Clinical studies and patient testimonials clearly show that the Bowen and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) techniques are effective in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Both of these holistic treatment techniques are rapidly gaining popularity in South Africa where practitioners all work to a strict code of conduct enforced by the Bowen Association of South Africa, established in 1998.
Causes and symptoms of PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is caused when a person experiences a deeply traumatic and/or disturbing event. For example, PTSD is common among American war veterans who were exposed to traumatic combat situations. Other traumatic events that can cause PTSD to include:
- Car accidents
- Kidnapping
- Medical procedures
- Rape
- Physical and sexual abuse
- Violent assault
PTSD symptoms can manifest for weeks or even several years after the traumatic event. Symptoms may be sporadic and can be triggered by something remembered such as a noise, a smell or certain words. Symptoms include:
- Headaches, including migraines
- Hyper-vigilance
- Irritability
- Lapses in concentration
- Muscle aches and pains
- Muscle tension
- Sleeping disorders
A Bowen Therapist and Reiki healer testifies to the efficacy of using the technique to treat patients suffering from PTSD. She says that in all cases, her patients’ symptoms reduced dramatically after just three sessions.
This is how Bowen Therapy assists with PTSD
After experiencing a traumatic event, the body reacts with a “fight or flight” response. The PTSD symptoms result from an excessively stimulated nervous system. Bowen Therapy helps the body to “change gear” into a repair, relax and rest mode. Not only does it strengthen the immune system, but it also encourages the body to self-heal.
What Bowen Therapy is and is not
Bowen Therapy is not a massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupressure or trigger point therapy. Instead, it is a “hands-on brain-body” technique that targets the neuro-muscular system.
There are no drugs, needles, or equipment involved in the technique. Practitioners use their forefingers and thumbs to create rolling movements over muscles, nerves, tendons and soft tissue.
There are at least two-minute intervals between “sets” to allow the nervous system to process brain signals. The effect is one of deep relaxation and successive sessions will gradually support physical wellness, balance the digestive system, as well as musculoskeletal and other systems.
PTSD and HBOT
At present, a clinical study of HBOT to combat PTSD is being conducted by Professor Shay Efrati at the Assaf-Harofeh Medical Centre in Zerifin, Israel. The team of scientists will be using functional analysis and brain imaging tools to evaluate the efficacy of HBOT in the treatment of PTSD.
Thirty participants between the ages of 25 to 60 years are taking part in the study which will be completed by the end of 2019. They will receive 60 daily HBOT sessions, five days a week, and lasting for 90 minutes of exposure to 100% oxygen. The participants will be given five-minute air breaks every 20 minutes.
Criteria for inclusion in the experiment were the onset of PTSD resulting from combat or other terror-related events. The participants also had to be suffering from PTSD for at least four years and have failed to respond to other forms of treatment.
Overview
People suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can relieve their symptoms with Bowen Therapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Ongoing clinical studies have found evidence to support the belief that HBOT has been successful in patients who had failed to obtain relief from any other remedies.
The Bowen and HBOT technique is fast-growing in popularity in South Africa, with practitioners operating in most major cities, as well as in Namibia. The fact that these techniques are holistic in approach, and therefore non-intrusive, is another reason for Bowen’s appeal.
Bowen Therapy is a therapeutic technique that clears imbalances such as muscular, postural and structural. It also redresses mechanical and neural dysfunction. It initiates self-healing, encourages the body to relax and destress, and restores the body’s original alignment “blueprint”, restoring postural deficiencies.
HBOT therapy increases the body’s oxygen intake which, in turn, aids detoxification and healing. The treatment is administered in a hyperbaric chamber and the patient is fed 100% oxygen in sessions of between 90 minutes to two hours. The delivery of these increased amounts of oxygen to damaged areas of tissue speeds up the healing process.
The Bowen and HBOT technique is fast-growing in popularity in South Africa, with practitioners operating in most major cities, as well as in Namibia. The fact that these techniques are holistic in approach, and therefore non-intrusive, is another reason for Bowen’s appeal.