Back Care Awareness Week

Today kicks off Back Care Awareness Week, and this year the theme is 'Builder's Back Pain'.

From our previous blog, you’ll know that Bowen practitioners help many people who have developed problems from their work, including builders and their backs.

The week will focus on the back problems builders encounter as well as the stresses and strains on construction workers, as the building industry has the highest rate of back related injuries.

The aim of the week long event, which is organised by BackCare, the charity for healthier backs, is to raise awareness of the problems back pain can cause, as well as prevention and treatments.

While we might all know the best way to pick up boxes safely, we tend not to think about the effect every day tasks like picking up shopping or children's toys have on our backs.

It's thought that 4 out of every 5 adults will experience back pain at some point in their life.

Bowen Therapy is a natural, drug-free, non-invasive, complementary therapy that has had some marvellous results with back-pain sufferers.

A national study, carried out by The Bowen Therapy Professional Association (BTPA) in the summer of 2006, showed that 95 per cent of back pain sufferers experienced either complete relief or a marked improvement, after a series of no more than three Bowen treatments.

As it prides itself on being able to trigger the body’s own healing systems, there would be less nasty side-effects from heavy painkillers.

Rather than 'making' the body change, Bowen 'asks' the body to recognise and make the changes it requires. With primarily fingers and thumbs, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual.

No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used. Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process.

If you suffer from back pain and are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, visit the website or call 0844 561 7173.

Bowen for every profession

Many people that visit Bowen therapists come to ease a problem caused by work. Even the least physical of jobs can cause ailments that Bowen is ready to relieve.


Teachers:Tomorrow is World Teacher’s Day so if you’re a Sir or Miss, perhaps treat yourself to some Bowen for your stress levels, back pain or RSI from writing on that board.

Hairdressers: Teachers aren’t the only ones prone to RSI, many hairdressers suffer with elbow/shoulder pain from trimming people’s tresses and back complaints from being on their feet all day.

Nurses:Nurses are also renowned for running about the wards all day, so could perhaps use a Bowen treatment for plantar fasciitis or other foot problems.

Policemen:Plantar fasciitis, aka ‘policemen’s heel’, is also a common affliction for cops on the beat – hence the nickname – as is back pain and stress.

Builders:Back pain is rife among builders too, due to the jobs physicality. General joint and muscular pain that builders endure could be treated with Bowen.

Office: Working in an office is one of the less physical jobs, but can still affect you physically. Slouching over your desk gives you bad posture which causes back and shoulder pain. Also, staring at a computer screen all day can cause headaches which could be eased with Bowen.

Night-workers: Getting in at 7am after a night shift and trying to sleep whilst the rest of the world is just getting started can be very difficult and frustrating. Fatigue and sleep-trouble are two other problems that Bowen can help.

Do you fit into any of the categories above? Or do any of the complaints sound familiar? If you are interested in how Bowen Therapy can help you, visit the website to find a Bowen therapist near you or call 0844 561 7173.