Support is growing for the use of alternative therapies, such as the Bowen Technique, to help wounded veterans to recover from their dehabilitating injuries, says Bowen4Veterans.

Following the airing of BBC's 'Wounded' in which soldiers Andy Alan and Tom Neathway were followed as they recovered from their crippling injuries sustained whilst on duty in Afghanistan, the Bowen4Veterans campaign has revealed that there are an increasing number of cases where alternative therapies like the Bowen Technique are complimenting existing rehabilitation programmes by helping wounded veterans come to terms with their injuries and aid the recovery process, and are calling for increased access for soldiers to such treatments.

The Bowen Technique is a non-invasive, relaxing yet powerful form of bodywork. Bowen helps to reset the body so it can heal itself and restore its natural healing ability and promote pain relief, recovery of energy and functionality to the body.

A rising number of medical experts are recognising the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment and rehabilitation and are increasingly supporting the use of alternative treatments like Bowen.

Dr Gaby Cora, a medical practitioner, former Lieutenant Commander andauthor says:

"Massage therapies may be helpful for different reasons: people with trauma may be in a hyperalert state and gentle techniques may desensitize them from brutal memories or experiences. In addition, they may help the person "reconnect" or ground themselves by becoming more tuned in more relaxed and comfortable within their body."

Bowen4Veterans has exclusively released details of three cases in which soldiers gained relief after receiving Bowen treatment in the hope that it will help raise awareness of the variety of treatments available to help wounded veterans recover from their injuries.

Chris, who was injured by an IED explosion in Helmand province earlier this year, received severe facial injuries and was thrown 20 or 30 feet away, landing with full body armour on top of him. He lost a lot of blood and a tooth, and there were concerns for his sight. However, when he returned home to recuperate, other problems emerged in that his upper and lower body seemed to be moving quite independently from each other. As a trained Bowen practitioner, Chris's mother Marylin decided to see if it could help her son and says:

"He took little persuasion to try Bowen, which surprised me actually. I did the basic moves, turned him over, put 1 move across his neck, and his face turned black. Presumably, all the bruising, which had not yet shown, emerged in an instant. By the end of the day, not only had that cleared, but Chris was moving quite fluidly."

Former Private John Gould suffered severe shoulder injuries after being involved in an explosion in Northern Ireland. John had Bowen for the first time earlier this year and says:

"Even since the explosion, I've suffered from stiffness and pain across my legs, hips, lower back and even feet. The doctor even prescribed me quoterzone injections in the balls of my feet to relieve the pain. Yet from just a few sessions of Bowen, my stiffness had gone and I had better movement than I've had in a long time. I wish I'd known about this years ago."

Former soldier Mark Perkins decided to try Bowen to help relieve his chronic back trouble and says:

"Bowen has not only cured me of chronic back trouble, but also continues to resolve work related aches and pains. I served in the British Army for 17 years and know first hand what soldiers experience and endure. I can recommend Bowen to help servicemen recover more quickly from their injuries and also to help restore normal muscle function post recovery. The benefits of Bowen reach further than just helping with physical injuries; the overall feeling of well being that I receive from treatment leads me to believe that it could also be of benefit to those dealing with mental traumas."

Bowen practitioner Jo Lunn who founded Bowen4Veterans earlier this year, believes that the gentleness of the technique is particularly suitable for aiding rehabilitation and could help keep veterans in the best physical condition to meet the demands of other medical treatments and procedures.

Jo explains:

"When I've worked with people before and after surgery, their healing time has been quicker to the point that the consultants have commented on it.

The Bowen Technique works with the fascia of the body - a three-dimensional interconnected web of tissue that extends throughout our body. It gives us structural integrity as well as protection and support. It also provides the environment for intracellular communication and so one Bowen move within the fascia has a ripple effect that can have influence of on other areas of the body. It is also the fascia that is the front line in helping the body to repair from injury. Also our nervous system is found within our fascia and so a Bowen move has a neurological effect on the body too. This enables the brain to establish the appropriate response for the body to correct itself, be that on a physical, mental or emotional level."

"It has helped many to come to terms with the severity of their injuries without in any way giving in to them. It is this combination of physical and emotional stimulation that is proving so critical to the recovery process," says Jo, who practices Bowen at her clinics in Malvern, Worcestershire and at The Hale Clinic in London.

For more information please visit www.bowen4veterans.wordpress.com