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FEAR OF FALLING ?
When you reach a certain time in your life there may be a coming together of factors that make you more liable to fall. It happened to my great Uncle Freddy who had moved from the farm in Minnesota at 21 years old to a beautiful new district in San Francisco. 71 years later in his Tenderloin apartment a combination of environmental and personal factors caused a fall; found 2 days later he was taken to SF General where he was deemed “structurally sound but badly shaken”. He spent his final year in Vacaville in nursing care where his fear of falling eventually restricted him to bed.
Fortunately, most falls do not end in death or result in significant physical injury. Unfortunately, the fear of future falls often leads to dependence and increasing immobility, followed by functional deficits. Not only is there a decline in physical and social activities but activities of everyday living become more difficult. The best way to overcome that fear is with the confidence that you … 1. have taken the necessary precautions with your environment 2. have taken control of the personal issues that increase risk. 3. know when prudence is important.
Here is a mnemonic (I HATE FALLING) that outlines some reasons people fall, with the italics written by George F. Fuller, Col., the 2001 White House physician and deputy director for clinical operations. I have included notes on how Bowenwork may be helpful after each item.
Inflammation of joints (or joint deformity) Bowen reduces inflammation and lines joints up, reducing the pain and irritation of arthritis and old injuries.
Hypotension (blood pressure changes). Bowen moves, including the Kidney procedure, help to regulate blood pressure whether it is high or low. If you stand too fast and feel light headed it may be circulation or certain medications.
Auditory and visual abnormalities. The Tmj procedure effects acuity of ears and eyes but be aware of environmental factors such as low light or glare.
Tremor (Parkinson's disease or other causes of tremor) Every Bowen moves speak directly to the brain where tremors are controlled, giving you the most efficient use of your nervous system.
Equilibrium (balance) problem. There are many effective approaches to both structural issues such as hips and knees that affect balance as well as other procedures for vertigo and dizziness.
Foot problems. Bowen procedures for bunions, hammertoes and plantar fasciatis are usually complimented with pelvic work to reset weight distribution through the feet correctly.
Arrhythmia, heart block or valvular disease. Bowen promotes good heart health and is easily received by stroke and heart attack victims.
Leg-length discrepancy. Hip rotations that cause this and many hip pains are easily dealt with by doing the Pelvic procedure.
Lack of conditioning (generalized weakness). A catch 22 here; if it hurts to move then you don’t so you become weaker and it hurts more to move. Bowen breaks this cycle and adds a cup of energy to get you on your way.
Illness. Bowen deals with both Chronic and acute illnesses and is tolerated and helpful at all stages. When do you want the healing to begin?
Nutrition (poor; weight loss.) Keeping your strength up includes good fuel that is used successfully. From GERD to IBS Bowen activates your body to run better.
Gait disturbance. One of the greatest rewards for me personally from this work is the renewal of hope that I see when clients put aside canes and walkers. They get around better, so they get around more.
A single fall may have multiple causes, and repeated falls may each have different reasons. Among those not covered specifically in Col. Fuller’s verse are medications (particularly when 4 or more are involved), osteoporosis (weak bones are damaged during and/or can cause falls, confusion and dementia.
A final big category is the Environment that we function in. Things at home that we can do something about include: the removal of rugs, cords and clutter, adequate lighting and contrasting colors on floors, handrails, removal of low, unsteady, and bulky furniture. Repair cracks and abrupt edges of sidewalks and driveways. Remove high doorway thresholds, trim shrubbery along the pathway to the home, have at least one phone extension in each level of the home and post emergency numbers at each phone. Check lighting for adequate illumination and glare control, maintain nightlights or motion-sensitive lighting throughout home, install electronic emergency response system if needed, avoid using floor polish or wax, install a raised toilet seat if needed, adjust height of bed to make it easy to get in and out of while putting weight equally on both feet.
The challenge here is to maintain confidence so that you will keep your level of activity high enough to sustain physical health while being aware enough to slow down and change when risk factors increase.
Bowen starts your healing process in the area of all physical, emotional, and mental capabilities that your body can reset and bring back into smooth functioning. Bowen activates your body’s knowledge of its best self. We all know that deep in our fibers we do know what structural and functional correctness is. Bowen moves connect your brain to the parts of your body that are stuck in old injury patterns. Since the brain is pretty much in charge of the physical body, when it is put on alert that something needs to change it then activates every needed fiber and chemical under its control to cooperate. Bowen asks your body to reassess its current state and make the changes it knows are needed, it’s that simple. And did I mention painless and you keep your clothes on.
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