Sammy was often unable to draw breath when crying, even fainting and requiring artificial respiration on one occasion. He was given three treatments over five days: firstly Bowen ‘asthma work’ was done on his soft toys with him puffing, then Mum tried her hand on him, and finally he allowed Tim to touch him for ten seconds. There had been no recurrence of the problem a year later.

Tim developed hayfever 5 years previously, just after recovering from chickenpox, and this recurred over the next two years, steadily becoming worse: hayfever is carried in his mother’s side of the family. Aged 11 he was given a Bowen treatment on the spur of the moment in a school break, and two days later all the symptoms disappeared, not reappearing that summer or the next, though many friends suffered for another month or so.

Seth is an active and successful footballer. Following a badly bruised leg five years ago in a traffic accident, then a twisted ankle more recently, his right knee had hurt almost daily for 2-3 months, and also his hip occasionally. After two Bowen treatments his knees are now ‘fine’, and to maintain his footballing standard he returns for a ‘top-up’ now and again.

Jenny had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia three years previously, and she had been into hospital at times for this. Both TENS machine and physiotherapy had made her worse; chiropractic and acupuncture had helped somewhat. GCSE exams looked to be out of the question.

After her first Bowen treatment Jenny’s headaches disappeared, she felt ‘freer’, and ‘going upstairs was easier’. Four days after her second session a phoned message said: ‘Please cancel the next appointment …. Why? …. Because Jenny is completely alright now, and back at school!’ Amazing!

As a student Rupert was a keen athlete and mountain biker. He had suffered from shinsplints for up to twelve years, usually triggered off by running. Physiotherapy had proved painful and given no relief. Within a few days of the first Bowen treatment he was almost completely pain-free, and after two sessions he has no recurrence of the problem a year later.

Lucy had suffered whiplash in a car accident two days previously. It was very painful to turn her head, so treatment was done with Lucy sitting in a chair. After one session she was ‘much better’; the second session, lying down, completely resolved the situation.

Karen came for treatment because of pain in her upper back and neck, down to her left elbow; and also for headaches. Due to fallopian tube problems she had received IVF treatment, but this had failed.

After a first treatment her right arm became very painful for two days, then everything ‘freed up’, including a painful knee which had not been mentioned. The headaches eased off after two sessions, and her eating habits improved after three.

Treatment four to nine were intended to address her reproductive system. After the fifth she felt great pain in the groin area, and ‘different’ the next day, as if ‘something had shifted’. The best news was that following further IVF treatment (or was it her husband?), she now a happy mum again!

Ruby suffered from stress-related problems, including agoraphobia, panic attacks, and pain from stiffness in her neck and shoulders. Seated during a demonstration she received a treatment, and was amazed at the immediate effect of relaxation and easing of tension in such a short time. Three further treatments followed, which Ruby says have helped her tremendously.

Margaret was was suffering from neck pains, migraines (up to two a week) and ‘creaky knees’. A former frozen shoulder had developed into a ‘golfer’s elbow’ and she had been referred on by a reflexologist. During the first treatment she felt that her neck kept ‘extending’, and her elbow started to free up. After four sessions her energy level was good, the shoulder was no problem, the migraines had stopped and the knees were better. Still a little soreness in the elbow, but a year later she is feeling ‘fine’.

Juanita came in the day after having pulled a hamstring during bowling. A previous similar experience had required massage twice a week for 3-4 months.

The leg was even more painful until the next morning following the first Bowen treatment, but the hamstring pain then disappeared; a slight residual twinge down the leg was fully resolved after the second session.

Tony's back 'went' one evening, a condition which usually requires him to lie flat in bed for five weeks on doctor's orders. However, a bowen treatment next morning gave immediate relief. He felt nearly 100% better after two, and the problem was quite resolved after three.

Awaiting his second hip replacement, with one knee strapped, and a bad back, the Mayor of Malvern tried out the Bowen therapy. Following the first treatment he felt no twinges all week, and spent a full day from 7am to 3pm with the refuse collecting truck. A few days after his second session he opened the Malvern Festival for Natural Health by affirming enthusiastically how pleased he was with the results of treatment so far!

With chronic asthma, arthritis 'getting in', and severe osteoporosis, a car accident had left John with an arm, collar bone and two thumbs broken and a constant slight headache.

He was very sceptical about Bowen at first, but after one treatment he had no more right arm pain or headache and had stopped taking tablets and painkillers. After two he no longer required his inhaler for asthma, he could water the garden again without pain, and could raise his arm easily to shave. After three he climbed the Hereford cathedral tower without stopping or using his inhaler - and received a certificate signed by the Dean!