How to get the best from your Bowen!

You’ve had a great Bowen session and feeling good!  Of course you want to resume all your normal activities because you feel fine.  Bowen has worked its magic so off you go and do that work out or go for that run…WRONG!
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​The Bowen will continue to work for a number of days (between 5-10) after your session.  During this time the mind/body is checking in and making adjustments as necessary.  If you go for that fantastic long run (that got you injured in the first place) you are letting your body know that this is what you want.  You want it to be tight in all the usual spots and you want it to keep doing that movement that hurts.  So that’s what you’ll get. 

 If, instead, you follow the guidelines below you’ll be encouraging your body to adjust itself back to a natural unstressed position of painlessness.  And this is how you want it to be. Yes?

​WATER: over the next few days drink plenty of water.  Staying hydrated allows the fascia, muscles, tendons etc to function at their optimal level.  It also helps to keep your kidneys and other internal organs working to flush out any toxins your body many decide to rid itself of while the body unwinds and resets itself.

​WALK: yep walk.  Just walk.  A short walk every day and regular daily activity is enough.  This sets the body back into good patterns of movement that are unstressed.  It allows the body to unwind. Don’t do that run or big work out no matter how great you feel!  Let the Bowen do its job.

WAIT: And again…don’t do that massive workout.  Your body was injured and it is now repairing.  This takes time.  Treat your body gently and with respect while you are receiving Bowen.  Take a relaxing walk and let the body unwind. Patience is the key here.  Your Bowen therapist is working hard to get you feeling great again but impatience works against the healing process.  Let the Bowen go about its business uninterrupted. 

And of course there's more!  I know you love your massage but…any other body work eg massage of any sort, lymphatic drainage, chiropractic work etc will also interrupt the Bowen. This includes another Bowen session within 5 days!  Bowen instigates a self-healing process in the body and this takes place over 5-10 days.  Any modality that manipulates the muscles or skeletal structure will interrupt the Bowen. If you’ve committed to getting Bowen treatment let the Bowen work.  The other modalities are awesome too but one at a time folks! Chat with your therapist if you’re not sure. 

One more thing to remember to get the best out of your Bowen!  Don’t use hot or cold packs on your injury while receiving Bowen treatment.  I know the wheat pack feels great but it will absolutely interrupt the Bowen. The Bowen session you had 2 days ago is still acting!  And it will continue to do so for 5-10 days…let it do its work! 

“But when can I run/workout/ride etc again?”  Ahhhhh….the big question on everyones lips…It is a process of reintroducing your usual exercise routine slowly.  If you were recovering from the flu chances are you wouldn’t start off with a big work out or even anything strenuous.  The same applies here.  Your body is recovering and repairing.  Listen to it! By taking 2-3 weeks to recover you can prevent further injury or prolonged recovery.  Frustrating I know but that’s how it works.  
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​Think of your body like an overheated car- it won’t start again until you let it cool down (put it into rest and repair mode), add water and maybe patiently make a few more adjustments and maybe even fix the leaky radiator etc…If you get that car started before you’ve done all those things you risk further, more serious damage. 

And the golden rule- if you’re not sure ask your Bowen therapist!  Put their card on your fridge and ring/text/email them. 
Get the best from your Bowen and enjoy the results!
Love and laughter til next week!
Sarah 
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