PMcGowan

Published at 01:00, Monday, 04 June 2007

By Pamela McGowan

TWO Cumbrian women whose lives were being destroyed by chronic back pain say have been completely cured thanks to a Carlisle therapist.

At just, 29, administrator Kellie Fricker developed such a bad back that she could barely put her own tights on.

She found herself hunching over like an old woman and could barely straighten up.

And 47-year-old mum and former midwife Fiona Watson had not been able to walk around the shops in years after developing severe sciatic nerve pain.

But now, thanks to the healing hands of Bowen therapist Freda Hodgson, both women claim thay are back in control of their lives and their bodies.

They have decided to share their discovery, and are both speaking out to promote the use of complementary therapies such as Bowen in the fight against back pain.

This technique uses small thumb and finger movements to realign the body, relieve tension and pain.

It was recommended to Kellie, of Kingstown, by her sister-in-law because she was suffering chronic pain.

She said: “I’d had a bad back for at least ten years.

“It originated when I was studying for my exams and bending over all the time, then I had a minor car accident which added to it.

“It was terrible.

“I was all hunched up and could barely straighten or walk properly.

“I just looked at myself in the mirror one day and thought I’ve got to do something about this,” she said.

Kellie booked an appointment with Freda, who is based at the Creachann Centre in Norfolk Road, Carlisle, and has never looked back.

Her first appointment was in February this year and in just four sessions her back problems had gone.

She no longer needs treatment and has only been back on a couple of occasions after twisting her back.

“I didn’t really know what to expect.

“I’d been to an osteopath before and you can feel everything they are doing but this was different.

“It was so relaxing – a couple of times Freda had to wake me up.

“By week two I’d started to notice a difference and by week four I felt as though I could have flown.

“And because Bowen treats the whole body Freda found things wrong with me I didn’t even know I had.

“I can finally wear high heels again,” added Kellie.

Fiona, of Newtown Road, claims to be another success story. She was suffering so badly from sciatica – caused by a shoulder injury, stress and tension – that she had to take time off work and was getting desperate.

“It was literally bringing me to my knees and I was prepared to try anything.

“I’d never heard of Bowen but someone mentioned it at a conference so I looked it up. I found Freda and only needed three treatments then it was gone,” said Fiona.

“Over the past few years I haven’t been able to walk around town shopping without my daughter and would have to stop and crouch down when the pain started. The other day I drove all the way to Birmingham to a funeral and was able to stand up for four hours.

“That just wouldn’t have been possible.”

Discovering Bowen has also changed Fiona’s perspective on life and how she looks after her health and wellbeing.

Throughout June Freda is taking part in a national back pain survey to see how many sufferers experience full or partial relief through Bowen.

It can also be used to treat shoulder, knee and ankle pain, repetitive strain injuries, migraine, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, hay fever and even colic in babies. For more information contact Freda on 07759 447687 or email freda@cumbriatherapies.com.

PMcGowan@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk