Why does Bowen Therapy work so fast for some and slow for others?
It’s not unusual after receiving a Bowen treatment that we cannot immediately see or experience changes in our body, as changes can be very subtle and unnoticeable. This should not be seen as a negative. Bowen can work at such a deep level within the body, it’s not always evident on the surface. It would be premature to think that the treatment is not working.
We are all very different and unique in the way we are made (our DNA), the way we react, function etcetera. Our age, level of fitness and lifestyle have a role to play as well as our sensitivity or openness to receive an unconventional treatment.
A mind of its own
What’s more, our body has got a mind of its own. It’s incredibly intelligent and knows what’s best for us. We have to start believing in our body’s ability to heal itself. Empower it to empower ourselves! It will heal what it thinks is right for you at that moment, during and after treatment. Even if we don’t feel anything happening, it’s working towards getting us better. It does not mean that the pain, injury or whatever level of discomfort will be gone. It could be it, but it might not depending on what your body’s plan is. Our body will never work against us, quite the opposite. It will do everything in its power to get us in a good comfortable state. This is where Bowen comes into the scene. Bowen is a tool used by a therapist to help or direct our body get into the right balance or get its harmony back.
As a result of a combination of unhealthy lifestyle, diet, toxins, pollution, stress (physical, mental and emotional) and also contact with radiation, our body has lost a lot of its ability to heal. As Bowen practitioners, we act as conductors of an orchestra. Its then up to everybody involved (organ systems) to carry through their own tasks! Basically, in very simple terms, the nervous system will send the message to the brain and instruct the other systems what to do.
Understanding the holistic approach
So, if after your first treatment you feel nothing is happening, don’t give up and think that the treatment is not helping. There might be other issues at a deeper level that your body might need to deal with first before it can create a change that will reduce the pain or discomfort that you are experiencing.
Bowen therapy has a holistic approach which means it looks at the big picture, it looks at the body as a whole. The body will take the information we give it and will start working towards re-balancing where it is needed.
It’s like you going into your office. You don’t just arrive in your office and call a client you have to talk to. You sit at your desk, switch your computer on, go and get a coffee and when you come back your computer is ready to use, right? Then you look at your diary, check your emails and plan your day. It’s the same with our body. Once the body receives the information the practitioner sent through the gentle moves performed over muscles or tendons, the body will pause and decide what it will initially start doing. The body will work until the information has been used up, which takes 5-10 days and then the next Bowen treatment will help continue the repair process.
The eleven major organ systems
There are 11 major organ systems in the human body, which include the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, nervous and endocrine systems. The immune, integumentary (skin, hair, nail, glands, and nerves), skeletal, muscle and reproductive systems are also part of the human body.
Our body is in charge and responsible for looking after all of these systems!
If you think of it, what a task and responsibility.
Maybe we should try to remember this and feel gratitude towards our body and support it by looking after it.
We actually share some of that responsibility as we are in control of what we put in our body (food, liquids), and what we make it do or not do (physical activity or not).
We can see this responsibility sharing as positive or negative.
Do we help our body or do we create burdens with our lifestyle?
Just a question to ponder on…
What should you do after your treatment to contribute to its effectiveness?
WATER: Please ensure that you drink at least 5 glasses of still water minimum each day. A hydrated body is a healthy body and Bowen works better when we keep hydrated.
MOVING: In the days immediately following a Bowen Technique treatment, try not to sit still for more than 30 minutes at a time so that the body can make the adjustments it wants to. A little walk around the room to have a stretch is all that is required to keep things moving.
RESPONSES: Responses to Bowen treatment, which may be experienced, can include hot and cold flushes, headaches, emotional releases, thirst, tiredness and body aches, and pains. These are all positive signs that the healing process is working.These responses usually clear after a few days.
EXERCISE: Continue with any comfortable and gentle exercise regime that you already have, unless otherwise advised. Avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours after your Bowen Technique treatment.
MEDICATION: Do not alter any medication or diet that has been prescribed for you.
HEAT/COLD: Do not use ice packs or heat pads during a course of Bowen treatment.
OTHER THERAPIES: During the course of treatment with the Bowen Technique, do not receive another physical therapy such as reflexology, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, etc., within seven days before your Bowen Technique treatment or within seven days after you have finished Bowen Technique treatments. This is to ensure that the body is not overloaded with information or given differing therapeutic information to deal with at the same time.
I’m sure anyone who has had Bowen treatment will relate to what I’ve shared here; and hopefully, for those who are contemplating having their first Bowen treatment, this will help them understand the power of the therapy and help manage their expectations.
I wish you good luck with all the decisions you make in the future regarding the looking after of your wonderful being! 🙂
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