BOWEN THERAPY AND ASTHMA
The Bowen Technique
National Asthma
Research Program
October 2002 to March 2004
by Nikke Ariff
Goal:
The national research program was launched to determine the efficacy of the bowen technique in the treatment of the asthma condition. The research was aiming to record any changes in their pattern volunteer's symptoms in terms of:
- frequency
- severity of attacks
- and reliance on medication over a period of 12 months whilst receiving bowen treatments.
Selection of candidates: The Volunteer Group
The parameters set were as follows:
- the volunteers had to be over 16 years of age
- they must not have been hospitalised for their condition
- they must have been diagnosed as an asthma sufferer by a GP or hospital specialist
- Asthma must be their main health concern
The Volunteer Group: Profile
Of the 24 Volunteers: 16 women, 8 men
The Therapists:
All were fully qualified in the bowen technique and fulfilled the qualifications set out by the governing body The Bowen Therapists European Register
The Research Program:
The program was carried out over a 12 month period. No treatment protocol was set for the bowen therapist to follow. This is because bowen is a holistic therapy and it was felt that the bowen therapist should not be compromised in having to treat according to a set protocol as opposed to treating the Volunteer as a unique individual. The asthma volunteer kept a weekly diary throughout the 12 month period additionally, a diary was completed for every Asthma attack experienced during the research period.
The Results of the Bowen Technique
National Asthma Research Program
Of the 24 participants who completed the 12 month program:
All 24 volunteers reported that Bowen had made a positive difference to their asthma condition.
7 registered "my asthma has improved dramatically"
14 reported "my asthma has improved substantially"
3 reported "my asthma has improved slightly"
20 (83%) reported a reduction in the frequency of their asthma attacks
18 (75%) reported a reduction in the severity of their attacks
18 (75%) were now using less medication than before starting the Bowen Research project
14 (58%) reported they were responding better to their medication
17 (71%) volunteers reported their sensitivity to triggers had reduced
Although only 15 of the 24 volunteers used Peak Flow meters at home, all 15 (100%) of them reported their readings had improved.
Volunteers were asked to rate their asthma condition on a scale of 0 to 10.
Total number of Asthma attacks:
The total number of reported asthma attacks for all the volunteers as a group, showed a dramatic improvement in their second 6 months on the research program:
This represents an improvement of 69% in the number of Asthma attacks over the first 6 months they were on the Research program.
Conclusion:
The results are very positive, evidenced also by the fact that every volunteer replied they would recommend bowen therapy to a fellow asthma sufferer. Bowen addresses the individual as an integrated biodynamic system as opposed to his or her isolated ailment. The asthma condition has a myriad of triggers ranging from emotional trauma, stress levels of the individual, exercise, food and environmental allergens. These factors are so varied, that a holistic therapy like bowen should be considered as a valid option for the health of an Asthma sufferer.
Clearly this is the result of only 24 volunteers, but the overwhelming positive results are very encouraging.
Denise Onslow, Registered Bowen Therapist
University Pain Clinic & Wellness Centre
105 University Avenue East, Suite 8
Waterloo ON N2J 2W1
(519) 574-0515
