Parkinson's - More By Dr. John Coleman
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Dear Bowen Therapist,
Neurological disorders are difficult to treat for three reasons.
1. The skeletal and muscular dysfunctions we observe are neurological in
origin and do not respond to Bowen in the same way as injuries and
skeletal imbalances.
2. The symptoms occur as a result of damage to, or destruction of specific
brain cells. Therefore, long-term or permanent improvement can only
result from repair, replacement or regeneration of these brain cells.
3. Repair, and consequent resolution of symptoms, takes a very long time,
and cannot be hurried. Each Bowen session serves a number of purposes. Each of these purposes is equally important, and it is vital that we do not concentrate solely on the physical manifestations of the disorder.
Each time you see your patient, you bring to them the following gifts:
1. Contact with a professional health practitioner who believes they can become well.
2. Contact with a health practitioner who gives them time to speak and listens to what they have to say.
3. The knowledge that they are complete, beautiful human beings, worthy of your
undivided care and attention.
4. The healing touch of Bowen Therapy.
5. The certainty that they will receive the comfort you give them on a regular basis.
6. An assessment of their current condition and progress over time.
Even though there are a number of Bowen Therapy schools teaching different
interpretations of Tom Bowen’s work, all are valid; all can help people with neurological disorders move toward wellness. There are, however, principals of treatment which should be observed closely:
© 2008 www.ParkinsonsRecoveryProgram.com
If it hurts, it’s too hard. The purpose of Bowen Therapy in treating neurological
disorders is to pump water, balance energy and encourage regeneration/reactivation of brain cells. Therefore, the therapy does not need to be hard or deep. In my experience, digging too deeply into muscles that are rigid, locked and painful is counter-productive; it causes the muscles to become even more rigid, creates pain, and operates on a physical, rather than a neurological level.
All treatment should be symmetrical, except for the coccyx move, specific brainbalance sequences and extraordinary circumstances. Two of the purposes of using Bowen Therapy are to encourage symmetrical energy within the brain and symmetry of physical movement. Therefore, the therapy needs to be symmetrical. The coccyx move is, of its nature, asymmetrical and serves to promote symmetry of energy along and around the spine. Occasionally, there is a need to treat a specific asymmetrical condition such as a frozen shoulder or asymmetrical back pain. Asymmetrical treatment is appropriate here, but it needs to be understood that this is simply treating the physical symptoms of a neurological condition.
Bowen Therapy can’t do it alone. It is tempting to think that persistent use of Bowen Therapy will eventually create a healing pathway without recourse to any other therapy. In my experience, this is not possible with neurological disorders. Bowen Therapy is a critical, integral part of a synergistic recovery programme. It helps give mobility and peace as well as the benefits described above.
Many of our patients are old, frail and rigid. All are very sensitive. It is very important to move each muscle group or limb only as much as is comfortable for the patient. The rigidity, pain and/or slowness of movement shown by our patients is neurological in origin, and we must be patient in “re-educating the brain” to allow freedom of movement. It has been my personal experience that attempting to create freedom of movement by challenging muscle groups is painful, depressing and inclined to set us back or discourage us from trying to get well. Bowen Therapy is one way to gain a real appreciation of the progress toward health each person is making. This is described in the chapter “Judging Progress” (page 40).
IS THERE A STANDARD PROTOCOL?
Following the first one or two treatments, I find it most effective to give my clients a “complete” treatment at each visit. I do not intend to describe specific moves to use during any one treatment, rather I wish to set down principles of treatment I have found to be effective over the last nine years. Because each interpretation of Tom Bowen’s work names moves differently, I will give general descriptions only. Each practitioner should assess his or her client on each visit as you do now. Treatments may need to be varied from a set routine because of particular stresses, accidents or changes in your client’s condition.
On the first two visits, I suggest that basic moves only be used covering the back, neck and legs. On the second visit, it may be useful to introduce the TMJ move if your client is robust enough. This can assist with balance and mobility.
© 2008 www.ParkinsonsRecoveryProgram.com
From the third visit, I like to do a “complete” Bowen treatment each time. This includes the basic back moves (sometimes freeing the erector spinae muscles) and, often, extra hip moves where mobility is a problem, plus sacrum and hamstrings while prone. I almost always include either a coccyx balance or, when supine, the pelvic/psoas moves. In the supine position, I use abdominal moves, neck, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow and wrist (carpal tunnel) and, almost invariably, the TMJ. I work slowly and very lightly, with long pauses, to let each client relax and gain full benefit from the treatment.
If you are skilled in any form of foot or cranial work, you may wish to incorporate some individual moves into your routine. However, people receiving basic Bowen Therapy from a loving practitioner who uses a very light touch make good progress. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to use EXTREMELY LIGHT touch. Firmness of touch will only result in discomfort and aggravation of symptoms.
Following testing during 2001, we have been able to estimate that Bowen Therapy constitutes about 25% of the physical recovery process (remember, most healing comes from within the patient). It works synergistically with the Aqua Hydration Formulas that do about 60% of the work. So Bowen is vitally important to people recovering from neurological disorders, but will give greatest benefits when used with hydration therapy. Remember, you are the practitioner your client sees most often. Therefore, you have a unique opportunity to join them on their great adventure. I encourage you to participate fully and enjoy the experience.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions about Bowen Therapy for neurological disorders, or wish to discuss the progress of your client.
Thank you for your care,
John Coleman, ND, MANPA, MBTAV
Supplements recommendations as per John Coleman’s program
Vitamin C – 4000mg mixed ascorbates plus bioflavinoids, non flavoured tablets or powder
Folic Acid – 500mcg to 5mg (critical if the client is taking levodopa drugs)
Vitamin B complex – high potency, one tablet daily
Magnesium – up to 5 grams daily in powder form
Selenium – 5mcg – 100mcg
Zinc – 30mg elemental zinc
Other useful supplements according to need and affordability:
Fish Oil - 1000 mg capsules including DHA & EPA - 1 to 3 capsules daily.
Vitamin E - 100 to 500 mg ( use cautiously if any history of heart disease)
CoQ10 - a200 mg.
Grape Seed Extract - an amount rquivalent to 1 mg of procyanidins per Kg of body weight if taken with synergists or 2 mg per Kg of body weight if taken alone.
Dear Bowen Therapist,
Neurological disorders are difficult to treat for three reasons.
1. The skeletal and muscular dysfunctions we observe are neurological in
origin and do not respond to Bowen in the same way as injuries and
skeletal imbalances.
2. The symptoms occur as a result of damage to, or destruction of specific
brain cells. Therefore, long-term or permanent improvement can only
result from repair, replacement or regeneration of these brain cells.
3. Repair, and consequent resolution of symptoms, takes a very long time,
and cannot be hurried. Each Bowen session serves a number of purposes. Each of these purposes is equally important, and it is vital that we do not concentrate solely on the physical manifestations of the disorder.
Each time you see your patient, you bring to them the following gifts:
1. Contact with a professional health practitioner who believes they can become well.
2. Contact with a health practitioner who gives them time to speak and listens to what they have to say.
3. The knowledge that they are complete, beautiful human beings, worthy of your
undivided care and attention.
4. The healing touch of Bowen Therapy.
5. The certainty that they will receive the comfort you give them on a regular basis.
6. An assessment of their current condition and progress over time.
Even though there are a number of Bowen Therapy schools teaching different
interpretations of Tom Bowen’s work, all are valid; all can help people with neurological disorders move toward wellness. There are, however, principals of treatment which should be observed closely:
© 2008 www.ParkinsonsRecoveryProgram.com
If it hurts, it’s too hard. The purpose of Bowen Therapy in treating neurological
disorders is to pump water, balance energy and encourage regeneration/reactivation of brain cells. Therefore, the therapy does not need to be hard or deep. In my experience, digging too deeply into muscles that are rigid, locked and painful is counter-productive; it causes the muscles to become even more rigid, creates pain, and operates on a physical, rather than a neurological level.
All treatment should be symmetrical, except for the coccyx move, specific brainbalance sequences and extraordinary circumstances. Two of the purposes of using Bowen Therapy are to encourage symmetrical energy within the brain and symmetry of physical movement. Therefore, the therapy needs to be symmetrical. The coccyx move is, of its nature, asymmetrical and serves to promote symmetry of energy along and around the spine. Occasionally, there is a need to treat a specific asymmetrical condition such as a frozen shoulder or asymmetrical back pain. Asymmetrical treatment is appropriate here, but it needs to be understood that this is simply treating the physical symptoms of a neurological condition.
Bowen Therapy can’t do it alone. It is tempting to think that persistent use of Bowen Therapy will eventually create a healing pathway without recourse to any other therapy. In my experience, this is not possible with neurological disorders. Bowen Therapy is a critical, integral part of a synergistic recovery programme. It helps give mobility and peace as well as the benefits described above.
Many of our patients are old, frail and rigid. All are very sensitive. It is very important to move each muscle group or limb only as much as is comfortable for the patient. The rigidity, pain and/or slowness of movement shown by our patients is neurological in origin, and we must be patient in “re-educating the brain” to allow freedom of movement. It has been my personal experience that attempting to create freedom of movement by challenging muscle groups is painful, depressing and inclined to set us back or discourage us from trying to get well. Bowen Therapy is one way to gain a real appreciation of the progress toward health each person is making. This is described in the chapter “Judging Progress” (page 40).
IS THERE A STANDARD PROTOCOL?
Following the first one or two treatments, I find it most effective to give my clients a “complete” treatment at each visit. I do not intend to describe specific moves to use during any one treatment, rather I wish to set down principles of treatment I have found to be effective over the last nine years. Because each interpretation of Tom Bowen’s work names moves differently, I will give general descriptions only. Each practitioner should assess his or her client on each visit as you do now. Treatments may need to be varied from a set routine because of particular stresses, accidents or changes in your client’s condition.
On the first two visits, I suggest that basic moves only be used covering the back, neck and legs. On the second visit, it may be useful to introduce the TMJ move if your client is robust enough. This can assist with balance and mobility.
© 2008 www.ParkinsonsRecoveryProgram.com
From the third visit, I like to do a “complete” Bowen treatment each time. This includes the basic back moves (sometimes freeing the erector spinae muscles) and, often, extra hip moves where mobility is a problem, plus sacrum and hamstrings while prone. I almost always include either a coccyx balance or, when supine, the pelvic/psoas moves. In the supine position, I use abdominal moves, neck, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow and wrist (carpal tunnel) and, almost invariably, the TMJ. I work slowly and very lightly, with long pauses, to let each client relax and gain full benefit from the treatment.
If you are skilled in any form of foot or cranial work, you may wish to incorporate some individual moves into your routine. However, people receiving basic Bowen Therapy from a loving practitioner who uses a very light touch make good progress. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to use EXTREMELY LIGHT touch. Firmness of touch will only result in discomfort and aggravation of symptoms.
Following testing during 2001, we have been able to estimate that Bowen Therapy constitutes about 25% of the physical recovery process (remember, most healing comes from within the patient). It works synergistically with the Aqua Hydration Formulas that do about 60% of the work. So Bowen is vitally important to people recovering from neurological disorders, but will give greatest benefits when used with hydration therapy. Remember, you are the practitioner your client sees most often. Therefore, you have a unique opportunity to join them on their great adventure. I encourage you to participate fully and enjoy the experience.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions about Bowen Therapy for neurological disorders, or wish to discuss the progress of your client.
Thank you for your care,
John Coleman, ND, MANPA, MBTAV
Supplements recommendations as per John Coleman’s program
Vitamin C – 4000mg mixed ascorbates plus bioflavinoids, non flavoured tablets or powder
Folic Acid – 500mcg to 5mg (critical if the client is taking levodopa drugs)
Vitamin B complex – high potency, one tablet daily
Magnesium – up to 5 grams daily in powder form
Selenium – 5mcg – 100mcg
Zinc – 30mg elemental zinc
Other useful supplements according to need and affordability:
Fish Oil - 1000 mg capsules including DHA & EPA - 1 to 3 capsules daily.
Vitamin E - 100 to 500 mg ( use cautiously if any history of heart disease)
CoQ10 - a200 mg.
Grape Seed Extract - an amount rquivalent to 1 mg of procyanidins per Kg of body weight if taken with synergists or 2 mg per Kg of body weight if taken alone.