Yes, absolutely!
In fact most children love Bowen Therapy and respond extremely well to this technique. Their bodies are so receptive to the neurological signals prompted by Bowen, and easily make the necessary adjustments without having to work through the layers of tension and toxin build up that adults hold in their bodies.
In addition to treating muscular-skeletal issues, many children Nicola works with suffer from sleeping disorders and/or behavioural issues. Due to the influence Bowen therapy has on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), it can assist with a broad spectrum of children?s emotional and physical health issues. It effectively stimulates a whole brain response, which addresses every system in the body?internal organ systems as well as the muscular-skeletal structure. This intricate network of nerves has two major divisions being the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) ?fight or flight? stress response, and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) ?rest & digest?. Most adults today live in a constant state of elevated stress or SNS dominance as it?s very common for the body to overreact to stressors that are non life-threatening. Unfortunately, what most of us don?t know is that this is also happening to our children, even as young as newborns.
How can Bowen Therapy help my Child or Newborn?
As newborns possess no life experiences, their minds are a blank canvas. Therefore if they are brought into this world in a distressed state, this would be the first experience imprinted into their unconscious mind activating a sympathetic or “fight or flight” nervous response. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is a survival mechanism associated with emotions of emergency, fear & anger. It powerfully inhibits the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which is responsible for letting the body know the “emergency” is over, and promotes a more calm and relaxed state.
A newborns SNS (fight or flight) is predominantly developed when they are born, unlike the PNS (relax & digest) which takes about 18 months to 2 years to develop. The immature nervous system of a neonate does not have the capacity to distinguish when the “emergency” is over so the impact of a distressing pregnancy or difficult birth on an infant as he develops into a young child can be quite significant. It switches their brain into a hyper-alertness, which can result in anxious, angry behaviour associated with a constant feeling of fear, affecting their ability to rest and sleep. The neurological impulses sent to the central nervous system via the Bowen Therapy moves basically act as a “reset” button and prompts the body back into parasympathetic mode resulting in calmer, happier children.
The effects of an unbalanced ANS may also become evident in children who have suffered emotional and physical traumas such as the loss of a loved one, bullying, broken marriages, neglect or abuse. Again, all of these experiences trigger the overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and can create developmental, behavioural and sleeping disorders. Bowen is an effective, gentle natural alternative that can address these issues at an early age, and prevent long-term physical and emotional affects through into adulthood.
Considering that the ANS is a responsible for regulating 80% of the bodies life-sustaining functions, such as breathing, digestion, heartbeat, blood pressure, body temperature and muscle tension, then it?s vital to ensure your child has a balanced ANS for good health and long term wellness.
Nicola works with children of all ages from newborns with colic, to teenagers with sports injuries. Parents are often pleasantly surprised at the profound effects of this light touch therapy, and have reported improvement in symptoms of many childhood ailments and problems. Bowen Therapy is being used with remarkable success in the treatment of children, and Nicola urges parents or carers to consider Bowen as a way keep their child?s mind and body happy and healthy.
Some conditions Bowen can assist with:
- Sleeping & behavioural issues
- Colic
- Scoliosis
- Digestive issues
- Asthma & eczema
- Improved concentration
- Growing pains
- Bedwetting
- Headaches
- Enhanced motor control
- Sports injuries
- Emotional trauma
- Muscular-skeletal conditions
Some childhood ailments may require regular Bowen treatments. All treatments are carried out through light clothing, whilst the parent / guardian remains in the room