Today’s Therapist International Trade Journal   

Issue 57    April May 2009   

The Bowen Technique Exercise induced tachycardia                 

Bowen Technique practitioner and teacher Paula Esson has described an unusual application of Bowen for one of her very sporty clients.  

Steve originally went to see her on recommendation from other sports players.  He is a 38-year-old competitive badminton player with no history of heart related problems. 

The story is an interesting one in relation to anatomy, Bowen, and thinking outside the box to get the result.   Steve is very down to earth and calm, generally enjoying a healthy lifestyle.  The increased heart rate, over 220 beats/minute commenced during the 3 game of a match when his body was being pushed. The symptoms were alarming and had landed him in A&E on a few occasions. 

He arrived for Bowen treatment seriously considering reducing his sport after the medical system said it was something he would have to live with.   

On looking further with Steve, Paula discovered that one month prior to the first episode, he had fallen sideways into the side of his bath, bruising his right ribs and pushing them heavily into his thoracic spine. However this was not considered part of the heart rate symptoms.   His ECG had ruled out any heart problems and it therefore seemed logical to suggest a skeletal injury causing or contributing to the problem.   

A thoracic injury could conceivably have caused irritation of the autonomic nervous system ganglia as they pass either side of the spine, resulting in a surge of stress inducing hormone. This might lead to increased or altered heart rhythms, in this case under stress when Steve arched backwards to do a powerful smash shot.  

So what was the answer?   

In Bowen terms, a calm and mindfully delivered back and neck procedures, plus the diaphragm procedure started the recovery process.  In the next game there was a delay before the symptoms usually began. Steve still had the tachycardia but it was 180 bts/minute rather than off the scale at 220-240 bts/minute.   

Treatment 2: the Bowen TMJ/ Pelvic Procedure and Shoulder Procedure gained the result we were really after and Steve competed in a high level game symptom free.  Any major twisting of the thoracic spine seemed to bring the symptoms back. Playing badminton or carrying out tasks that involved working with his arms over his head for a period of time or holding a thoracic rotation of the spine for a while would start things off again.  

However, periodic treatments would free this up and keep him clear for months at a time.  There are a few other tricks that were put in to assist him as well if he felt the symptoms were beginning.   

A drainage move over the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the right side was employed to trigger Acetyl Choline (ACh)  release from the vagus nerve, which automatically reduces heart rate (parasympathetic nervous system). He self-treats with this on the rare occasions he needs it. This helps to regain the autonomic nervous system balance.   Lying down on the back over a rolled up towel placed under the mid-thoracics, reverses the natural arch of the spine and releases pressure around the nerve roots and surrounding structures. 

Steve uses this on the first sign of a problem and as a warm up / warm down with great success.   Importantly though, Steve is now playing and working again with the knowledge that he has recovered and has management tools if needed.   

The case is a specific one but applies to anybody with increased autonomic activity, heart arrythmias, anxiety symptoms, respiratory symptoms, etc., as well as being an important preventative tool for sports performance.   

Steve is so impressed with the work he has given financial backing to a new integrative health service with the Bowen Technique at the centre of its philosophy in the North East.  He is totally convinced that it has a major role to play in the future and a service that everyone should have access to.    

With many thanks to Paula for this excellent case history.  

© E.C.B.S 

Paula Esson is a Bowen Technique practitioner and Bowen teacher with the European College of Bowen Studies.    

Janie Godfrey is a Bowen Technique practitioner in Frome and has been in practice since 1999.  She also works part time at the European College of Bowen Studies office.   

Contents provided by the European School of Bowen Studies (ECBS)   

For further details about the Bowen Technique please contact Karen on 01954 260 982 / 07714 995 299 or email [email protected]