A Great Blog

Changing Posture

2012-05-17T01:18:00.000-07:00

Time seems to be hurtling by. With only a couple of weeks to go before our 500 mile trek across Spain. Managed to break the 12 mile barrier yesterday and forced ourselves to do another 4 miles first thing this morning. Aching a little but nothing major.
As a Bowen Therapist I am ding interesting to note just how quickly our bodies are changing, particularly posture. The body will always adapt to circumstances. Prior to this we have done little walking, so our bodies have been working hard recently to make what we need to do as easy and efficient as possible - remember that our body is exceedingly clever and is always asking the questions "Fit for What?" & "how can I improve?"

It will be interesting to see how our bodies change over weeks of continuous punishment.

Family and friends think we are bonkers, and I have to say I think we must both be missing a marble or two. However if a great charity like Rowcroft Hospice can benefit from our folly, then at least there must be some method to our madness.

If you would like to make a donation to our chosen charity please click on the link below (and also tell others too)
www.virginmoneygiving.com/SallyandAustin

Training miles 9, Injuries 1

2012-05-14T12:05:00.001-07:00

Fully packed and loaded. We set of on our first extended walk around Devon as part of our training regime for next months adventure across Spain.
The 9 miles went quite quickly and the views around Marldon & Compton were spectacular. The only slight fly in the ointment was that I managed to removed half of my nail off of my little toe! Not a good start.
Not much Bowen Therapy can do for that. Attached is a little picture along the way.
This is also my first experiment of using my iPhone to blog with, as access to a computer will be a rarity on the 500 mile walkway.

Remember to donate to our chosen cause by clicking on the link www.virginmoneygiving.com/SallyandAustin

Walking 500 Miles for Rowcroft Hospice

2012-05-13T11:37:00.002-07:00

The month of June is going to be an exciting one for me and my wife Sally, as we are setting out on a month long adventure on the 'Way of St. James'. This is an ancient pilgrimage route dating back to at least the 7th Century. The route we will be walking will take us from St. Jean Port de Pied in France at the northern end of the Pyrenees. We will then be travelling west for 500 miles to finish at the town of Santiago de Compostela. For those who wish to benefit from some Bowen Therapy during the month of June will just simply have to wait, or meet me somewhere along the way in Spain. It has occurred to both of us that this is possibly an insane escapade, yet will be raising money for a worthy cause: Rowcroft Hospice. We have therefore concluded that if such a great charity can benefit from our folly, all the better. If you would like to make a donation, large or small please go to: www.virginmoneygiving.com/SallyandAustin I will also be keeping up to date through this blog whenever possible along the way. TTFN

Bowen Therapy and the Million Dollar Question

2012-03-15T03:44:00.000-07:00

The question that so many people ask is "How does Bowen Therapy work?"

In order to help us answer this question, and to help clients (as well as Therapists) get a better idea of what is happening to the body during a treatment of Bowen Technique; I have attached a short video of the Principal of the European College of Bowen Studies, Julian Baker describing in straightforward terms what goes on following a 'Bowen Move' and why such a gentle rolling type move can have such profound effects on the body's ability to heal.

Watch and Enjoy.

It's Official! Bowen Therapy & Hamstrings

2012-03-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

R E S E A R C H A B S T R A C T

Effects of The Bowen Technique on Flexibility Levels:
Implications for Fascial Plasticity

Michelle Marr, MSc BSc (Hons) PgCertEd MCSP
Chartered Physiotherapist and External Lecturer for Coventry University

Nicky Lambon, MA MCSP SRP DipTP
Principal Lecturer and Programme Manager at Coventry University, UK

Julian Baker, Director of The European College of Bowen Studies
Corsley Centre, Wiltshire BA12 7QF
Phone: 01373 832340
email: info@thebowentechnique.com

BACKGROUND: Hamstring strains are the most common sport-related injury in the lower limb, with high recurrence rates and lengthy recovery periods. Causal links between lack of flexibility and development of muscle strain injury are frequently reported. The financial implication of treating such injuries provides a continual drive to deliver more effective, evidence-based treatment. Since 1994, a complementary therapy called ‘The Bowen Technique’ has been used to treat inflexibility and many other conditions. The technique provides gentle rolling moves over fascial interfaces without heating, stretching or specific joint mobilisation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the Bowen technique, on the hamstring flexibility of healthy subjects, over time.

METHOD: A single-blinded, longitudinal, RCT was performed on 116 male and female volunteers. Participants were randomly allocated into a control group or Bowen intervention group. Three hamstring flexibility measurements were taken from each subject over one week, using an active knee extension test and an electrogoniometer. An independent assessor verified the

RESULTS: Data were analysed using independent t-tests. Significant increases in hamstring flexibility were demonstrated in the Bowen group immediately post-test (p<0.0005). These increases maintained for one week (p<0.0005) without further treatment.

CONCLUSION: A single treatment of the Bowen technique significantly increases the flexibility of the hamstring muscles in healthy subjects and maintains this increase for a period of one week in the absence of tissue heating, stretching, or specific joint mobilisation. Previous quantitative research has reported sustained flexibility increases for a maximum of twenty-four hours. This study has provided new information relating to the subject of flexibility. The superficial and gentle nature of the Bowen Technique invalidates explanations of tissue creep yet provides implications for plasticity following proprioceptive stimulation along the thoracolumbar and lumboeplvic myofascial slings. Further research is required into such proprioceptive mechanisms in relation to manual therapy techniques.
January 2008

This research was published in the Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies in July 2011.

A New look at Anatomy: The Cutting Edge - Exeter 7th March £25

2012-03-06T01:56:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a one off special.
I must be insane, as I am going to be holding my signature 1 Day seminar 'A New look at anatomy: The Cutting Edge of Fight or Flight, Fat & Fascia' which is an FHT Accredited CPD course for an unbelievable £25!!!

There are so many Therapists out there who just can't afford the ever increasing CPD requirements, yet it is vital that they do so with growing regulation. So I am giving everyone the chance to learn something spectacular, new and exciting in the world of Human Anatomy.

For those of you who have not attended before, my presentation are informative, visually entertaining, and most of all FUN.

It all happens on Wednesday, 7th March at the Holmedale Health Centre. We start at 9.30am and aim to finish around 4.30pm.

I look forward to see you there.

FHT Accredited Full Day Course - 7th march exeter - Only £25

2012-02-27T00:23:00.000-08:00

This is the only chance to attend "A New Look at Anatomy" fully FHT accredited CPD course for therapists in Exeter for a staggering £25. Yes just £25 for 6 hours of cutting edge discoveries about the human body. everything fro the History of Medicine, the Fight or Flight Mechanism to tensional anatomy and ground breaking dissections. Only 12 places available - Book Now

New Seminar - The Successful Therapist: How to get yourself noticed

2012-02-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

Hold on to your breaches, ABJ is back in Bath! 29th February. The latest Metabolics seminar from that barking mad Therapist Lecturer (with fluffy dog). All new 1 day course "The Successful Therapist:How to Get Yourself Noticed" - Everything from simple marketing techniques to branding and networking! The best kept secrets to making a success of your therapy business without breaking the bank. Book your place now! contact philly@metabolics.co.uk

What Grandma Used To Say

2012-01-29T02:07:00.000-08:00

Granny used to say that a bath in Epsom Salts at the end of a hard day worked wonders! Was this just a quaint folk remedy or was there truth behind this rather effective approach, that many a welsh miner swore by?

When we exercise or do hard physical labour Calcium builds up in our system, as Calcium is used to tight our muscles. Magnesium is in essence it's opposite, as Magnesium relaxes muscle tissue.

Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulphate) Soaks can be extremely
helpful for many muscular conditions and are often recommended.
Amongst many other functions Magnesium helps

nerve and muscle function
joint health
digestive processes
helps to reduce swelling / pain of muscle strain
relaxes
can be mood-elevating

Soaking in a nice warm (not hot) bath containing about 250g of Epsom Salts
once or twice a week can be an excellent aid to easing aches and
pains. If you do this last thing before going to bed you may have a
better night’s sleep.

Feet can also be soaked in a wash-up bowl of warm water
containing a few tablespoons of Epsom Salts if bathing is a problem.

N.B. contra-indication of using Epsom Salts is if you have High Blood Pressure, if in doubt consult your Doctor.

Epsom Salts can be found in most good pharmacies and health shops.
If you have difficulty locating them, please contact me.

Granny was right then, although I would say that Epsom Salt should really only be used externally.

TTFN

Cut Down on Fruit and Eat more Lard!

2012-01-27T04:50:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you may think that by creating the above title that I may have finally lost the plot.
well as bonkers as this statement may sound, there is in fact a certain method to what appears on the surface to be Madness.

Lard is a Saturated Fat, which for nearly 50 years has been labelled as being bad for us. However given that our brain is made of just Saturated Fat and Cholesterol it seems somewhat odd that it should be labelled as such. Coupled with the fact that so many other aspects of our system rely on Saturated Fat rather than unsaturated is again a puzzle. Every time we breathe, the lubricant that allows us to do that is ....saturated fat.
Mothers milk is 54% Saturated 46% Unsaturated. This is not a mistake. Our bodies need roughly a 50/50 split of Saturated and unsaturated fats. There is growing evidence that out very obsession with unsaturated and trans fats is possibly a major contributing factor to alzheimers, dementia and parkinsons, as well as many others.

Fruit Sugars (Fructose) quite literally make us fat.
if you were to consume 100g of glucose, your liver doesn't have to work very hard to process it, as glucose happily potters about in our blood stream. Of that 100g, about 4g-6g of that is 'held back' as Fat.
If however you were to consume 100g of Fructose, you liver have to run practically at full tilt to process it, and of that 100g, about 40g of it will become Fat.

Most fruit tend to be a combination of Fructose, Sucrose and Glucose.
A good portion of them tend to be mostly Fructose - hence 'Fruit Sugar'.

The new line of thinking is that Unsaturated and Saturated fats are good for you, as are vegetables - particular cruciferous one (broccolli, cabbage, then green ones etc). However Trans fats (fats that have been messed with) and High Fructose Fruits are a no no.

Hence my original title: 'Cut down on Fruit and Eat more Lard'

This leads me on nicely to my next seminars in Exeter and Bath on this very subject, and entitled appropriately enough: 'A New Look at Fat: The Good, The Bad, and the Zebra'

watch the Video, then book a place.

For details about the Exeter Seminar please contact me on 07811 518351

For the Seminar in Bath please contact philly@metabolics.co.uk

TTFN

Bowen Therapy Totnes

2012-01-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

What's the time Mr Wolf?

2012-01-13T05:39:00.000-08:00

Due to my little scatter brained self - I forgot to mention what time the CPD Workshop in Exeter was going to start on the 1st February.

So here is the Schedule:-

09.00 Registration
09.30 Start
11.00 Break (15 minutes)
12.30 Lunch
13.30 Part 2
15.00 Break (15 Minutes)
17.00 Finish

Please bring along a video camera and/or Mobile Phone that can do video if you have one.

To Book please call Holmedale Health Centre on 01392 454954, you can pay by card over the phone. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements when booking.

TTFN

Bowen Therapy, Radio 2 and Whiplash

2012-01-12T02:28:00.000-08:00

Given that Bowen Therapy has a great reputation for sorting out Whiplash injuries, even the long standing ones, I couldn't help but comment on the latest media onslaught regarding Whiplash injuries and treatment.

This morning on Radio 2 the news announced that too many folk were claiming for whiplash injuries, and that the government should step in.
This I am afraid just goes to show how little insurance companies and the transport quango understand about whiplash in the first place.
I am sure they are right when they say that there are false claims, but at the same time the vast majority of whiplash injuries I treat don't manifest themselves until 6-9 months following an accident. It has been left untreated as the accidents were considered too minor. In other cases where the accident was severe enough to cause instant problem, it has been quite of a month or so before the patient actually receives any treatment - no wonder the claims run into thousands of pounds!
It is my opinion that any car incident regardless of how small - everyone should get some kind of therapy straight away ( I am talking within hours here, or as soon as is practical) whether or not they feel fine. As a preventative measure this could save insurance companies and the people involved an absolute fortune.
Just think about it - half a ton of metal hitting you at even 10 mph is going to give you a shock; physically, emotionally and psychologically.
It doesn't matter whether the car is damaged or not.
If there are family members in the car, particularly young children, just think of the instant emotional trauma that would go through your head, and I have also seen this happen to the driver of a car who struck a car containing children. The damage was minimal, but the driver was besides themselves with worry.
Payouts of thousands of pounds is unnecessary if you get treated asap. The longer you leave it, the layer of problems and compensation that the body has to deal with will increase.
Whiplash is not simply a neck problem, although many treat it as such. The movement of the head send a 'whiplash' type wave that runs down the spine - think of the head being the handle of the whip, ask yourself where does the 'crack' actually occur.... you got it down the other end. Hence for those folk who I'm sure we all know who have had long standing 'whiplash' for years, remaining unresolved, is in my opinion due to the fact that everyone is looking in the wrong place.
This is not some kind of radical new medical theory, it's just plain common sense - which I am afraid seems to be in short supply in certain quarters.

TTFN

Early Bird Discount for CPD in Exeter

2012-01-10T23:43:00.000-08:00

Only a few days left if you wish to benefit from the early bird discount for next months CPD course for therapists in Exeter on the 1st of February. Book before the end of working hours on Friday 13th January and the full price for the whole day, which includes a hot two course Lunch and refreshments plus CPD certificate will be yours for just £75.

Why so cheap you may ask yourself? Well the answer is simple - being a Therapist myself, I have not been immune to the last couple of years of tough times. Practically every Therapist I know has been having a hard time in their businesses, many of whom have had to change their careers.

So creating this one day course specifically for therapists, and how to get back on track for a successful business without breaking the bank, seemed like the least I could do.

Watch the latest in my series of strange videos, which will hopefully give you a little taster of what will be in store for the lucky attendees.....

Remember you can book directly and pay by Card by phoning Holmedale Health Centre on 01392 454954 or if you have any questions or special dietary requirements call me direct on 07811 518351 or email: info@bowenindevon.co.uk

I look forward to seeing you there!

TTFN

Therapy in Business, Exeter - Details

2011-12-30T03:27:00.000-08:00

Bowen Therapy Basics

2011-12-23T09:58:00.000-08:00

It is one of the best pieces of advice a fellow Bowen Therapist gave to me many years ago - get back to basics every so often and attend a 'Part 5 final level' in Bowen Therapy.

It has been a while since I last took part in one of these Practitioner final level courses. It can also be quite unnerving for the other attendees as they will almost all be new, and taking this exam for the first time.

I have to say it is unnerving for me too, as expectations are high, and I have been doing this for a good number of years now, so the pressure to not look bad or make mistakes is also high.

The idea of course is to learn. It always amazes me, that even though I perform Bowen Technique on patients nearly every day, that my 'position' and 'movement' needs polish. Each time I attend one of these courses, there is sure to be a move or two where I have drifted a bit, although this year I managed to be out of line by about an inch, which fortunately wasn't critical in this particular case, but could have reduced the effectiveness of the therapy in certain cases.

Hence why it is so important for me to get back to basics, regularly.

I never stop learning.

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, and I pray that the New year brings Prosperity and Peace to you and your families.

TTFN

Upcoming Seminar Videos in Exeter and Bath

2011-12-12T08:13:00.000-08:00

For those of you who wish to know a little more about the seminars I will be hosting next year in Exeter and Bath; a few video links that might give you a better idea of the subject matter we will be covering.

These lecture are open to everybody, but are aimed mainly at Therapists of any modality, as well as other medical professionals. I keep the terminology to a minimum, and the events are structured to be fun and entertaining, as well as informative and educational.

A New Look at Fat: The Good The Bad and the Zebra

Fat Seminar Video Link

A New look at Aminos: Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll

Amino Acid Seminar Video Link

I hope these are useful.

From all here at the 'Bowen Therapy in Devon' clinics in Exeter and Totnes, I wish you a very merry Christmas, Drive safely, and remember that following all that christmas pud, and games of Twister - if your body starts to squeak, just think of the Bowen Technique! ;o)

TTFN

New Seminar Date for Exeter & Bath 2012

2011-11-30T09:42:00.000-08:00

Greetings all, and dare I say it 'Yuletide' ones at that.

Folk have been asking me for next years 'New Look at Anatomy' Seminar dates for next year. Well just to keep everyone happy, here they are (there may be more to follow):

Therapy In Business:Healing and/or making Money
Exeter: 1st February 2012
Bath: 29th February 2012

A New Look at Aminos: Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
Exeter: 7th March 2012
Bath: 2nd May 2012

A New Look at Fat: The Good, the bad, and the Zebra
Exeter: 4th April 2012
Bath: 30th May 2012

All the seminars taking place in Bath are being run by Metabolics. Please contact Philly@metabolics.co.uk for bookings at these events.

Seminars taking place in Exeter will be at Holmedale Health Centre. Please contact myself via email or contact the Centre by phone on 01392 454954.

TTFN

Bristol Anniversary

2011-11-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Something somewhat unrelated to Bowen Therapy this time but I thought I would pop it in my blog anyway, because good news is the best form of advertising for any business.

It was our 11th Anniversary on the 11th November, so me and my wife decided to go to Bristol for the weekend. Spending a couple of nights at the Marriot and dining out at a couple of snazzy restaurants in the evenings.
Firstly I have to congratulate Bristol as a city, as everywhere we went the service was friendly and helpful, which these days seems to be a rarity. This applied to the Hotel, shops and eateries of all kinds including the average bod on the street when asking for direction in the pouring rain.

We pushed the boat out on the first night and went to the award winning Casamia restaurant in Westbury-on-Trym. This place is not your run of the mill dining experience. It is a taste sensation! Not for the faint of heart (or wallet) but worth it as a one off special occasion. Be warned that if you can't deal with 'a little bit of nothing on a big white plate' then you are in the wrong place. The presentation and theatrics coupled with singular mouthfuls of adventure are amazing, and after 8 (or 11) courses, small though they may be, we didn't go away hungry.

We wondered around Bristol centre the following day, and we were still talking about the food from the previous night. Saturday evening we dined at a little Italian near the Hotel called Picolina's.
Fantastic friendly Bar and restaurant staff ( as we hadn't booked, it was late, and we needed to wait for a table) great tasting food.

Another little mention goes to 'Tampopo' where we had lunch in Cabots circus. This is a multi asian fusion cuisine place, similar in style to Wagamamas. A little less frantic though, with some unusual dishes. Really tasty (considering it's a chain) and once again good friendly service. Well done Bristol!

TTFN

Bath Anatomy Seminar

2011-10-07T05:49:00.000-07:00

An exciting day was had by all at the latest in the New Look at Anatomy series held in Bath. This was the first in a series of seminars I am delivering in conjunction with Metabolics ( www.metabolics.com ). The next three seminars will be in February and May next year - 'Therapy in Business', 'A New Look at Fat: The Good, The Bad and the Zebra' and 'A New look at Aminos: Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll'. These three seminars will be held in Bath at the Old Orchard Theatre and space will be limited to 16 delegates.
I am also looking into the possibility of holding another Anatomy seminar this year at the end of November depending on levels of interest in the Exeter area.
As with all my seminars they are designed to be informative, fun and visually entertaining - they are aimed at anyone in the Medical and Bodyworking world and I continually update the information in them as we make more discoveries. I cover important aspects of medical history and their continued influence on modern thinking, I discuss the realm of biochemistry and the fight or flight mechanism and it's relevance to physical presentations, and this all comes together with regard to the latest findings in anatomical research and function coupled with practical exercises and visual examples.
For further details on the Metabolics seminars please contact Philly Hill - philly@metabolics.com or contacts myself for other seminars in your local area.

TTFN

ACPIN Lecture @ RD&E

2011-09-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Hannah Graham of RD&E and Andy McKellar of Ships Physio for organising and setting up last nights lecture for Devon ACPIN at the Princess Elizabeth Orthpaedic Centre.
We had a full turn out of about 30 delegates, most of whom were Physios and NeuroPhysiotherapists.

I certainly feel honoured and privileged to have been asked to give the lecture, and judging by the initial feedback and questions - I think most attendees went away with much to think about.

For those of you who missed out on New Look at Anatomy CPD course in Exeter during the Summer, I will be delivering another one on the 5th October in Bath - for bookings please contact Philly Hill at Metabolics.

Philly@metabolics.co.uk

TTFN

Evening Lecture at Royal D & E - 26th September

2011-08-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

For those who are interested I will be giving an evening lecture on some of the latest findings in anatomy to the Devon ACPIN group on 26th September at the Princess Elizabeth Lecture Theatre, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Registration is at 6pm for 6.30pm start.
Cost is £4.00 for ACPIN members, and £6.00 for non-members.

To book a place please contact Hannah Graham on 01392 408911 or email her : hannah.graham@rdeft.nhs.uk

Closing date for bookings is 19th September.

Look forward to seeing you there.

TTFN

More Anatomical Discoveries

2011-06-24T00:49:00.000-07:00

Greetings All.
It has been a pretty hectic week - dissecting bodies at Imperial College London and then holding the CPD course on the latest findings a day later at the Holmedale Health Centre in Exeter for a range of therapists.
Once again the dissection was overseen by Professor Kerry Davis, and held by Julian Baker who is the Principal at the European College of Bowen Studies. We were concentrating on the lower body this time, and looking at the fascial connections from the pelvis down the leg and the multiple links all the muscle have at the Sacrum - which seems to be more like a giant junction box for a surprising number of muscles.
One of the key discoveries we made was how the hamstring muscles are not quite built as they appear in the diagrams (surprise surprise). Particularly the Biceps Femoris muscle. We have tended to view this muscle as starting at the base of the pelvis and finishing at the head of the tibia rapping around the knee.
What we discovered was that the the Hamstring fascia actually starts at the sacrum and ends around the ankle at lateral maleolis - this has significant impact on how we view what hamstring does and the various whys and wherefore when someone gets a Hamstring strain for example.
All exciting stuff, and once again this new found knowledge will be put into practice at clinic.

TTFN

SHIPS Physio Testimonial

2011-05-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I delivered a relatively short lecture on some of the aspects I will be covering in the upcoming 'New Look at Anatomy' CPD course in Exeter on the 22nd June.
Within a few days I met the organiser of the event - Andy McKellar who is the principal at SHIPS Physio in Totnes, who specialises in Strokes, Head Injuries and Parkinsons. He was somewhat excited as he had experimented with some of the concepts within the lecture and applied them using his own physio skill set when treating patients. Below is the resulting written testimonial:

Bowen Therapy Devon as seen on TV.....?

2011-05-23T00:13:00.000-07:00

A short welcome to the new Bowen Therapy Devon YouTube Channel.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BowenTherapyDevon