Just wondering if anyone has personal experience or knows anyone who has used Bowen therapy to help with symptoms of PMR and whether it has provided any relief from muscle stiffness and pain.
There is a Complimentary Health Centre and Cancer Charity close to where I live that specifically mentions Polymyalgia and Fibromyalgia as conditions which could be helped using this therapy.
I did a while back. It did not work for me, but others seem to find it helpful. The woman who did it was working on three people at once, she would go from room to room! I would have accepted two, but three was a bit OTT.
Thank you for replying.
I used Bowen throughout and loved because I found massage, acupuncture or reflexology too much. I found that it helped with overall constitutional issues and muscular issues from poor posture from deconditioning. I only had GCA. I wouldn’t recommend it for actual treatment of PMR, more just to nurture yourself. I think with all these things, it depends on the practitioner. I found mine from the cancer help centre I was the manger. It isn’t for everyone like all these therapies.
I did try it for other things, not my GCA … not sure it was particularly helpful. But unless you try different things you don’t know…what works for one may not work for another- and visa versa.
Yes, I agree.
Thank you for replying.
I used it a lot in the early days of PMR when I was managing it without pred. It doesn't help the PMR itself but it does help with some of the add-ons caused by myofascial pain syndrome which can be part of or worsened by PMR.
I was treated by two NE women in the Newcastle area who were totally down to earth and practical - they were amazing! When I moved here to Italy I couldn't find practitioners at first and when I did they weren't a patch on Joanna and Paula! Here it was more emphasis on low lights, candles and relaxing music, typical "wellness" which is very big here!! Big it may be but all I got from them was the relaxation bit and not the practical dealing with muscle spasm which was what I needed. Plus they were charging an arm and a leg ...
If you get the right practioner, then it can be terrific. If you don't - personally I'd rather have a good sports massage!
Thank you, maybe I’ll consider both! 😊
I like a good sports massage that targets trigger points that underlie a lot of back muscle spasm. But some people find it too much - I expect I may well feel worse afterwards to start with, others struggle with the psuedoflare it can cause by the release of the cytokines that cause the trigger points to form.
Yes , i have used it when in quite uncomfortable pain.
It was remarkable for me personally and always relieved the worst of it .
Now I’m in the position of trying to reduce the Prednisilone and trying to get some flicker of life from the Adrenals. Bowen won’t help with this unfortunately.
But regarding Bowen Therapy for PMR , , it’s well worth a try .
Thank you, I think I’ll give it a try.
I hope it works for you, i tried a therapist in the next village, I didn’t get the same results.
It was well worth driving 10 miles to the wonderful therapist. Her mother had had PMR , she had more experience and understanding.
Wishing you the same marvellous results.
I did try it but it did not work for me.
I am an advocate of Bowen therapy having found a very good practitioner, which is priority No. 1. It is not a quick fix and I set aside the next day as 'Do very little Day' as my body adjusts to the treatment (this may be my own personal reaction. I'm susceptible to any form of massage)
I recently had an MOT session after a 3 year gap and, after taking copious notes on new meds and conditions, she tailored the session to cover the 'hot spots'. It feels quite strange on a first session, lots of hands-on gentle muscle manipulation with 2 minute absences between. I don't have music or chat so it's very relaxing ; she's always willing to describe what she's doing if I ask her Be prepared for feeling quite 'zonked out' in a good way, hence the Do very liitle Day. It's recommended to have 3 sessions over a few weeks, I really look forward to this TLC treat, and it helps me to feel I'm taking charge of at least one aspect of my health when sometimes it can be rather overwhelming .
As always, we all react differently, this is just my experience... hope you will find a recommended practitioner give it a go!
That pretty much sums up my experience in the UK - the feeling strange next day is fairly common I think.
Thank you for this insight into your personal experience. I’m definitely going to give it a try.
I have but unfortunately my practitioner has retired (from a bad back ) . She was wonderful and I often thought it was her caring undivided attention that helped as much as the massage. Certainly released endorphins but my muscles were sore the day after. I am looking for another Bowen trained practitioner.
I have been having Bowen Treatment for quite a few years now because of problems with my back not related to PMR. 2weeks ago I had a nerve trapped in my back so went for another treatment. Thankfully it worked . I wouldn’t say it actually relieved the PMR but I find it so relaxing that I’d continue to go just for that reason. It’s a very gentle treatment, but as some have said the next day is a day of doing very little (or even less then normal with PMR). Drink plenty of water and get up and have a short wander around after half an hour otherwise you might stiffen up. I definitely think it’s worth it but it does depend on the practitioner as well. Good luck
Thank you, it is really helpful to hear of others experiences.
Excuse my ignorance, what do they actually do with the Bowen technique? And how is it different to any other type of manipulation (if that is what it is?).
healthline.com/health/bowen...
It does seem to depend quite a bit on the therapist. My 2 NE ladies were what could really be described as robust in their technique - not like a chiropractor but you knew where they were working on and some "moves" were very firm. But that also depended on the subject - we discussed what they were going to try and why. One of my NE therapists was an instructor - and had taught the other one.
The one I went to in Italy was - for me at least - a waste of time and (a lot) of money! It was very NICE, very relaxing and good in that way but it didn't do what I needed, the difference between a hot stone massage and a therapeutic sports massage with myofascial mobilisation perhaps.
And I suppose the underlying aim is myofascial mobilisation, just in a very gentle way.
I think like a lot of complimentary procedures some people will swear by it whereas others will say it was of no help.
I,d have a word with your rheumy team & ask their opinion.
If you check your local clinics who offer this treatment they will provide a full price list before you make an appointment.
Your average rheumy team outside Australia has probably never heard of it!!
Actually there are clinics all over the UK & the providers are registered with reputable PMI Companies.In my town a single treatment starts at £59- about equal to a physio appointment.
I know there are - but that doesn't mean that an NHS rheumy team has heard of it!
Well I guess if a patient asks…. they will just have to investigate!
In my experience they will just shrug ...
You just have to be masterful….always start with “ I know you will know the answer”……they won’t admit they don’t know & will find out!
I have worked with them - and they generally have better things to do with their time than look up complementary therapies. And it is what we do in the PMR realm ...
Ah maybe rheumatology teams are kinder?
PMR comes under rheumatology. As does GCA.
Yes..I did know…but being on NRAS…A Rheumy team is usually my first point of call!
By no means all of us are under rheumies - I am but I am not in the UK. And if you want advice from a GP or even a rheumy - you might, in a few months.
I should think on NRAS 99% of us have a rheumatologist …..the other 1% are the lucky ones who can manage on annual reviews. In UK most GPs don’t meddle with RA except under Shared Care agreements,..especially not for those of us on Biologic drugs.
But there are no biologics for us if we are in the UK. Some get put on a DMARD but they are very hit or miss. And these days the shortage of rheumies means we are pretty low in the pecking order.
Yes unless you have the odd Private Consultation seeing a rheumy is very hit & miss, although it does depend very much on the region you live. …first time consults swing from a couple of months to a couple of YEARS.
Thankfully I was diagnosed in 1997 when although the new drugs were only just creeping in….consults were easier to come by. & I have managed with only two very capable consultants in all that time
I had Bowen Therapy treatments from a skilled practitioner for about 8 months after being diagnosed. It was very helpful in releasing inflammation in my neck and shoulders (if that makes sense). After each treatment I drank plenty of water (at his instruction),
Last year I got a gift certificate for a massage, and despite telling the RMT about PMR prior, it ended up being a disaster. Barely made it home, threw up twice, went to bed and slept 6 hours. When I awoke I had painful quads, hamstrings and neck/shoulders which lasted 2 days.
That’s interesting, most of the pain and stiffness I am experiencing seems to have now targeted the shoulders, hence my fairly recent diagnosis of PMR. This has changed from an initial diagnosis of GCA in 2020 when most of the pain was in my legs, hips and arms along with terrible headaches.
Thank you for your reply.
hi I had regular Bowen therapy sessions when I was in the worst of the GCA illness,and it helped me - altho I had hot stone massage and reiki as well, the therapist did all three therapies you see. Anything that will help the relaxation process will be of benefit. Listening to Yoga Nidra on YouTube was enormously helpful too. I wish you luck J
Thank you.
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