Introduction

The Bowen Technique is a gentle, light-touch therapy developed by Australian Thomas Ambrose Bowen in the 1960's and 1970's. Originally intended to help people suffering from muscular-skeletal problems, it has been shown to be very successful with many other conditions as well. In particular it has proved to be very effective, on many occasions for children up to their early 'teens, with asthma and respiratory ailments, sometimes with dramatic results.

Bowen and Asthma
Tom Bowen's wife suffered from asthma and was hospitalised many times before he developed a respiratory procedure, using his technique of gentle "moves" in specific places on the body, to help her. She was never hospitalised again.

Child Asthma and Bowen
Whatever the level of asthma, or similar respiratory problems suffered by young children, Bowen often seems to reduce the level of attack very quickly, and effectively. A number of Case Studies forming part of a research programme will illustrate how very successful the technique is proving to be.

With very young children, up to the age of about 2 years old, only the asthma procedure is used which takes less than a minute to administer, depending on the level of co-operation from the child! As they grow, so we are able to use more of the Bowen moves and the treatment takes longer, from a few minutes to maybe 30-35 minutes for an adult. More work obviously affects more of the body being treated. However, children respond very well despite the small amount of work we do on them.

The research being undertaken by Alastair Rattray, a Bowen Therapist, and Teacher with the European College of Bowen Studies (ECBS) is showing that it makes no difference as to whether the child is under a regime of medication, or not. The results are proving, so far, to be usually exactly the same. The attacks lessen more and more until they no longer seem to be a problem.

Older children and adults also benefit from the asthma treatment. However, a number of additional factors can make the case more complex than with a young child. The additional stresses of life, relationships, exams, work related problems, smoking  and other life-style factors can slow the process of recovery. Nevertheless, there are many successes recorded at all ages.

 The Author

Alastair Rattray is an experienced Bowen Therapist and Teaches for the European College of Bowen Studies in London, the South East and Essex. He qualified with the Football Association Treatment of Injury Certificate in 1972 and spent many years as physiotherapist to a semi-professional football club. He practices near Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, London and the South East of the UK. Following some remarkable successes with child asthma, he began his research into the effects of the Bowen Technique on the condition. The continuing success of the technique resulted in his being asked to appear on Discovery Health Channel in the series called Complementary Kids, which was broadcast in the autumn of 2002 and subsequently repeated many times. Alastair is an Associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine and secretary of the FA Medical Society.

 Emergencies

There may come a time (probably sooner rather than later), when you find yourself caring for a child who is having difficulty breathing or experiencing an asthma attack. In such circumstances, what can you do to help? The Bowen Asthma Emergency Procedure can help relieve asthma attacks by releasing the diaphragm and ease tight chests and wheezing.Click here to learn more about this essential procedure.

 News

We will have a stand again at The Allergy Show on 15 - 17 June 2007. Many people came to talk to us last year including doctors and a number of asthma nurses. We did a large number of urgent treatments as the days were rather hot. The stand is titled "The Bowen Technique for Asthma." We plan to announce a 1 day course for Asthma Nurses before the show.
  
An experienced physiotherapist, regained control of a major attack her 9 month old child was suffering using the Bowen Emergency Procedure.

A woman in her late 20's who has had asthma since a child, suffered chest infections with her frequent colds, as well as migraines. She needed Ventolin 20 times a day. Three treatments completely changed the situation and she has not used Ventolin for over a year. If she needs to, she uses the Bowen Release Move. "I have a new life now".
  
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Allergy Show 15-17 June 2007 Stand 109