A client came for Bowen Therapy with ongoing pain and instability in his right knee, particularly around the outer side of the knee in the area of the iliotibial band attachment and vastus lateralis tendon.
The symptoms would mainly appear during long walks across steep moorland terrain. He regularly completed walks of around 15 miles and noticed that during the final couple of miles his knee would begin to feel painful, weak and unstable, almost as if it might give way beneath him. The discomfort would often continue for around an hour afterwards.
The problem had been present for approximately six months.
Although walking on flat ground was generally manageable, hills and uneven terrain consistently aggravated the issue. After returning home from his walks, the knee instability affected everyday movements too. Getting out of the car became difficult, and he often had to twist himself around and use both feet together because he did not trust the knee to support his weight. Going upstairs after walking also became problematic, forcing him to climb one step at a time.
The client felt the issue may have been connected to an old Achilles tendon injury and subsequent surgeries several years earlier. He had previously sought help through the NHS system, including gait assessments, insoles and physiotherapy, but had not received a clear diagnosis or lasting improvement.
Initial Presentation
Immediately after long walks, the pain was typically around 4–5/10. The main issues reported were:
- Pain around the lateral knee
- A feeling of instability or collapse
- Difficulty getting out of the car
- Needing to climb stairs one step at a time after walking
After the First Bowen Treatment
Following the initial session, the client felt there may have been a slight improvement. He completed an even longer walk the following week, including steeper terrain, and noticed the knee seemed to recover more quickly afterwards.
Pain levels reduced slightly to around 4/10, and he described the knee as feeling a little more stable. However, he still instinctively protected the joint when getting out of the car and continued using both feet on stairs after long walks.
At this stage, the changes were subtle but encouraging.
After the Second Bowen Treatment
The second treatment included both ankle and knee procedures.
By the following week, the client reported that the knee pain had completely gone.
He had completed another long walk and realised afterwards that he had not experienced the usual pain during the final miles. Walking upstairs was comfortable again, and when getting out of the car he noticed he had done so normally without even thinking about the knee.
Interestingly, he had also changed from walking trainers to boots during this walk and wondered whether this may have contributed to the improvement. However, he also described the knee as feeling “stronger inside,” although he found it difficult to fully explain the sensation.
Pain levels reduced to 0/10.
Follow-Up Feedback
Feedback obtained the following week confirmed the improvements had continued:
- No return of knee pain
- No instability getting out of the car
- Stairs no longer problematic after walking
Summary
This case highlights how Bowen Therapy may help support changes in pain, movement and stability, particularly where long-standing compensatory patterns may be involved.
The most noticeable improvements appeared after the second treatment, which included both ankle and knee procedures, suggesting that addressing the wider mechanics of the leg may have been an important part of the overall change.
As with all bodywork approaches, responses vary from person to person, and in this case, the client experienced a significant reduction in symptoms and was able to return to long-distance walking without the pain and instability that had previously been affecting him.