By Helen Griffiths
Increasingly people are turning to alternative therapies to address various problems from stress to medical conditions. Once eschewed by all but the very few, holistic therapies such as shiatsu, acupuncture and a whole host of others have seen a dramatic rise in recent years, and the various centres and practitioners in N16 are proof of their popularity in the area.
One therapy which isn’t quite as well known is the Bowen Technique. Devised in Australia by Tom Bowen, the technique involves a series of movements over muscles and tendons which are applied with gentle pressure in order to stimulate a response within the body and promote healing. Local BTAA accredited practitioner Mike Patrick explained how the therapy encourages the body to repair itself effectively by moving and concentrating energy sources. ‘The body prioritizes its own healing and so, by stimulating localised areas, all different conditions can be treated without subjecting the patient to any pain.’
Bowen Technique has often been described as the most relaxing modality for patients. My flatmate – a willing candidate who works long hours in a stressful job and has permanent back pain from an old injury – was called on to test this theory out. Her initial reaction was that she found the process so non-invasive she wasn’t sure it would have any real effect. But, following the treatment she felt noticeably more relaxed, the pain was alleviated and she slept well. Even more impressive, the effects continued throughout the next day, for much longer than the benefits of massage are normally felt. On average patients need fewer sessions of Bowen Technique than comparable therapies, and relatively minor problems can normally by treated with two to three sessions. Interestingly, due to the success rate of Bowen, many osteopaths and shiatsu masseurs who have cross-trained now use the technique to treat the majority of their patients.
Mike, an artist who specialised in life drawing, was introduced to the Bowen Technique prior to undergoing an operation. ‘I wanted to prepare my body for the trauma that goes along with any medical operation and this was recommended to me. I felt the benefits of it enormously and decided to pursue it as it links in with my general interest in anatomy and physiology.’ As well as being a useful pre-operative therapy, Bowen is also highly recommended for babies to help them recover from the traumatic experience of birth. It can promote calmness and well being within a baby helping them to sleep and soothe irritability.
Before treating patients, Mike establishes relevant medical history and lifestyle issues in order to try and address the condition: ‘often the body compensates for injuries or stress and the key to Bowen is to realign the body in order to heal the original problem.’
So, in the run up to the most stressful of seasons – not to mention the most illness beset – this might be just what you need.
Mike Patrick can be contacted on 07961699841. A treatment session costs £40 and can last from 30minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition. Gift vouchers are also available.
Boosting your endorphin levels
By Bodel Rikys
Raising your endorphin levels could help you feel good in the run-up to Christmas instead of being overwhelmed by the stress of the festive season. Staying calm enough to enjoy the celebrations can be a challenge.
Endorphin meditation is a pleasurable and effective way to improve your health and wellbeing. You will be gently guided into triggering endorphins, the feel-good hormones, and turning off the stress hormones of adrenaline and cortisol. Endorphins make us feel good because they are the body's natural opiates, designed to remove stress and pain. Their general effect is to relax tissue and create physical and emotional feelings of contentment.
Adrenaline and cortisol are there to help the body to 'fight or flee'. They contract muscles and prepare the body for action. If they are not used up in physical movement they can remain frozen in the body tissues causing ongoing stress and discomfort. Endorphins are produced by the experience of pleasure, real or imagined. So they can be triggered by, for example, a memory of a happy holiday, which can then be used as a gateway to meditation. Once the endorphins are triggered, they can be guided around the body for general health enhancement.
I have had had more than thirty years experience of meditation, holds endorphin meditation classes in Stoke Newington. In my classes I encourage clients to boost their endorphin levels by thinking about places, people and activities they love, to feel the pleasure of that experience in their bodies and let that good feeling deepen. This good feeling is produced by endorphins, which are imagined as a golden stream of oil or liquid honey, and using the mind, is guided around the body.
Sessions last for 60 minutes and can be taken lying down or sitting comfortably. Bodel Rikys holds weekly endorphin meditation classes at Shine Holistic, 52 Stoke Newington Church Street N16 OBN. Tel: 020 7241 5033. Cost £10 per session. One to one sessions from £45. Bodel can be contacted for information at bodel.rikys@virgin.net
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