The client attended for Bowen Therapy with persistent lower back pain that formed a broad band across the lumbar region, particularly in the area of the quadratus lumborum. On the left side, the pain radiated down the outside of the leg, around the iliotibial band and vastus lateralis, continuing behind the knee and into the Achilles tendon. On the right side, the pain remained around the hip.
The client explained that sitting for longer than two hours, caused his back to stiffen and the pain to increase. Standing afterwards was difficult, often requiring him to pull himself out of the chair because his leg muscles felt as though they were not working properly. Although his back pain usually remained around 4–5/10 when he exercised regularly and managed it carefully, prolonged sitting could increase it to 8/10 and produce a sharp sciatic-type pain down the left leg. Since his right hip replacement, he had also become increasingly aware of his sleeping position and avoided sudden movements because he felt as though his sacroiliac joint might “pop.” When his symptoms were at their worst, he was unable to sleep on his back and had to lie on his side with one knee drawn across his body
At the second appointment, the client reported that his left-sided pain had completely resolved and the remaining discomfort around the right hip had reduced to 3/10. He had completed a long drive to London and noticed that the pain did not begin until around two hours into the journey, and then only around the right hip rather than down the left leg as before. While visiting family he was able to carry out extensive gardening and heavy lifting without experiencing the previous fear that his sacroiliac joint was about to give way. Following the second treatment he experienced only mild stiffness for around 36 hours, after which the symptoms settled. He remained largely comfortable, with only slight morning stiffness and occasional stiffness after working on his allotment.
By the third treatment, the left side remained completely pain free (0/10). The remaining discomfort had shifted from the right hip into the right lower lumbar region, where it presented as a constant dull ache of approximately 5/10. Despite this, the client reported that standing up from a chair no longer felt uncomfortable, and his sitting tolerance had increased from approximately two hours to around three hours before symptoms developed. He was also pleased to find that he had been able to sleep on his back comfortably for the first time since his symptoms had begun.
A week after the third treatment, the client reported experiencing temporary fatigue and stiffness for approximately 24 hours before feeling bright and energised. By the end of the week he remained free from lower back pain and stiffness. The only symptom still present was a mild dull ache (around 3/10) running down the outside of the right leg from the hip towards the knee, while the neck and jaw discomfort had almost completely resolved.
Approximately one week later, the client sent a further update to report that his lower back remained “fantastic.” He had spent much of the week clearing and digging bindweed on his allotment without any ill effects and felt that his energy levels were good. At that stage, his only remaining discomfort was around the outer aspect of the right leg between the hip and knee.
Summary
Overall, over the course of three Bowen treatments, the client experienced a gradual improvement in both pain and function. The original left-sided lumbar pain and referred leg symptoms resolved completely, sitting tolerance increased from approximately two hours to three hours, standing after prolonged sitting became easier, and he was able to return to gardening without provoking his lower back symptoms. The client also reported improved sleep, being able to lie on his back comfortably for the first time since the pain began. Although a mild ache remained in the right leg, it was significantly reduced and no longer limited his daily activities.