Healthy body

As a registered Bowen therapist, I have to complete 16 hours of continued professional development (CPD) every year. This used to be left to the last minute, when I would hurriedly search around for an appropriate course.  Not so now, when there are some very interesting courses available.  In July, I attended the Special Bowen Procedures Part 2 (SBP 2) see http://www.bowen-technique.co.uk/ and discovered some amazing Bowen to help more people. I don’t always need these special moves because the basic work helps 85% of most cases.

One area often neglected in body work is the digestive system. This is strange when you think about it, because what we put into our mouths (healthy or not so healthy) helps function and provides the energy so vital to overall wellbeing.  The SBP2 does teach moves to aide digestion and I carried out one of these procedures this week on an MS client, who immediately began experiencing tingling in her legs when usually she has little feeling there, incredible. After the sensations had subsided and the session was finished, she was able to walk more easily out of the clinic, without her stick and feeling better.

Today the Riverford van http://www.riverford.co.uk/) arrived with my organic fruit and vegetable box.  I never know what produce is going to be delivered: this is such fun as I know it will be flavoursome and there will be a lift of energy straight after eating it. I think of my digestive system, maintaining my health, having a long life and then going to the gym!   

 

Autumn

This week there has been a cold nip in the air early in the mornings and as the sun goes down. Always at this time of the year, it is only a matter of a few weeks when sandals will have to be replaced with boots and coats will have to be worn over wraps and layers. It is also a time when I look at my wardrobe for a cull and decide what colour I want to wear for winter. I had my season and style revealed for me a few years ago by a consultant with the House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk I discovered I was an autumn – not surprising as I do love this time of the year in my garden, raking up all the colourful leaves and tidying it up for the long dormant months ahead.

The fashion is great again I feel, with the return of dresses – so feminine. I’m not so keen about the high heels and I have had a few casualties where clients have literally ‘fallen off’ their heels. Twisted ankles, stubbed toes and plantar fasciitis which is torn fascia on the sole of the foot – very painful and all taking quite a few months to get better, especially if the person re-offends!

I wonder if I am turning into an old wise granny before my time when I look at the flat pumps worn by the youngsters, thinking of the lack of support their shoes are giving them or the fact that they may already have an uneven gait from hip imbalances creating pronation of the feet, fallen arches, and heel spurs. Similarly, the posture of the top heavy chest that hovers over the high heels to balance and prevent topple. I sigh and hand out sachets of Bowtech crystals - so soothing for aching and swollen feet - leaflets about the Bowen Technique  www.bowtech.com  that I offer to help correct their alignment – the website address of my cousin in the USA www.watkinsfootcentre.com who explains about these podiatry terms – and I rarely mention the platform shoes I used to wear…   

 

 

Helping ourselves

I do answer a lot of telephone calls about Bowtech products. I enjoy chatting to people from all over the country that want to help themselves or others.  Most people just want to find a simple remedy that can be applied easily, taken as a supplement or used as part of their daily routine. That is exactly what I can supply.            

One lovely call today came from a man who bought  a 10ml rollerball of Bowtech Ease from me last week. He had broken his wrist a few years ago, but it had healed unevenly and was often painful. He found it hard to accept that just by rubbing on the ointment would provide relief. Of course, I emphasised the ointment should be gently pressed in rather than rubbed. As a reflexologist  I am a firm believer this may help to break down congestion and calcification. I have worked with Bowtech Ease using foot reflexology with many people over the years where regular treatment has helped even out hard skin, mis-shapen bones and gritty reflex areas.

In the Daily Mail newspaper last week (September 23rd), it was reported  that Dr Marjolein Kammers of University College London had carried out a study about pain relief and the sense of touch individuals use in order to help themselves.  She said: “Pain isn’t just the signals coming from the body to the brain, but it is also the way the brain processes those signals.”  This seems to support all the self-help measures we know so instinctively and why many of us seek out remedies often online or through word of mouth to help ourselves. Keep these old fashioned remedies I say!   

Working late

People often ask me what creams are good for the feet. It is all very well using my products such as Bowtech Crystals, which are dissolved in warm water with your feet in a bowl or foot spa, whilst munching away happily on a carrot stick or sticky bun. Then rinsing your fingers to apply Bowtech Ease onto your sore bunion or persistent ankle problem that won’t go away, since you fell off your high heels a few weeks ago.  But, what about nurturing your skin further after the soak? The answer lies with B-line’s incredible ‘Feet Treat.’ http://www.bodyspatreats.co.uk/   This is a rich balm that I use at night after my bath. I massage it into my feet and then pop on a pair of cotton bed socks to further encourage the cream to reach my epidermal skin layers rather than my satin bed sheets.   

I feel it must be a common theme: we sole traders that have our own businesses, working into the night to catch up on emails and other enquires that need answering. The day might have involved seeing clients, some hurried shopping around the lunch break, but always ending up in the office. And why is it, at the beginning of a fresh new month that all the bills come in? I seem to spend copious amounts on membership and insurance for my business, do I really need it and what benefits  are there for me?

Not wanting to end this grumbling, but not wishing it on those reading this, I will make myself a cup of green tea and retire. Goodnight!