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THE BOWEN TECHNIQUE - WHAT IS IT?
Bowen is a sequence of gentle rolling moves using thumbs and fingers over the skin, targetting specific muscles and tissue
beneath. This stimulates the nervous system to have a positive effect on the underlying tissue, including organs.
Treatment can be carried out through light clothing and anyone from babies to the elderly can benefit.
Bowen triggers the nervous system to stimulate the body's own natural healing mechanisms. What makes Bowen so effect
are its short breaks between moves, allowing the body to respond.
Bowen can be considered for:-
Hayfever, asthma, neck and shoulder problems, back pain, colic, digestive problems, migraine, RSI, respiratory problems,
sciatica, scoliosis, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, earache, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, menstrual and hormonal irregularities,
knee ankle and foot problems, bowl problems and carpel tunnel.
WHAT ARE SPORTS THERAPY AND DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE?
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SPORTS THERAPY
Is the assessment and manipulation of soft tissue to:-
Release tension areas and improve joint mobility
Decrease stiffness and aches in muscles
Assist with rehabilitation and prevent injury recurrence
Provide a suitable exercise programme and aftercare advice
Provide immediate assistance and advice following injury
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
Is of benefit to all active people and those involved
in sport. It:-
Stimulates circulation through deep strokes
Focuses on deeper layers of tissue to release chronic patterns of tension
Stimulates nerve receptors, creating a reflex effect which leads to muscle relaxation
Is suitable for for both sporting and all active people
THE OVER-USE SYNDROME
Voluntary muscles create movement necessary to conduct our lives. There are over 600 muscles
that play their own individual part in moving the body. Although the muscular system looks highly complicated, it is
important to realise that the actual mechanics involved is very simple. A muscle can do only two things, it can contract
(shorten) and relax (lengthen). Muscles work in pairs - one contracts while the other relaxes. It is important
to see movement in terms of patterns of activity within a system, rather than individual muscle movement. Over-use problems
develop in parts of a system that are put under greater stress, or repetitive use, compared to the rest of the system.
These over-use problems are brought about not only through sport but also many occupational, postural
or emotional situations can have the same effect.
MICRO-TRAUMA
We all know that muscles can suffer acute strain, with fibres being torn, if over-used or overloaded.
The same can occur on a lar compartment, or even just a few fibres within it, are over-used.
The pathological changes that occur are just the same as with any soft tissue tear - that is
bleeding and swelling along with secondary tension surrounding the area, and the formation of scar tissue. This
is what accounts for the general soreness often experienced in muscles after hard exercise.
This feeling may be too slight to be noticed. Any moderate activity may help to promote circulation
and prevent adhesions forming in the damaged area.
However, scar tissue and tension in the area around the micro-trauma prevent any function (contraction
or stretching) and so the adjacent fibres have to work harder to make up for this deficiency. These fibres can become
over-used and may also suffer trauma.
Micro-trauma and scar tissue can then continue to build up gradually. Adhesions can
form and affect the elasticity within that particular area of muscle. This in turn makes more of the muscle vulnerable
to further micro-trauma, and so the over-use syndrome continues to develop.
As function deteriorates in a small part of the muscle it can create imbalance within the muscle
or muscle group, and eventually this can affect the muscular system as a whole. Sports and Deep Tissue Massage are
possibly the most effective means of identifying this type of problem. It can usually be felt as hardness in a muscle, which
runs in the same direction as the muscle fibres.
Although, we usually associate over-use in terms of active movement, inactivity can sometimes lead
to similar problems. Computer users, for example, commonly suffer occupational stress problems due to a fixed posture
and lack of movement. The body is capable of a huge variety of movements and activities, but does not cope well with
staying in a static position for long periods.
On an unconscious level when a tight muscle is slightly stretched, causing a small amount of discomfort,
the body instinctively shortens the muscle to release that tense feeling. This in the long term increases tension, without
the conscious awareness of the individual. Often no discomfort is felt until it reaches a critical stage of tension
and dysfunction. Perhaps a sudden movement or awkward sleeping position causes awareness and pain.
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APPLICATION OF SPORTS THERAPY AND DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
Massage has remained the principle method of treating most musculoskeletal problems for thousands
of years. It works on many levels, and its uniqueness combines various benefits to suit the individual, making it such
a versatile and effective treatment method.
All cells of the body need a good supply of blood for growth, repair and maintenance.
The stroking techniques of massage have a pumping effect, stimulating circulation of blood, and increasing the supply
and removal of substances on a cellular level. As well as being beneficial to local tissues, the general circulatory
stimulation can help improve the health or recovery of most other body systems.
When tissue damage occurs, some bleeding will take place and scar tissue will develop which
is a vital part of the initial healing process. However, very often too much bleeding occurs, which can lead to excessive
amounts of scar tissue forming. With chronic inflammation more scar tissue will continually form as the condition persists.
Scar tissue hardens over time and can eventually, in extreme cases, calcify and become as hard as bone.
Friction techniques in the post-acute or chronic stages will prevent excessive scar tissue
forming by stopping these cells from binding together. Where scar tissue has formed, friction can break it down into
smaller particles, which can be digested by phagocyte cells and absorbed into the lymph vessels.
Scar tissue is sticky and can adhere fibres together. When stuck together they cannot
glide smoothly alongside each other. Also the affected area will not contract and relax. Over time, an area of
muscle fribre can mat together into a hard lump or knot. Furthermore, fibrous adhesions, created from scar tissue, can
form between different structures restricting movement and function. Transverse strokes combined with friction can break
down the adhesions, literally tearing the adhered fibres apart. Once the fibres are separated they will be able to function
again.
Additionally, non-physical stress can lead to physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive
disorders and muscular tension.
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