Holistic approach to migraine is safer than taking pills

With the cases of migraine predicted to rise as the hot weather approaches, a leading practitioner and lecturer of the Bowen Technique is advising suffers who are concerned about taking prescription drugs to try alternative methods of relieving migraine symptoms first, after a national study showed that 79.5% of patients saw an improvement after receiving Bowen treatment.

Jo Lunn, a Bowen Technique lecturer and practitioner at The Hale Clinic in London, is hoping to encourage more patients to investigate more natural ways of treating the underlying causes of migraines and argues that it is often impossible to indentify a trigger, meaning that the only way forward for many is to take prescription drugs to manage the attacks, which in themselves can present some health risks.

Jo says:

“Migraines affect individuals very differently and can be triggered from a variety of factors including hormonal imbalances, allergies, lack of sleep, head, neck and shoulder pain or stress and so finding the root cause of the problem is a long winded and often fruitless exercise. The Bowen Technique is an holistic treatment, treating the body as a whole and not just the symptom it highlights. As it addresses the health of a person as a whole, the varying factors that cause migraines can be addressed, giving the body the best chance of preventing the attacks itself without the need for prescription drugs.”

The Migraine Action Association carried out a pilot study into the effects of Bowen Technique on 39 migraine sufferers in 2002. In all, 31 participants experienced a positive result, representing 79.5% of participants and a very impressive response rate showing significant improvement. At the end of the program, 36 of the 39 volunteers said they would recommend Bowen as a treatment to a friend or colleague.

At the time of the study, Ann Turner, Director of the Migraine Action Association said, “The results from the Bowen Technique National Migraine Research Programme are very encouraging. It confirms that this gentle, non-invasive, holistic therapy can help a wide range of migraine sufferers. The results confirm the findings of the pilot study and the fact that several different therapists were involved illustrates that it is the Bowen Technique which is effective not just one skilled or gifted practitioner.”

The Bowen Technique is a gentle hands-on treatment and the practitioner uses their thumbs and fingers on precise points of the body to perform a unique set of rolling-type moves over muscle, ligament, tendon and fascia prompting the body to reset and realign. It can be performed through light clothing and no oils or creams are used. It was developed in the 1950’s by Tom Bowen from Geelong, Australia and was bought to the UK in the early 1990’s.

The diversity of the Bowen Technique is immense from treating new-borns, the elderly and those in palliative care; from neck, frozen shoulder, knee and back trouble to infantile colic, IBS, RSI, hay fever, migraines, ME and strokes.

Jo, who also has her own practice in Malvern, Worcestershire (www.bowentechniquetraining.co.uk) adds:

“Many of my patients have seen a noticeable improvement in the severity or frequency of their migraines after treatment and I would certainly encourage anyone who is suffering with migraines and may be struggling to find the underlying causes to consider finding out more about The Bowen Technique and whether it could help them.”

ENDS

Editors Notes

Jo Lunn is a Bowen Technique Teacher and Practitioner. She teaches the Technique across the UK, and works from her clinic in Malvern Worcestershire and the Hale Clinic, London.

Jo specialises exclusively in The Bowen Technique. Bowen is a gentle hands-on treatment and Jo uses her thumbs and fingers on precise points of the body to perform a unique set of rolling-type moves over muscle, ligament, tendon and fascia prompting the body to reset and realign. It can be performed through light clothing and no oils or creams are used. It was developed in the 1950’s by Tom Bowen from Geelong, Australia and was bought to the UK in the early 1990’s.

The diversity of the Bowen Technique is immense from treating new-borns, the elderly and those in palliative care; from neck, frozen shoulder, knee and back trouble to infantile colic, IBS, RSI, hay fever, migraines, ME and strokes.

As well as performing The Bowen Technique Jo also trains others in Farnham, Northampton, Southampton, Wimbledon, Worcester and Wolverhampton. Courses are carefully structured to meet the specific requirements of individual students. All courses are biased towards practical demonstration, allowing plenty of time for each student to fully understand and apply each technique.

For press information, hi res images or to arrange an interview please contact Jessica Suter on 01603 283 503 or email jessica@mediajems.co.uk