Fascia Pilates & Bowen therapy: I go to a Pilates... - PMRGCAuk

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Fascia Pilates & Bowen therapy

Parijm profile image
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I go to a Pilates class weekly and have just heard of Fascia Pilates. When I met with tutor to observe a class she mentioned Bowen technique being part of what she does. I know Bowen has been mentioned by others here and they found it beneficial. I'm unclear what Fascia and Bowen are, and their help for PMR, if anyone can assist?

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Parijm profile image
Parijm
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PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

You will be familiar with the fascia as the transparent skin that you find around pieces of meat or poultry. This article explains it and its functions and malfunctions quite well - I am NOT recommending the rest of DrN's products by the way.

drnorthrup.com/muscle-fascia/

I go on a lot about something called myofascial pain syndrome - where the fascia around the muscles in particular has become inflamed. It is very commonly found alongside PMR and at higher doses of pred it often improves - but as you reduce the dose, it returns. Not everyone has it but when you do it results in tight and spasmed muscles, especially in your back. It doesn't show up on x-rays or MRI scans so, for many doctors it doesn't exist. I am very lucky - here in Germanic Italy (and most German-speaking regions) they do accept it exists and will treat it. I had some myofascial release done earlier this year by a rheumatologist - but it wasn't enough, left too late - so now I'm in the process of having massage treatments by a physiotherapist to release the tight fascia. As I say, I'm lucky, it comes on our health service! It is caused by the same inflammatory substances that cause PMR except they are "in" the fascia rather than circulating all round the body and sometimes are found in local concentrations in trigger spots that can be felt in the muscle group as a knot of hardened muscle fibres which can irritate nearby nerves and lead to referred pain in other parts of the body. It is a common cause of sciatica in fact. At a guess - when people say that magnesium helps their PMR it is here it is having an effect. But don't quote me on that!

Bowen therapy is a very gentle hands on physical therapy which is believed to encourage the muscles and fascia to heal themselves in some way. I have used it for years - it kept me upright in the 5 years I had PMR without the benefit of pred!

thebowentechnique.com/what-...

This explains it - and shows the link to the fascia problem.

A lot of people on the forum have found it helped them - one or two found it did nothing at all. But you know fairly quickly - if it is going to make a difference you usually see a change within 3 sessions. Many western medicine-qualified doctors will poo-poo it - but I say, don't sniff at it without trying it. And anyway - it is as relaxing as a massage!

Parijm profile image
Parijm in reply to PMRpro

Many thanks for reply & links which explain clearly. Tomorrow I have a one-to-one with fascia Pilates tutor when I can raise my PMR issues alongside Bowen. My arms have lost muscle mass & strength over the last year and I can struggle with some exercises. I persevere with 10-15 mins exercise first thing each day since I am stretching muscles gently at the very least. I think Bowen may be worth a try.

trish29 profile image
trish29 in reply to Parijm

Hi Parijim.. I have been having Bowen Therapy for nearly 2years now. I used to go to my Osteopath for Gentle massage and ultrasound for quite some time due to my PMR causing pain in the Lower Spine and l was getting frequent migraines ..eventually my Osteopath told me she couldn't help me anymore apart from my gentle massages and recommended Acupuncture or Bowen Therapy but the Therapists that she recommended to me wouldn't touch me because of the PMR ..after searching on Google for a few days making mental notes in my head I found my Brilliant Therapist that I have now..because I have had PMR a long time ( 13 years) with lots of hurdles on the way I found that it took 6 visits initially to start feeling any Benefit to me. In these 2 years I have had relief to my Lower Spine and my migraines..l purr like a cat when my head is touched and sometimes I have been to treatment with a mild migraine and after being touched I have felt the migraine lift away.. at the moment my therapist is treating my upper arms shoulders,kneck and head..I have struggled recently to lift my arms and I have a Therapy tomorrow ..it's difficult to explain but I come away feeling relaxed and by the time I get home ( half an hour to 1Hour) my pain is much easier or gone away completely for a while ..it seems to help me for a week to 10 days. If I leave it longer than that then my pain can come back with a vengeance. We are All different , l certainly have a lot going on around the PMR but my Rheumatologist and GP have allowed me carry on with my Therapy and tomorrow can't come quick enough for me ..lt will be interesting to see what you think if you go for Therapy ..Best wishes trish29

TooSore profile image
TooSore

I'm curious to look into this. I have trouble with trigger points. I have found a massage therapist with considerable knowledge (and empathy) that has offered some relief. I like the idea of combining Exercise with muscle relief, in addition to stretching of course.

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