Bowen therapy eases the strain of pregnancy pains Pregnancy can really take a toll on a lady’s body and well-being; from morning sickness and tiredness to physical pain such as back ache and sciatica. Gowri Motha, obstetrician and author of ‘The Gentle Birth Method’ believes Bowen Therapy can help many pregnant women. Motha, who boasts Elle Macpherson and Sam Taylor-Wood amongst her celebrity mums, prescribes Bowen for cases of back pain, nausea, pubic and pelvic pain, mastitis, temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) problems and for mothers who are anxious and tense. She has also found that Bowen can help with pelvic tilt, which often causes problems with the positioning of the foetus, and that there are Bowen procedures that can encourage the baby's head to engage. The Bowen Technique is a natural, drug-free non-invasive complementary therapy that was invented in Australia and introduced to the UK in the 1990’s. It prides itself on being able to trigger the body’s own healing systems. Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise and make the changes it requires. With primarily fingers and thumbs, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual. No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used. Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process. Bowen is generally pleasant to receive, each session lasting 30 – 60 minutes, depending on the age of the client and the nature of their condition. Many clients become so relaxed they fall asleep during the treatment. Jayne Whitby, a client of Bowen practitioner Fiona Forster, said: “At the beginning of the pregnancy I suffered with morning sickness, I felt the Bowen helped me get through. The days after the treatment were the ones where I felt at my best. Later on in the pregnancy I suffered with sciatica, which was aggravated by the nature of my job by being on my feet all day. Bowen helped relieve my sciatica and by the end of my pregnancy I felt wonderful. I felt that Bowen helped me throughout my pregnancy in many ways and enabled me to have such a positive experience of giving birth. My proudest moment is giving birth to my beautiful, healthy little girl Jessica, who may not have been with us had it not been for Bowen or Fiona.” As with many other alternative therapies the success of a treatment mainly depends on visiting a legitimate, well trained practitioner. Fiona Forster is a member of the Bowen Therapy Professional Association (BTPA), which is the largest UK professional association for qualified Bowen Therapists. Members of this association are qualified in Anatomy & Physiology and First Aid. They are also fully insured, abide by a strict code of conduct and ethics and are committed to a programme of continuing professional development. For further information on Bowen Therapy and registered BTPA members in your area visit www.bowen-therapy.co or call 0844 561 7173 Ends Notes to editors: • For case studies, further information or images on Bowen Therapy, Fiona Forster or the BTPA please contact Nicola or Nav at Furore PR on E: [email protected] or T: 08708 796 796 • Gowri Motha recommends that when possible Bowen is received on two consecutive weeks and preferably not on the same day as Reflexology.