Because there are no forceful movements or cracking of bones there is no risk of doing any damage to any of the body structures. And because we work with the muscles and their controlling nerves in Bowen Therapy, the muscles that hold the bones in place are corrected, so that muscle and bone alignment is addressed. By addressing both muscles and bone alignment our results may be experienced for longer, making Bowen Therapy possibly one of the most cost effective options for neck pain around.

​Some of the neck presentations commonly seen in clinic are:

• Chronic neck pain
• Whiplash after car accident
• Neck & Shoulder pain
• Neck cracking or grinding
• Stiff neck leading to headaches or migraine

You can read some reviews from Louis's clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Bowen Session targeting Neck Pain in Geelong. 

Cartilage is the hard coating found at the end of the bones which meet at a joint. Due to wear and tear of the cartilage, those diagnosed with Osteoarthritis have a situation where their bones are grinding against one another when the joint is being moved which can result in restricted movement of the affected joint and pain. Normally this occurs with age, over years, but there can be a sudden onset after an injury as well.
For those suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks the lining present in the joint capsule. This is a tough membrane that encloses the entire joint and is known as the synovial membrane which provides lubrication to the joint. When it becomes inflamed, the bone and cartilage of the affected joint can become damaged through the un-lubricated grinding of the adjoining bones as the joint moves. ​
Family history, age, sex and previous joint injuries are various factors that can predispose someone towards Arthritis.

Facet joints are small stabilizing joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae of the spine. In people experiencing facet joint based lower back pain, the saddle like base which is covered by a synovial lining, becomes inflamed. This results in extra pressure when one bends backwards, leading to immense amount of pain. In this case, bending forward generally provides relief as the forward flexion decompresses the facet joint, relieving pressure and pain.
 
On the other hand, intervertebral disc based lower back pain is a result of a tear in the discs; soft cushion-like structures in the spine. This results in a protrusion or bulging of the disc structure which can compress certain nerves, leading to pain that is experienced in the hip region, legs, ankles and feet. Unlike, facet joint pain in the back, disc pain intensifies in nature when one bends forward as this exerts pressure on the back of the disc structure where the nerve exists the spine. ​

Bowen Therapy is certainly worth trying for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In clinic I commonly see people with digestive problems holding tension in their abdominal area. Under their ribs doesn't feel soft as it should, instead it feels tight and constricted and this tension may impede food traveling through the digestive system. I have seen that resolving this tension may lead to digestion and comfort having significant improvements.

Since Bowen therapy works with the nervous system, it may assist in bringing back the natural rhythmic action of the gastrointestinal nervous system, targeting one of the root causes of IBS. Since in Bowen Therapy we address the whole body, targeting several different areas we see as contributing to the problem, we may have a higher chance of having a positive impact than by just looking at a single part of the body.

There are two types of headaches. Primary headaches are caused due to excessive activity of the pain-sensitive parts in the head. Examples include cluster headaches, migraine, tension headaches etc. A secondary headache on the other hand, is a symptom of a disease that activate the pain-sensitive nerves in the head. For example, acute sinusitis, blood clots, brain tumour, concussion etc. can cause a secondary headache.

Headaches are usually managed by people with OTC pain relief medications like Panadol, Ibuprofen, Codeine etc. once the headache has already started.

If you are somebody who uses pain relief medication 2-3 times per week or 10 days per month, the pain relief medication can stop helping with the pain, and can actually cause headaches. These repetitive headaches are known as 'Medication Overuse Headaches (MOH)'. In these cases it could be especially helpful to seek an alternative method of reducing your headaches.

In my clinic Bowen Therapy has shown it may be very helpful for clients suffering from many different types of headaches. Tension often builds up around the neck, head and jaw, causing the pain. Sometimes there can also be mis-alignments elsewhere in the body that can be contributing to re-occurring headaches. 

With Bowen Therapy we address the whole body, targeting several different areas we see as contributing to the problem, and this is how we may get our results to last longer. In particular we may see much better and longer lasting results in our clients when we work on the jaw or TMJ. 

Due to lack of specific medical tests to diagnose Fibromyalgia, the real cause of it is hard to specify. According to doctors, it can be a variety of factors operating together. These may include infections, physical or emotional trauma such as a car accident and even genetics.
Some researchers believe that repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with Fibromyalgia to release an abnormal amount of neurotransmitters which are chemicals that signal pain. Also, the pain receptors in the brain seem to develop a memory of the pain, making a person suffering from Fibromyalgia more sensitive to any pain stimulus they might experience.
Nowadays, Fibromyalgia can be detected when a person complains of widespread pain without any other apparent reason, lasting for more than 3 months. Due to an absence of any lab tests to help identify the disease, doctors usually perform blood tests to rule out any other medical conditions that might have similar symptoms.

It is also found that the condition occurs more often in women than in men.

The clients I see with Fibromyalgia in my clinic usually have had a gradual onset of their condition. When the pain is minor they are able to cope quiet easily, but as it progresses more it becomes more difficult for them to deal with. Therefore I feel it is important to keep the pain to a manageable level, and not to let it get too debilitating - ie. don't wait until you are at your limit dealing with the pain before you seek help. 

Bowen Therapy for fibromyalgia consists of light moves, which works directly with the fascia (connective tissue that acts as an extension of the nerves) and nervous system. Signals sent via the nerves to the brain may signal the body to go into a state of deep relaxation, and in this way may act to calm the over stimulation of the brain and the nervous system. As more people are trying Bowen Therapy for their fibromyalgia, it is  gaining acceptance as an effective method.

Clients who attend my Bowen Clinic with Fibromyalgia find that Bowen Therapy may allow their bodies a better range of movement in their joints. Many may report that their pain is greatly reduced, or gone completely and they feel more comfortable doing the activities they enjoy. The Bowen Technique can be done with very light pressure, whereby some people suffering from fibromyalgia cannot tolerate heavy pressure such as might occur with massage or other therapies.

High heels or tight fitting footwear, such as worn in sports like skiing or rock climbing, can cause Morton’s Neuroma. The compression of the foot can cause the nerves within to become irritated and swollen, causing pain.
People who have other foot issues such as bunions, hammertoes, fallen or high arches are at a higher risk of experiencing Morton’s Neuroma, especially if they are putting a lot of stress on their feet, (eg. by doing lots of running).

As with most conditions, catching it early will increase the chances of a faster recovery and reduce the chance of re-occurrence. Also, as somebody with foot pain starts to walk differently to accommodate the pain, other parts of their body (ie. back) can go out of alignment too from improper gait (incorrect walking).

If after a couple of weeks symptoms are not improving it's probably worth seeing somebody about it. 

Bowen may help in several different ways. By reducing tension around painful areas, circulation may be improved to facilitate a faster recovery. Also stretching the ligaments of the foot may help to take pressure off the nerves of the foot. 

You can read some reviews from Louis's clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Bowen Therapy session targeting Morton's Neuroma in Geelong. ​