Parkinson's disease is a progressive neuromuscular degenerative disorder that affects muscle movement and control. The condition causes noticeable tremors in the extremities as well as jerky, stiff movements of the head, which then advances to a literal slowing or "freezing" of muscles, severely limiting movement and ability to speak, eat and engage in day-to-day activities. A popular alternative for the treatment of Parkinson's symptoms is called Bowen therapy.
Rebalance the autonomic nervous system by using what is known as the Bowen technique, a type of massage that stimulates connective tissues and muscles often affected by Parkinson's disease. The technique uses a series of gentle movements or manipulation of designed to restore balance between the nerves and the muscles they control. It is believed that the electrical impulses generated through the therapy techniques help to relieve the spasming of muscles through an increase in blood and lymph flow, both of which carry oxygen, nutrients and vital chemicals to the muscles, enabling them to work properly. The European College of Bowen Students presented a case study of treatment of Parkinson's with Bowen therapy (http://www.thebowentechnique.com/content/casehistories.htm#parkinson) at the Wallingford Hospital in Oxfordshire in the late 1990s, showing effective results following an eight-week period of treatment.
Treatment
Treatment with the Bowen technique typically lasts between 30 and 45 minutes and is conducted by a practitioner trained in the technique using their fingers and thumbs to literally roll various muscle fibers that enhance pain relief, and stimulate the skin, nerves and muscles in affected areas. The specific area is massaged or manipulated using the finger and thumb, then the muscle is moved in the opposite direction. Each move is followed by a short rest of approximately two minutes so that energy released from the nerves and muscle fibers has a chance to move throughout the body. Practitioners will generally work areas around the affected joint. The treatment is usually offered two to three times for relief, with three sessions per week.
Self-Help
Make the effort to walk at least 20 minutes a day after a Bowen treatment to help the body eliminate pain and restore adequate function to the body organs, flushing out toxins and restoring range of motion, decreased tremors and reduced pain for many. Patients are advised to drink between 8 to 10 glasses of water every day to help flush out toxins and relieve pain. Avoid any type of vigorous physical activity for a week after a Bowen treatment to allow the body to heal and avoid the use of cold or hot packs or hot showers/baths during the week to help prevent "short-circuiting" of nerves, muscle fibers and tissues worked and massaged during the Bowen treatment.
Tags: muscle fibers, Bowen treatment, after Bowen, , Bowen technique, Bowen therapy, nerves muscle