CONNECTIONS to HEALTH

Bowen Technique and Asthma Are you one of the 5.2 million people in the UK currently receiving treatment for asthma? (Statistics from the charity Asthma UK in 2004). If not you almost certainly know someone who is or your child may be one of the 1.1 million (1 in 10) estimated to be suffering from the distressing and potentially disabling, even fatal condition – there were just under 1400 deaths from asthma in the UK in 2004, of which 40 were children aged 14 or under. Current medical treatment, though it is to some extent effective, relies on the long term use of inhaled drugs about which there are some concerns. The statistics above along with the estimated 12.7 million working days lost each year show that the standard medical approach is by no means the whole answer. Bowen Technique is one of a number of complementary approaches that are free of side-effects and that has been found to help asthma sufferers. During 2002-2004 a year long national research programme took place to look at the effect of Bowen Technique on asthma. Full details of the programme and research results can be found at www.bowenasthmaresearch.com . Impressively, of the 24 subjects who completed the programme all of them reported a positive difference to their condition – for 7 it was reported as dramatic, for 14 substantial and for 3 slight. The Bowen Technique is a gentle, natural, non-invasive therapy. The Bowen therapist, using only thumbs and fingers, makes gentle, rolling movements over muscles and tendons at precise points. The process releases energy, sending impulses to the brain to trigger the body’s own healing systems. As well as asthma, hay fever and other respiratory problems it can help with a wide range of conditions including chronic back pain, frozen shoulder, migraine, IBS, anxiety and stress and low energy - most of the asthma research participants reported an improvement in secondary health issues such as these which underlines the holistic nature of the therapy. Its originator, Tom Bowen developed his approach originally to help with musculo- skeletal problems. However his own wife was asthmatic and hospitalised many times as a result. Tom went on to develop moves to assist her after which she was never re-admitted with an attack. As well as helping many adults to lead more active lives and reduce their reliance on inhalers and drugs (under medical supervision), the Bowen Technique has had a particular impact in the area of childhood asthma. Therapist and Bowen teacher, Alastair Rattray has a special interest in treating children with asthma and is continuing his own research with numerous case histories to back up its effectiveness. More details can be found at www.relieve-childhood-asthma.com. The therapy can also help reduce the severity and frequency of colds and chesty coughs associated with asthma, and there is a unique emergency treatment to alleviate sudden asthma attacks. Using a very simple technique, it can reduce the level of attack very quickly and effectively. Claire Phillipson practices Bowen Technique at the Ishta Centre. For any queries or more information, she can be contacted via the centre, direct on 07967 384560 or by email on claire@therapies4balance.co.uk Or come to the Ishta Centre on 11th November and attend Claire’s talk, ‘Breathe Easy – Bowen Technique for Asthma and Respiratory Problems’

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