Simply Bowen

I don't think I have ever experienced anything 'like being Bowened'. If I had only seen it being done, I would have looked at it the way I do crystal balls, people's aura and Loch Ness monsters. Luckily I got the chance to experience it. I have been a rock climber for almost twenty years, but starting five years ago, I had a serious shoulder injury due to overuse. Despite pursuing many treatments, I was out of climbing for eighteen months before it got better. When identical symptoms returned last year, I despaired. Describing my situation to Hannah, she convinced me to try Bowen. Convinced, because I felt sceptical towards what felt like a treatment I couldn't... see. I was scheduled in for three appointments.

The therapy itself felt like nothing. Basically using little more than a thumb and forefinger, Hannah pinched and pushed small muscles for a few moments before leaving the room for a spell. After a couple of pinching sessions the treatment was over. That was it?

It was. However, within three days, symptoms disappeared. Within two weeks I was training again, and my shoulders have been trouble-free ever since.

I reflect on my Bowen treatment with a mixture of disbelief and immense gratitude. With my previous experience of injury, I held little hope, and to be climbing again so soon felt incredible. Whether it was Bowen, or the way that Hannah used it, I'm not sure, but I feel certain that it was the treatment that got me better. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to anyone. As Shrek said, I'm a believer.

Niall Grimmes, Writer and Climber

I have suffered from lower back pain for about twelve years - not all the time but, particularly in recent years, more on than off. Over the last ten years I've tried a wide range of therapies attempting to address this, with varying degrees of success. My first acupuncture treatment, when the problem was at its most acute, was a 'miracle cure' experience, but when the pain later returned and became more chronic acupuncture no longer seemed to have a lasting effect. Other treatments I've tried - physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage therapy, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, reiki healing ... even homoeopathy -have given equally limited or short-lived results.

I first tried Bowen therapy about four years ago. While my back did seem to improve somewhat, at the time I put that down more to lifestyle changes. When I saw another Bowen therapist a couple of years later I was also having other treatments, and so again found it difficult to attribute the ensuing improvement to something which seemed to need a stretch of the imagination even to be called a 'treatment', as what was done felt so minimal.

As both Bowen experiences were quite pleasant though (no painful needles!) I went back for more recently, with Hannah this time. And this time it's very clear to me that the Bowen treatment has helped to shift the problem ... to the extent that I've recently been able to take up running regularly again for the first time in seven years.

After living with back pain for so long it feels amazing to get up in the morning expecting to be pain-free for the whole day. I know that I have Hannah's treatment to thank for this, and I would not hesitate to go back for more if necessary or to strongly recommend Hannah and Bowen therapy to anyone with back pain or associated problems.

Helen Bush, Teacher

I'd never heard about Bowen until recently and now I'm a firm believer in its positive therapeutic effects! I've found Bowen useful for a number of ailments including digestion problems, colds, back pain and a frozen shoulder.

Hannah is a great therapist and she really listens to your problems and puts you at ease. She gave great after care advice including simple exercises to promote the healing effects of the therapy. I find Bowen really relaxing and always sleep like a log the night after my treatment; its completely painless and short treatments can be fitted into a lunch break which is a great breakaway from a busy stressful day.

Rachael Hibberd, Nurse