates the body to realign and restore its physiological equilibrium.

By targeting specific points of the body, the Bowen Technique can release deep stress and tension which results in the relief of pain. Bowen Therapy sessions last between 30 – 60 minutes and you are required to have a number of sessions in order for body to respond and react to the therapy.

If you or somebody you know suffers with stress and is interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, please visithttp://www.bowen-therapy.co to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

Stoptober

Can you believe it’s October already?! That means two things. 1) It’s almost time to pick out your Halloween costume and 2) It’s the first day of Stoptober.

If you’re not already familiar with Stobtober, it’s an NHS campaign designed to encourage people to stop smoking throughout the month of October. Research claims that those who can successfully give up smoking for four weeks are much more likely to continue being smoke-free afterwards.

There are roughly 10 million adults in Britain who regularly smoke cigarettes

There are endless gimmicks and substitutes for smokers to explore on their quest to give up smoking — but how many of these can actually have an effect?

The BTPA fully embrace the notion of Stoptober, and understand just how stressful it can be. That’s why we’re here to help, with our natural stress relief alternative!

The Bowen technique is a natural, non-invasive therapy that can help to relieve you of any stress you may be experiencing. Be it work, home, or in this case giving up smoking, stress can come at you from all directions.

Typically a Bowen treatment will last 30-60 minutes and consist of small rolling movements over muscles and tissue in order to relax the body. This encourages the body to relax and ease the stressful thoughts of giving up smoking.

A previous client of Bowen said that Bowen was “exactly what I needed at a time when stress in my life has been at a peak.” So why not give it a go! Leave your smoking stress in the past and look forward to a relaxed and healthier future!

As the whole message of Stoptober states — if you can survive October, you can survive the rest of the year smoke-free, heck you can even spend forever smoke-free. Combining this motivation with frequent Bowen treatments; the once seemingly daunting task of breaking up with nicotine should become a breeze!

If you or somebody you know is participating in Stoptober and would like to know more about how Bowen therapy could help them.

Please visit our website http://www.bowen-therapy.co/Bowen/btpa-find-therapist.asp to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.

Aromatherapy Awareness Week

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, 850,000 people in the UK are currently living with Dementia; 750,000 of these are over 65 years of age. A shocking 7 in 10 people are suffering with another medical condition as well as Dementia.

Dementia is a syndrome associated with the decline of the brain and its abilities. Common problems caused by dementia include memory loss, slower thinking speeds and the weakening of mental agility. Sufferers can also experience hallucinations, the loss of empathy and depression.

This week (8^th-14^th June) is National Aromatherapy Awareness Week. The International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) chose Dementia as this year’s theme for the week to raise awareness of the many benefits of Clinical Aromatherapy in assisting with the neurological and psychological effects of dementia.

A focus for this week is on identifying alternative therapies that can benefit Dementia sufferers.

Bowen Therapy is a drug-free remedial technique that involves the therapist using their fingers and thumbs to create a gentle rolling movement over muscle ligaments, tendons, and fascias. It is often used by celebrities such as adventurer Bear Grylls, motorcycle racer James Ellison, and pop-sensation Kylie Minogue to relieve stress among other things.

The Bowen Technique can help to relieve the symptoms of a variety of health problems and wellbeing concerns. The Alzheimer’s Society reported that 61% of Dementia sufferers felt anxious or depressed and that 40% of them felt lonely. Bowen Therapy is known to be beneficial in several cases of emotional stress, allowing relaxation to become a prime factor in the easing of pain and anxiety. With approximately 340,000 practitioners in 59 countries, Bowen Therapy is a readily available complimentary therapy that effectively relieves pain and boosts relaxation, potentially giving a large demographic of Dementia sufferers relief.

Whilst most types of Dementia unfortunately can’t be cured, treatments such as Bowen Therapy can provide them with a better quality of life and much-needed relief from the stress and pain the syndrome causes on a daily basis.

Bowen Therapy is generally pleasant to receive, with a session lasting between 30 – 60 minutes depending on the age of the client and the nature of their symptoms. Bowen Therapy requires a break of 5 – 10 days between sessions to allow the muscles to process the subtle changes made within the session and to adapt accordingly.

Bowen Therapy Professional Association provides standards of professional excellence and a code of practice for the protection and benefit of the public and its members.

If you could benefit from trying Bowen Therapy or know of someone that could be in need of Bowen Therapy please contact a the BTPA by calling 0844 561 7173 or find a BTPA certified therapist near you by clicking here.

Clearing out the Medicine Cabinet for 2015

Firstly, Happy New Year from us at the BTPA! For most, January is the start of a health kick as part of their new year’s resolutions. With a general focus on a better wellbeing; dieting, quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol are some of the more popular New Year’s resolutions the UK strives for.

As part of your New Year’s detox, it might be beneficial for you to consider what prescribed medicines you consume day to day and see if you can convert to a healthier, alternative remedy or therapy.

A report conducted by the Health and Social Care Information Centre has found that nearly 50% of the adult population are taking prescription drugs to combat a range of illnesses and health issues. More than a fifth of men and nearly a quarter of women are taking at least three prescriptions. Obviously there are illnesses which are recommended to be treated with prescribed medicines but there are also health problems which can be treated with alternative, therapies and natural remedial techniques.

Pain relief and antidepressants were amongst the most prescribed medicines. 1 in 10 women are reported to be taking antidepressants, double the amount compared to men. Certain types of pain can be relieved and mental health issues can be aided through the use of alternative and remedial therapies.

Bowen Therapy is an example of a complementary remedial technique which can be used to relieve a variety of health problems and wellbeing concerns. Bowen Therapy is a drug free, holistic remedy meaning the whole body is considered through the therapy and the whole body is responsive to the technique.

The Bowen Technique applies a finger, thumb rolling movement to the client’s muscle ligaments, tendons and fascias, allowing the body to release stress from a very deep level, therefore encouraging the body to repair and heal naturally.

Due to the relief of deep stress and tension on the body through muscle stimulation, Bowen Therapy is an ideal holistic remedy to relieve pain. Specific areas of the body can be targeted such as the lower back or shoulder pain however; you may find that Bowen Therapy also relieves pain from other areas across the body.

Those who suffer from mental health problems may find that Bowen Therapy can help relieve them of the symptoms of their conditions. The Bowen Technique aims to release stress from deep inside the body, encouraging the body to restore its natural hormonal and physiological balance. This may in turn help reduce some of the symptoms of mild depression, anxiety and stress.

Bowen Therapy is generally pleasant to receive, with a session lasting between 30 – 60 minutes depending on the age of the client and the nature of their symptoms. This treatment requires a break of 5 – 10 days between sessions to allow the muscles to process the subtle changes and to adapt to therapy. Bowen therapy is suitable for all ages.

To find out more about which heath problems and wellbeing concerns Bowen Therapy can help with, visit the BTPA testimonials page here. To locate a Bowen Therapist near you click here.

BTPA Recognises the British Military’s Service and their Sacrifices. Lest we Forget.

To commemorate the contribution of the British Military, society came together to remember their war efforts and the loss of loved ones on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. Thinking of the past and present we remember the veterans of the World Wars and recognise those service men and women, who have supported the country in more recent conflicts.

Millions of people across the UK took two minutes out of their day to silently pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. Falling on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” Armistice Day marks nearly a century since the official agreement was signed between the Allies and Germany to end the conflict that comprised the First World War.

The Tower of London was the showpiece of the remembrance days where millions of visitors and residents flooded to pay their respects in front of the 888, 246 ceramic poppies, each representing a British Military fatality during the First World War. Today the poppies are being dismantled and collected by 8,000 volunteers and are shortly being sold off for £25 each which collectively will raise over £15m for 6 British Military service charities.

Local residents across the UK took it upon themselves to take time out of their day show their respects. Anthony Lawrence, a Birmingham based Bus Driver explained how he took time out of his working day safely to pull his bus over and get off to show his respects; “It was a nice touch that people got off the bus after switching off the engine to pay their respects with me”.

We should remember not only how the British Military have served our country to ensure we live in safety but acknowledge how themselves and their families have been affected by the conflicts.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by traumatic and distressing events which many military service men and woman often suffer from after serving in the Armed Forces.

The time length when someone suffers from PTSD can vary massively. It can occur straight after a traumatic incident or can be triggered years later.  Someone who is suffering from PTSD often relives the incident through nightmares or flashbacks triggered by everyday situations. The symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can vary depending on the individual’s experience.

Symptoms may include:

• Re-experiencing

When the individual relives the traumatic event resulting in physical changes such as erratic behaviour, pain or trembling.

• Avoidance and emotional numbing

Avoiding certain people, places or objects which remind the PTSD sufferer of the traumatic incident. They might also avoid discussing the event completely.

• Feeling on edge
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Headaches

Between 2005 and 2014, 1,390 claims were awarded under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme for mental disorders, including PTSD. With the Armed Forces withdrawing from Afghanistan and Iraq, it is likely that these stats will unfortunately increase.

Bowen Therapy can help to relieve the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as it relieves stress from deep inside the body which can help reduce the symptoms of PTSD and can encourage the individual to regain a normal life.

The Bowen Technique is a finger and thumb rolling movement which is applied to specific points of the body. It is performed on muscles, ligaments and soft tissue using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that person. No hard manipulation or force is needed or used. The Bowen Technique encourages the whole body to restore its natural hormonal and physiological balance, resulting in a release of deep stress from the individual’s body.

Bowen Therapy is not forcing the body to change, but asking the body to recognise the treatment and make the make the improvements accordingly.

People normally find that Bowen Therapy is a gentle and relaxing experience. The sessions generally last around 30 – 60 minutes. Only 1 – 3 sessions may be necessary to see and feel a result, however, depending on the severity of the PTSD the individual is suffering, they may require more.

If you think you suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or know somebody that does, we recommend that you visit your local GP for a full diagnosis and then choose to receive Bowen Therapy post diagnosis.

Click here to locate a Bowen Therapist near you.

To find out more about how the Bowen Therapy Professional Association can help you, click here.

The Royal British Legion supports serving members of the Armed Forces, ex-Service men and women and their families. To donate to The Royal British Legion click here.