Sometimes it takes time

Bowen really does help those niggling things we put down to old age.  As we get older we notice that our posture gets worse, we're not as flexible, we don't sleep as well, we can't eat what we used to, and many other things.  All of this we put down to the fact that we're getting older, and we accept these hindrances, challenges and limitations as inevitable.  I don't believe it has to be like that.  I believe that we are meant to age gracefully, and I believe that Bowen can help to make that happen.

Sometimes it takes a lifetime for our body to get a certain way, in which case it will take a long time for it to rectify itself.  If we have been walking a certain way for 40 years and our lower back goes, we can't expect it to be fixed in a few treatments.  Similarly we can't expect a long term fix with surgery without addressing the cause.  If the cause is not addressed, the same problem will occur or another area of the body will deteriorate.

A person came in to my clinic the other day who said that she hadn't had Bowen before but that her 80 year old aunt used to be all bent over, stiff and cranky and is now flexible, active and happy thanks to her neighbour who has been doing Bowen on her for a couple of years.  As a result she had decided to try Bowen for herself.

Her aunt reminded me of a gentleman I treated a number of years ago for a year or so.  When I gave him his first Bowen treatment he was bent over, leaning to one side, he couldn't turn his neck, both feet pointed out and he could only take short steps with one leg.  He had been like this for five years, and he said for the ten years before that his body gradually took on this position.  Massages and chiropractic treatments had  helped in the short term but did nothing to halt the progress, and the chiropractor had even said that there was nothing more he could do. Doctors didn't seem to be interested in helping him, putting it all down to his age.

I shared my doubts that I would be able to make much of a difference for him, but that I thought Bowen may be able to relieve some of his pain and help him sleep better.  In some ways I was right, but I was also very, very wrong!

By the time he came in for his second treatment he had slept well for four nights in a row, getting at least seven straight hours sleep each of the four nights.  He was very excited by this development, and eager to see what would happen after his second treatment.

When he came in for his third treatment he was still sleeping well, and he was feeling much happier.  For about two years he had become so grumpy that he didn't want to go out, nor even speak with his wife very much.  He was planning an outing with his wife and some friends on the weekend, and was very excited that he was looking forward to it.  He had also started walking down the street a few houses and back which made him feel good.

By the time his fourth treatment came around he was thinking that his back was not as sore and uncomfortable.  Over the next few weeks we kept track of the pain level in his back, and it was certainly improving.  He was walking a bit further every day and he was very proud of that.

We saw no improvement in his posture though until about week 12, when he walked in upright!  I was so shocked, and grilled him about when and what he'd done to make this happen.  He said that he hadn't noticed, and his wife hadn't commented, but was delighted to see that it was actually true - he was standing upright!

He was still leaning to one side however, and that slowly corrected itself over the next six weeks.  During this time his neck became flexible again, regaining normal range of movement from side to side, and better but still limited up and down.  By then he was walking for about half an hour five days a week.  He was walking slowly, as his feet were still pointing out to the sides.

A couple of months later, about six months after I started treating him, his legs straightened so that his feet and knees pointed straight ahead (one leg took a bit longer than the other).  Now he can keep up with his son on his daily walks, and enjoys the company.

He kept coming in for his weekly Bowen treatments for another six months because he was sure it did him so much good.  He had improved his diet and had addressed a number of emotional issues he had with a counselor, so had become quite enthusiastic about his wellbeing.  He was getting very active, had resumed bowls and fishing with his friends, and was walking 45 minutes a day.  He was happy and sociable, and very grateful to Bowen for making him "feel 40 years younger".  He and his wife moved to the coast to be closer to family, and I put him in touch with a Bowen therapist over there who is continuing to treat this delightful gentleman.

If you think Bowen may be able to help you, a loved one or a friend, I would be very happy to hear from you.  Please phone me on 0427 143 743, email me, or check out my webiste, www.bowentherapydubbo.com.au.

Cheers for now,
Prue

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