Techniques
Bowen Technique
A deeply relaxing therapeutic technique.
Bowen focuses on enhancing the quality and function of Fascia.
Fascia, the continuous matrix of connective tissue that supports all cells in the body, helping form and function all structures including bones, nerves, muscles, tendons and organs.
The quality of health of Fascia is key to the health and functioning of all cells in the body. The better fascia health is the better we feel, the healthier we are, and the more we can accomplish with less effort.
Long periods of physical stress and tension, or trauma from surgery, over training or sports injuries can cause the Fascia to affect the health of the rest of the body. Injured or overstrained fascia becomes contorted, sticky, adhered and misaligned. These affects stifle cell function in the muscles and organs. Leading to pain, poor organ function, restricted movement, and further injury.
Bowen Technique can help address all of these.
Bowen Technique is:
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Bowen Technique primarily uses cross fibre myofascial release techniques. Specific cross fibre muscle releases are used to rehydrate Fascia and trigger nerve receptors to regulate body tissues. As a result the Fascia becomes more responsive and more mobile allowing the realignment of soft tissue, accelerating healing potential, releasing trauma, and improving soft tissue function and strength.
Bowen Technique promotes:
Correct alignment of joints, cranium and spinal column
Relief from local and referred pain
Healthy muscle tone and function
Healthy lymphatic and blood circulation
Release of trauma to allow resolution of old injuries
Full soft tissue integration to allow resolution of repeat injury
Relief from muscle tension and headaches
Ease in muscle function
Optimal muscle strength
Spinal joint health
Articular joint health
Improve scar tissue flexibility and comfort
Stimulation of the healing process throughout the body
Improvement in range of movement
Improvement in balance and gait
Whole body integrity and vitality
Reduced risk of injury to muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons
Faster recovery from injury
Ease in breathing and digestive issues
Recovery from Long Covid and other fatigue based conditions
Resolution or improvement of even long term health conditions
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The condition, function, and response of the fascia and soft tissues are continually assessed throughout treatment. Highly skilled level of touch directly reads exactly what your body’s tissues are doing. No need for guesswork or random application of techniques hoping that something may work.
This direct ability to assess tissue state allows for:
A productive treatment session every time
Accurate guiding of activity and sports training levels through seeing the duress or productivity of your activity or training on your body.
Prevention of injuries
Guides productive rehabilitation plans
Swifter recovery from injuries and illness
Accurate monitoring of your treatment progress
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Observations are made of when and where in movement pain or restrictions occur and these observations help guide structural rehabilitation through treatment, and guide exercise and activity advice.As well as supporting accurate monitoring of your treatment progress.
Mobility restrictions, pain when moving, gait (walking style) abnormalities, limb mobility discrepancies, RSI, joint pain or restrictions, and postural imbalance all benefit from Biomechanical assessment.
Observations from Bio-mechanical and Soft Tissue assessments allow your needs to be addressed at the causal level. Bringing full resolution of conditions. Which is far more beneficial than returning again and again to have the same superficial symptoms addressed.
Recommendations
At the end of each treatment session recommendations may be made for you to do before your next treatments session. These can come in the form of strengthening or relaxing exercises, sports training changes, lifestyle approach or bio-mechanical awareness, and mindfulness techniques.
When appropriate your Bowen session may also include:
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Heat can be applied to soft tissue if the injury is in a chronic stage. Heat will increase the blood flow to the area and therefore enhance the healing process and remove waste products that may be causing you pain. Heat can be applied in treatment in the form of Moxibustion, Infra Red Lamp, and therapeutic oils.
Used to:
Relieve pain
Strengthen and move Qi
Strengthen Muscles
Ease joints
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A partial vacuum is created inside a glass container known as a ‘cup’ before being placed onto the body. The vacuum provides a gentle suction on the skin and underlying soft tissues.
Cups can be placed over Acupressure points and left in place for a while to promote strong stimulation. Or they are moved over the muscles to effect larger areas. Finally, flash cupping is where the cups are placed on the body and then quickly removed, in order to provide a milder stimulation.
Used to:
Stimulate local circulation blood and fluids in the muscles and fascia to help mend painful, stiff and damaged tissues.
Relieve muscle pain, such as lactic acid, after intense sporting or prolonged physical activities.
Clear painful penetrating chills in chronic injury sites
Clear stagnating blood (bruising) that could be hindering healing
Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu Massage is all about creating a healthy state of Qi, a healthy you, by using skilled pressure and massage to Acupressure points and Meridians.
Resolving health conditions through working with the Qi in acupressure points and meridians is a well established aspect of Oriental Medicine.
Qi is the subtle energetic foundation of all form and function in the body. Address imbalances in the Qi and you can prevent illness, injuries and emotional disturbances developing, and calm and balance those that have already occurred.
When receiving Shiatsu Massage you remain clothed, so light flexible clothing is highly recommended, allowing for freedom of movement and comfort throughout treatment.
Shiatsu massage is an exceptionally enjoyable and deeply effective remedial therapy, addressing you health needs at a causal level, a superb way to manage your stress and health needs.
Shiatsu Massage is:
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There are a few ways to assess Qi in the body. Acupuncturists tend to assess quality and state of Qi though points on the wrists. In Shiatsu we assess the quality and state of Qi of the whole body through areas along each side of the spine, or the Hara (the abdomen). An assessment of Qi balance is done at the beginning of each treatment session. This shows the practitioner which Meridian’s and Acupressure points will be most beneficial to treat to bring about an improved state of health. At the end of a Shiatsu Massage Qi is often read again to make certain the harmonious changes desired have been achieved.
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Qi balancing uses both Meridians and Acupressure points.
When Qi is free flowing and in harmony our physical body feels light, energetic and flexible, organs work more efficiently, pain and discomfort are reduced, and good posture and emotional calm are the norm.
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Qi permeates all the structures of the body. To affect all the body’s Qi Shiatsu practitioners use pathways of focused Qi in the fascia just below the surface of the body. These pathways are called Meridians. Different Meridians have different qualities and perform different functions in the body.
Healing touch, hand pressure, massage and dynamic stretches are used to balance and ease the flow of Qi.
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Acupressure has been recognised as a superbly effective therapy for thousands of years. Great knowledge has been documented about the specific use and effect of the Acu points affording us today this substantial natural medical system.
Shiatsu Massage uses acupressure points along with the traditional medical system understanding stemming from oriental medicine.
Acu points function to encourage very specific balance and healing change. There are over 150 commonly known points to choose from. These are used individually or in combination with complimentary points to affect improvement in both physical and mental health
Recommendations
Observations from treatment can provide effective activity guidance, effective exercise advice and accurate monitoring your health progress.
At the end of each treatment session recommendations may be made for you to do before your next treatments session. These can come in the form of strengthening or relaxing exercises, life style awareness and guidance, and mindfulness techniques.
When appropriate your Shiatsu session may also include:
-
Heat can be applied to soft tissue if the injury is in a chronic stage. Heat will increase the blood flow to the area and therefore enhance the healing process and remove waste products that may be causing you pain. Heat can be applied in treatment in the form of Moxibustion, Infra Red Lamp, and therapeutic oils.
Used to:
Relieve pain
Strengthen and move Qi
Strengthen Muscles
Ease joints
-
A partial vacuum is created inside a glass container known as a ‘cup’ before being placed onto the body. The vacuum provides a gentle suction on the skin and underlying soft tissues.
Cups can be placed over Acupressure points and left in place for a while to promote strong stimulation. Or they are moved over the muscles to effect larger areas. Finally, flash cupping is where the cups are placed on the body and then quickly removed, in order to provide a milder stimulation.
Used to:
Stimulate local circulation blood and fluids in the muscles and fascia to help mend painful, stiff and damaged tissues.
Relieve muscle pain, such as lactic acid, after intense sporting or prolonged physical activities.
Clear painful penetrating chills in chronic injury sites
Clear stagnating blood (bruising) that could be hindering healing.
Move Qi within acu points and meridians to clear Painful Obstruction Syndromes associated with chronic injury sites.