Yesterday, I experienced my first (and possibly last) Bowen Therapy session, but "Hey," at least I tried, right?
The 60-80 mg of potentially lethal corticosteroids, I have surging through my veins, have all but annihilated the chronic, obnoxious "pain." However, I'm left with this persistent, kvetching between my shoulder blades, from shoulder to shoulder across my collar bones and then in my hips, buttocks and down into my thighs. It doesn't "hurt" per say, it feels more like a heaviness; with every muscle feeling like it weights a ton!
Anyway, I wanted to try Bowen, as so many on this site have had positive results! So yesterday, me and my monster had a session. I thought I knew what to expect, having done some homework beforehand, but I guess I wasn't a very good student.
For example, I knew there were "breaks," but did not realise that during the 45-60 min session, his hands would actually make contact with my body for maybe less than 10 minutes. Also, I didn't know that the "touch" part was so ambiguous.
I did feel relaxed, but no more so, than I would have been if I had laid down at home, cleared my head and controlled my breathing for 45 minutes.
There were several conscious attempts, on my part, to not JUDGE the treatment and to just allow it to BE. I reminded myself, that not everything has to FEEL like something. Less is more, right? ...but all of my efforts to keep my feelings about the session upbeat, open and positive, were to no avail. I left, feeling unfulfilled and like a bit of a malcontent.
Hmmm, perhaps it's not my fault? Maybe, it's "She-Who-Shan't-Be-Named" who needed the firmer hand! Maybe, she required a more assertive, commanding touch, being the rebellious, disobedient teenager that she is!
Yes, I think I'll go with that excuse.
Anyway... what's next? I'm thinking Shiatsu or Trigger Point Massage.
Bowen therapy didn't work for me, both before I got PMR and after. I tried 3 different practitioners- nothing. In fact, the last time, I had a flare after 3 sessions- I really wanted it to work! I am currently finding sound therapy really helpful- a bit "out there" but actually effective for me.
For me, that was the problem- anything "hands on" hurt!! Bowen obviously does something, which is how I had a flare, even though it did the wrong thing for me!
I felt nothing. I did a mental/emotional comparison as to what I felt just before and just after session... no noticeable difference.
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For me the trick with any session of any therapy is I breathe a sigh of relief and let them look after my body for an hour. The first few years of fibro and chronic back pain were sooo depressing then I decided that if I had physio or massage therapy or even a group session on pain management stress or sleep management I turned a switch and stopped thinking about body management. I have carrying a broken body since 1999 now. But mentally and emotionally this is the best but if my life. I get down from time to time but any opportunity I get to hand over my body for an hour is a treat. I suspect you might get a bit more benefit as pred comes down. Pred...the trickster.
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I hear you! I mentally ( and emotionally) thought I "handed over my body," to the Bowen Therapist, with no expectations or judgement... I don't think I do well with down time, however.
My analytical mind began calculating the number of seconds he actually was touching me, versus the number of long , tedious minutes he was... doing I have no idea what... and that prompted me to start calculating the ratio of down time to touch time and then I was trying to figure out how much each of those 10-20 second touches were costing.... versus how much I was paying for down time! So much for handing my body over!
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😂 perhaps go for deep tissue/sports massage. You will be trying so hard not to scream in pain it'll keep your mind occupied.
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HA! A little " tongue in cheek" humour, Poopadoop? Or are you trying to get me killed?
Noooo, I'm thinking Shiatsu or Trigger Point Massage, but need to do a bit more research.
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You might be a bit delicate for it now. You need to relax during treatment at moment. 😎
But ...If I save up enough to have massage I do like to be brought to tears the all my muscles are freed up a bit. Kills at the time but love it later. 👀
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YIKES! Okay, to me, the words "tears" and "massage," should never to be used in the same sentence!
Sorry you had no relief. I like Tai Chi/Quigong and weekly massage. Are you able to exercise? Zumba and weight classes help with pain and lift my mood.
Yes, Sandi... I have wondered about about Tai Chi or Quigong!!! Dr Hughes had said "Yes," to things like gentle yoga, but "No," to things like palates, weight training and gym type exercises... With my breathlessness I think Zumba would kill me! : )
Some say you need at least 3 sessions to know if it’s going to work, but after 5 sessions and £250 I decided it wasn’t for me either. I came away slightly more relaxed, but not much else. I can get that plus acupuncture from a sports masseur for less, so I’ll stick to that.
Yes, I wasn't expecting miracles, but thought I'd feel something... I thought I'd cut my losses early and not wait till I got to the £250 investment level!
Oh no... sorry!!!!! I wasn't implying that! It's just I know me and I know what I like and what I feel will benefit me... and that didn't feel like something that I would benefit from.
My Bowen therapy experience was similar. She kept going into another room while I laid on a couch like a lemon. For all I knew, she was texting. I outlined my experiences on here a few months back and was assured that she can’t have been the real item.
I am the person who when youngish, paid someone to hold me and hum.😂 I have to say, that had more effect.
My Bowen guy is sitting in a chair (he didn't leave room, he just sat down in a chair), and he's texting his friend about this weird old lady, who "paying him," to lay on his rickety, old, portable, massage table and every 2-3 minutes touch her back, leg, neck... and the friend is texting back, "Nah man, that's bullshit!"
I get a good strong massage. My massage therapist does some "fascia" work which is a little painful but wonderful afterwards. I like a deep tissue massage. I do enough relaxing!!!
@mamici1. "persistent, kvetching between my shoulder blades, from shoulder to shoulder across my collar bones and then in my hips, buttocks and down into my thighs. It doesn't "hurt" per say, it feels more like a heaviness; with every muscle feeling like it weights a ton!"
Bingo you have identified exactly how I feel. I've been talking about my collar bone to my PCP since April of last year totally dismissed I think I had a slow and steady on set until the PMR hit me over the head in September last year. So I have been on my first steady reduction from 15 to 12.5 mg and after what I think ruling out any withdrawal syndrome I think I'm starting into a flyer as all of the above you have so eloquently and are speaking to me. So I made an executive decision to raise my prednisone back to the 15 and see what happens. Originally when I was almost paralyzed upper and lower body it took 4 days for it to kick in so I would assume something in that time frame or maybe longer since I've been on it since October. I'm not feeling much love for my rheumatologist these days. I'm due to see him in 3 weeks.
As for Bowen, not something I'm familiar with here but it doesn't sound like it would be for me. Saturday will be the 5 year anniversary of the loss of my son Garrett so I'm treating myself to some self-care with a massage for 90 minutes a real treat particularly given how I'm feeling at this point.
Oh that is too cool!!! Someone else has the same weird, body sensations that I have!!!
I think some of mine IS withdrawal syndromes... at least that is what the general consensus was here on this site. I wondered how I could be having PMR related pain symptoms, when I've been on between 60 and 80 mg of PRED since December!!! That is when most people agreed, it may be withdrawal syndromes. Whatever it is, it's annoying...
I am so sorry to hear about your son Garrett. I'm sure this is a particularly difficult time for you and your family, so good on you, getting a 90 minute massage! Yes, treat yourself!
On Saturday, I will light a candle for Garrett and send you thoughts of peace and love. xxx
Yes it's so much better when we feel like we're not the only one right for sure. Thank you so much for the candle it really means a lot. As I said to Jane this 5-year milestone is difficult to wrap my brain around. He was such a smart handsome active guy. An Eagle Scout and certified As A Firefighter just before his death. He lived a lot in his 21 years but not nearly as long as he should have.
Thank you. This 5-year milestone is a little harder to wrap my head around but I went to a support group meeting tonight and have also made plans to have dinner that one of his favorite restaurants Sunday evening and then we'll visit our local Fine Arts Museum Monday evening for a special private viewing of the Terracotta Army. Thank you for your thoughts Jane.
That is what Bowen therapy is - brief hands-on "movements" with short resting periods between which are leaving the muscles to "get the message". I think 10 mins out of 40-60 mins is a bit OTT, mine has always been more like half and half.
I have to say, I'm slightly appalled they didn't explain and I would query what training they have had. Good well trained practitioners explain what they are doing and why. However, don't condemn it entirely on a single session - you might feel better yet.
Maybe you would get more out of it if you went in with slightly lower expectations? I went with a very sceptical attitide and was greatly impressed by the result achieved. So did others on the forum.
I hear you... I have analysed my frame of mind and as I mentioned above, I do believe I mentally and emotionally had "handed over my body," to the therapist. I had no expectations or pre conceived judgements...
And, sorry... he did explain and I had done some research before going. I think I just interpreted his explanation a bit differently and assumed t would be more like 60/40, with 60 being the hands on.
But if you only had one session it was not enough. Bowen can make a difference after one session but I always ask my clients to have at least 3 sessions to see if there is any improvement.
...because I know me and I know my body. I was confidently able to decide after just the one session, that I was not willing to make the investment of energy, time or money.
Again, I was not/am not saying "Bowen does not work," I was/am saying I do not believe it was the right therapy for ME.
How about if one gets improvement after first session (first fever and diarhheabu then enormous improvement) and then serious worsening after the next two? This is utterly confusing (ps leg muscle pain)
Before you say 'Bowen' did not work. You should know that you commit to three one hour sessions for three consecutive weeks. Then if it has done nothing your therapist (if registered one), will tell you it is not for you.
Also you must drink the 1litre of water, in addition to your usual intake.
As one who resisted PMRpro's advice for about 1 one year and then gave in, within 12 weeks I was out of my wheelchair (could push it) and then when tired hop into it, zimmer frame consigned to the garage and my walking stick changed for a folding one.
Yes, sometimes it does not work, but 1 session is not going to work for anyone just like one session with a Chiropractioner or Osteopath won't work either. But at least with Bowen they tell you after 3 sessions.
As an aside the NHS Durham Pain Management Clinic, gave two therapists a one year contract as a trial. That contract has been renewed for the past two years.
PS: One of the members of our support group went along and subsequently took her Grandson who has Attention Deficit. None of the family can believe the difference it has made to that young boy.
Thank you jinasc, I appreciate your (and PMRpro's ) opinions.
I'm not saying "Bowen did not work," I'm saying, I do not believe it did, or will, work for ME. I know myself and my body and believe my aches and pains, at this point need a more invasive (in a good way) approach.
Also, I was not asked to commit to anything except the one session (So no broken promises on my part!) and I was not told about the water... if that were to make all the difference, I should have been told.
Oh... and actually, I have felt immediate relief after seeing my Osteopath after just the one session!
I'm sorry if you think I was "poo-pooing" Bowen... I really wasn't. I was just expressing my opinion, that it was not the therapy that was right for me, nor is it one I want to invest more time or money in.
I am truly happy it has worked so well for you!!!!
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I look back on the 12months I committed to kinesiology with a highly qualified physiotherapist some 20plus years ago and laugh my head Off. But at the time it did help me and underpins the k tape revolution that sports people have taken to heart. I wish I could get that money back and invest in deep tissue massage.
Bowen did not work for me either. The therapist did two people at a time going out of the room to the other one every so often. She was pretty expensive considering she had double booking. In fact the third time I went, and last, she had three of us!
I tried acupuncture, manual lymphatic drainage and massage, the only thing that I felt was helpful was the massage which was great.
I had Reiki years ago when I had a case of "Mouse Shoulder" - bursitis so bad it literally brought tears to my eyes. We were in Florida vitising a friend of Mark's who had recently gotten married, and his new bride was a Reiki Master. She offered to try to help me, and as I figured there was nothing invasive about it - no drugs, no manipulation - it couldn't do any harm.
Now I don't beleive in this kind of stuff at all. I believe in science. But I figured what the heck, the gal was so earnest and I didn't want to slight or insult her. So I went for it.
She lit a scented candle and played some New Age music (uh, yuck), and I just laid on her massage table like I was taking a nap. She never touched me, but I saw these clouds of red, yellow and purple mist passing before my closed eyes. I guess this went on for about 20 minutes. I didn't feel any better, but I didn't feel any worse when she was done.
The next morning, the pain was gone. And that pain never came back. Not one. Not even in PMR.
I've actually thought about flyng down for a weekend to give her a shot at PMR. And I just might do that if I have another flare.
Both of my Reiki Master friends "sent" Reiki to my daughter, when she was (up at Charring Cross Hospital in London) getting heavy duty chemo, for ovarian cancer... We had no idea when they would be sitting together sending Reiki, just that they'd be together on this or that day... My 31 year old daughter dismissed it as "mumbo-jumbo," but yet we experienced periods where we were both more peaceful, her nausea was less, she was able to sleep more comfortably... then we'd hear from my friends and it turns out the timing of these "coincidences" was "right on the money."
Bowen does work for me and did right from the off - before pmr. I had painful knees to the extent that I was whimpering as I walked down to the bus stop. One session with Jackie and the whimpering stopped as did most of the pain. Two sessions in and the pain disappeared. It comes and goes now but never back to the same level as before.
When pmr reared it’s ugly head I wasn’t sure if Bowen would help because everywhere was so sensitive. Jackie assured me that she could help, and she did and still does. I see her about every 5 or 6 weeks and she manages to calm down the back and shoulder pain and makes everything feel much lighter.
I know that not everyone will be able to say the same but even my hugely cynical husband gets relief from a painful and stiff shoulder. His benchmark is that fact that he can now put on his deodorant whereas before Jackie he couldn’t. What a relief for us all!
I hope you find something that helps mamici1. We need all the relief we can get, whichever way it’s delivered!!
Hi Gaycreasey, Thanks for sharing your experience! Yup, I have no doubt it works for a lot of people! I just know me and what my body/mind responds to and that wasn't it.
Firstly I’m hoping that would not be your last Bowen Therapy.
As a Bowen Therapist / Reiki Healer / N L P Practitioner every day is a blessing when I can come to the aid of someone in need of help wether it be from a physical mental or chemical imbalance of the body, the aim is to help with this imbalance offering relief from symptoms where possible.
All Therapist of all modalities practice with the aim to help and relieve their clientele of any aches pains disease or imbalance of the body in whatever form. However as with medicine complimentary therapies can give no guarantees. Same applies to surgerical intervention and the like.
Bowen therapy which is what you have given your thoughts on following, from what I can understand, one session. Like one of the earlier replies when you go to any therapist put your absolute faith in their practice - you’ve made the decision to try the therapy so try to relax and trust in your chosen modality. Have faith in the Practitioner - we all work differently have different approaches and styles . Different pressures which can often be discussed with the client whether they require more pressure applied or reduced pressure every body is different in pplication as well as in receiving.
Often we don’t notice the subtle changes but you can be assured that A Bowen Therapy would most likely have offered you a health benefit albeit imay not have been the exact result you were looking for on that first visit. I would encourage at least 2 or 3 before writing it off and speak with the therapist openly on how you felt and and she /he could probably have adapted the therapy to suit your particular needs.
And where there might be some great dr’s surgeons etc . So there will be mediocre or not so great. As is in every profession.
Bowen Therapy works with the body’s own healing mechanism. I’ve witnessed many get amazing results from this particular modality and there have been a small percentage not got the desired result but It’s very probable that they experienced some form of health benefit and unfortunately because of the state of mind at the time they were not sensitive to the changes.
Do yourself a favour and maybe consider giving Bowen another try. Invest in a course of treatment and if need be try maybe a different therapist. We all relate differently with different people . Therapists are no different.
If you still feel the same - and I’m pretty certain that you won’t - but if you do. Then as I’ve previously said anyone who takes the time to specialise in helping People will do their very best to achieve that. Wholeheartedly. I wish you health happiness and contentment always 🌸
Just a few things to say bout the Bowen Technique. As therapists my partner and I have had a lot of success over the years. Of course you can't relieve/cure every problem no more than Orthodox medicine can. There seems to be some consternation and mirth over the breaks used in Bowen. The breaks are very important. The therapist isn't using the breaks to go have a cup of tea or read an article in a paper. The breaks are integral to the treatment as they let the body adjust to what has been done. Tom Bowen was watching a Masseur one day at a clinic and he observed there was no let up in the treatment. In the end he said to the therapist. "When does the body get a chance to jump in and react to what has been done?" And that is the crux of the Bowen technique. Letting the body react to the moves that have been applied. Otherwise it's overkill. The Bowen technique doesn't work on muscles, tendon, or ligamants and it doesn't work on the bones of the body. The Bowen technique works on the fascia which lies underneath the skin where there is tension. That is why it's sometimes called Myo fascial release.
Thank you, yes, I get it. And no, I didn't think the therapist was using the breaks to "make a cup of tea or read an article in the paper." (And frankly I found that comment unnecessary and bit condescending.)
I am not sure why so many people (even 7 months after my original post) have taken offence to MY assessment of MY experience? I did not ridicule or criticise the therapy. I did not ridicule or criticise the therapist. I did not say it didn't work. I did not imply that it was a sham. I simple said it did not give me a feeling of confidence that it was something that MY body would respond to and I make the decision, early on, not to pursue it.
People HAVE said something of that sort in posts on the forums. And I know people certainly think it even if they don't say it. So I don't think it was unfair that it was said.
I don't hear offence being taken - I hear an more indepth comment adding to a topic that others are going to find with google. Barrytres is adding to Ivygeorgia's comments - and they obviously both found their way here.
Thank you for your opinion PMPpro. Yes, Barrytres is "technically" (from the system's perspective) responding to Ivygeorgia's comments. However as Ivygeorgia's comments are very "pro" Bowen (as are Barrytres), if this is the case, it appears she is "singing to the choir," don't you think?
I may be totally wrong (which happens often), but I believe Barrytres comments are related to my original post, in which I specifically talk about only going to one Bowen session, and I question the use of extended "breaks." Ivygeorgia mentions neither of these in her comment, so not sure why Barrytres would feel the need to share this information with him/her?
I appreciate that "people have said something of that sort in posts on the forums," and that you "know people certainly think it even if they don't say it." I, unfortunately, do not know what people are thinking or what they are actually trying to say when they use the written word... I can only be honest and let them know how I "perceived" what they have written and if it has left a "bad taste in my mouth."
I felt the comment about "make a cup of tea or read an article in the paper," was directed at me and I responded by letting Barrytres know that "I" felt it was unnecessary and condescending.
If it was NOT directed at me, and as you say it was directed at Ivygeorgia, then I would hope I'd be corrected and given a chance to apologise for my misperception.
Hello, I'm sorry if I came across as condescending as that certainly wasn't my intention I was merely pointing out to others comments that there is a reason for the breaks but some others did make comment about using the breaks so the therapist could go and make a cup of coffee or whatever. Your assessment of your treatment is your assesment and you are not the first to say Bowen didn't work. I have had clients it didn't work for, it happens. It's disappointing but it does happen and it will happen in the future to myself and my partner. But as I said before we have more positive results than negative results if we didn't I wouldn't practise as I know my partner wouldn't either. To change the words of an old saying. "You can't cure all of the people all of the time" That's a fact. As for the three treatments? That is the number of treatments given so we can assess as to whether there has been a good reaction. It might be 3 or more depending on the Client. But you can't judge anything after one treatment.
Hi Barrytres, thank you for the clarification. I apologise if the comment was not a specific response to me, but was a general comment to better inform people about the Bowen "breaks." My perception was apparently incorrect. Apologies.
However, again, to clarify, I am NOT saying Bowen does not work... I'm saying, I knew (after one session) it was not the right therapy for ME. I know me, I know my body and I know my mind. I made a decision (yes, a judgement, if you will) based on 64 years of being me. I made a conscious decision to not invest any more energy, time or money, into something I did not believe was right for me.
I wish you every success in treating people in the future and it really sounds like you and your partner are committed and honestly interested in having a positive impact.
You may want to try a 'Light Swedish' massage, often called an Esalen Massage. It is a bit deep but not painful. Another option is a Lymphatic Massage. It is primarily for water retention and should entail a lite touch and flowing longer strokes. Good luck in your search. I hope this helps.
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