Hot Flashes During Pregnancy: How To Keep Your Cool

When you think of hot flashes, chances are your first thoughts are menopause. But you can't be menopausal. You're pregnant. So, what's the deal? Before you stress out and experience another hot flash from thinking about this, rest assured what you're going through is normal. It's part of the beautiful, though at times annoying, changes you'll experience during your pregnancy.

It might give you some comfort to know you're not the only pregnant woman who experiences hot flashes. However, you should be aware that unlike morning sickness, well, hot flashes can still occur after you've given birth. Even so, you might find it comforting to know that the percentage of new mothers who do go through drops by 6%. 

• It happens to about 35% of pregnant women
• 29% of new mothers experienced hot flashes after giving birth as the hormones in your body return to their normal state

The problem with hot flashes is it can strike at any moment. Some women experience it as early as their first trimester. But then, others only get it during the latter part of their pregnancy. When it does, you feel restless and confusion all at once. So, what's causing it?

Is there a reason for hot flashes during pregnancy?

The answer is yes. Well, to be more precise, it's a list of what can trigger a hot flash. The exact reasons for it remain a mystery. Even so, knowing what can set it off in the first place is a start.

Your hormones are jerking you around

• When your estrogen levels drop, it causes you to stress out easily
• In response, your body pumps more epinephrine and norepinephrine into your blood
• It's the reason why you feel an increase in body heat

You're not drinking enough water

• Your aware of the fact that you're supposed to get 3 liters of water daily when you're pregnant, aren’t you?
• Your body temperature during pregnancy increases to 37.8 degrees C due to increased metabolism
• Drinking water can help regulate it so you won't overheatYou've gained too much weight

You Have Gained Too Much Weight!

• It's another reason to stick to your pregnancy diet
• Your body temperature during pregnancy increases to 37.8 degrees C due to increased metabolism
•  It's advisable to minimize carb intake, avoid spicy foods, and eat protein

Stressful situations can also trigger hot flashes. Likewise, the clothes you're wearing can set it off. Hence, the reason why you might want to strip naked when it does

Is it a hot flash or a fever – how do I tell them apart?

The intense heat you feel during a hot flash can make you wonder whether you have a fever. However, unlike fevers, a hot flash won't give you a temperature. Moreover, the sensation is fleeting. At best, it will last for a few minutes.However, it's possible for you to experience both at the same time. So, be sure to have a thermometer handy to take your body temperature on occasions when a hot flash strikes. If your hot flashes last longer then let your doctor know about it at once. Likewise, if your temperature goes beyond 100 deg F. Notable symptoms of hot flashes you can experience:

• Sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Blushing
• Unexpected warm feeling notably from the chest area towards the neck and up to your face
• Chills

How to keep your cool?

No doubt, you're concerned if your hot flashes are affecting the baby. Well, you have nothing to worry about that because it won't, according to Helen Taylor, who is an independent midwife at Midwife Care. Thus, it means you can focus your efforts on addressing the discomfort it brings you.

Consider your clothing

• Go for layers of loose-fitting clothes so in case you start to feel hot, it's easier just to strip off a layer at a time so you won't be tempted to go au naturel
• Stir clear of synthetic fabrics, choose breathable materials like cotton and linen so that you can get better air circulation

Manage your environment & Watch What You Eat!

• Consider opening the windows at night to let fresh air in
• If necessary, add an electric fan or an air conditioner, so you don't have to bother fanning yourself manually
• For your greater comfort, turn down the temperature but advise your family beforehand so they can dress appropriately for it◦ Keep two types of blankets handy – use a thick one if it's cold or get the thinner one on nights when you feel hot
• A spray bottle with water also helps for quick, cool spritzes
• Look into your diet◦ Remember to drink often and as much as 3 liters a day to help manage your body temperature
• Keep a water bottle within reach at all times.
• No matter how much you love spicy foods, for your sanity, stay away from it while you're pregnant as it can set off hot flashes
• If you want flavor then opt for seasons like basil, chives, and other gentle spices
• Cut down on carbohydrates
• Eat every four hours or three if you feel hungry sooner

Get Some Exercise Or Try Meditation

• A bit of workout can minimize the build-up of body fat during your pregnancy, remember excess fat dissipates its heat
• Always check with your doctor before engaging in any physical activity
• Exercises like yoga is also great for reducing stress
• Get into meditation and practice deep breathing exercises when you start to feel stress
• If you don't need to go out, then stay home – crowded places can stress you out, moreover, sitting on a crowded bus or train can make you hot

Conclusion

Hot flashes, chills & head aches are unpleasant, but they're part of the crazy yet wonderful experience of pregnancy. Rest assured you're not alone as other pregnant women experience this discomfort. However, your ability to manage its symptoms and causes can help you enjoy every moment of your pregnancy. Remember, the hot flashes will pass. However, if your hot flashes continue and hinder your everyday life then be sure to consult with your doctor right away.

For More Informative Articles, Please keep visiting us!

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Is It Important to Swaddle Your Baby?

Is it Important to Swaddle Your Baby?

Swaddling is the act of snugly wrapping up your baby in a blanket or cloth for warmth and security. It can serve to calm and soothe your baby. The wrapping is done in such a way that the baby’s limbs are restricted. It should keep the baby from moving around unnecessarily but still maintain good circulation. This helps keep your baby from startling his own self by his own jerk reflex, and helps keep your baby warm after childbirth, until his internal ability to regulate his body temperature kicks in.

Swaddling is actually an age-old practice and it has been around for decades. The age-old practice involved wrapping infants in blankets to restrict the movement of their limbs. To further enforce restriction on movement, swaddling bands were also often used. Swaddling goes way, way back but the most popular record of swaddling would probably have to be the account of the birth of Jesus, found in the New Testament. As described in the Bible, swaddling clothes consisted of a piece of cloth or garment that is tied together by strips of bandages or similar cloth. In biblical times, the umbilical cord of an infant would be cut and tied after childbirth. The baby would then be washed. Salt and oil will be rubbed all over the infant’s body before the baby is wrapped with strips of cloth. This act of wrapping an infant was then believed to keep the newborn baby warm. It was also believed to make sure the limbs of the baby will grow straight. In those times, “unswaddled” served as a metaphor that meant abandonment.

Moving on to Tudor times, the act of swaddling would leave the baby wrapped in linen bands from head to foot. Swaddling was done to prevent physical deformities from developing and to ensure the baby would grow with straight limbs. To secure the head, stay bands were attached to the forehead and the shoulders of the baby. Swaddling would go on until the baby was about 8 to 9 months.

Swaddling cloths these modern days are now consisted of cotton receiving blankets, cotton muslin wraps, or special winged swaddles for babies. After a decline in popularity in the 17th century, swaddling is slowly and steadily making a comeback. Modern swaddling is becoming popular by the day as a way for parents to settle and soothe their irritable babies and to help their babies get longer sleep sessions with lessened disturbances. Modern swaddling cloths are now specially designed to make swaddling your baby easier when compared to swaddling with a traditional square blanket. Modern specialized baby swaddles typically come in the form of a T-shape or a Y-shape, designed with wings that can be folded around the torso of the baby or run down the shoulders and go around underneath the baby. Some parents will opt for these specialized swaddles because it is easier to properly swaddle a baby, especially when the design comes with a velcro patch or other fasteners. Large square receiving blankets or wraps are still also preferred by some parents because these blankets can provide a tighter and more custom fit, aside from the baby not outgrowing the blanket.​

Reasons for Swaddling Babies

Swaddling is primarily done to help a baby feel warm, secure soothe a crying baby and promote relaxation. This translates to healthy sleep patterns for the baby and encourages growth. This method of wrapping babies is meant to mimic a baby in its mother’s womb. Babies in their mom’s bellies are in a secure and warm environment for nine months and once they are born they may find the open spaces unnerving. Swaddling helps to mimic the security of the womb to help them feel secure and keep them from being unnecessarily irritable.

Once a mother swaddles her baby and holds him/her close in her arms, it helps them feel comfort and warm. This is known to encourage them to grow and be receptive to adapting to their new environment. New born babies have jerk reflexes. They startle easily and once in a while jerk out of the blue. Swaddling them prevents this, which helps them to have uninterrupted sleep.

Aside from jerk reflexes, swaddling can also prevent newborns from waking themselves up with their own moro reflex. An infantile reflex, the moro reflex is present in babies that are 4 to 5 months of age. The reflex acts as a response when the baby feels as if he is suddenly falling and reacts to a sudden feeling of loss of support. The moro reflex has distinct components which include spreading out the arms or abduction, recoiling the arms or adduction, and is usually accompanied by crying.

Swaddling and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

In addition, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is dreaded by many parents and it is documented that babies that are swaddled have lower risks of dying from SIDS. As early as the 1990s, medical studies have recommended that placing babies on their back during sleep can reduce the risk of SIDS. Swaddling helps keep the baby in a supine position during sleep and therefore proves its contribution in lowering the risk of SIDS. Swaddling is being increasingly recommended to parents to help them lower the chance of the baby sleeping in the dangerous stomach sleeping position.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Deciding to Swaddle Your Baby

Learn the technique of swaddling from learned nurses and caregivers before leaving the hospital and performing it on your newborn yourself. Try swaddling your baby at an appropriate time and condition when your baby is well-fed, dry without any sweat and feels comfortable. Be sure that you already know how to perform it correctly. Remember that swaddling too tightly may do more damage than good. Tightly wrapping the legs of your baby straight down may result to loosened joints and damaged hips, which may ultimately lead to hip dysplasia.

In newborns, developmental hip dysplasia is quite common. Other factors that may increase the risk of hip dysplasia include family history, breech delivery, and gender. Girls have higher risks. It is quite fortunate then that modern technology now allows doctors to screen babies at birth for the condition.

In order to prevent hip dysplasia when swaddling your baby, leave enough room at the bottom of the cloth so that your baby has enough space to bend his legs up and down, and in and out from his body. The baby should be able to move his legs freely at the hip. This may be achieved easily by using a large blanket, which can wrap the arms in place while still allowing the legs some space to flex and the hip to properly develop.​

Factors Surrounding the Practice of Swaddling Babies

While swaddling makes babies keep warm, in some cases it has been known to cause babies to overheat. There are debates on whether it also prevents babies from attaining healthy weight gain. Some say the restriction of movement hinders the flexibility of the baby’s limbs, and this may restrict the rate at which they develop mobility skills. Many child experts do not refute that swaddling may have disadvantages, but the common understanding is that the disadvantages of swaddling are attached to improperly swaddling babies.

However, there is a lot of agreement that when children are properly swaddled, they benefit a lot from it. Of utmost importance is the benefit they give to infants and babies in terms of sleep. Swaddled babies are known to sleep better for longer as compared to un-swaddled babies. Sleep is an important ingredient in the growth of babies. Increase in the number of uninterrupted sleep sessions that a baby gets encourages optimum growth.

One thing that is a factor in correctly swaddling a baby is the tightness. You must learn the art of swaddling the baby so that they feel comfort and are not excessively restricted. Of importance is the ability of your baby to access their hands. Babies love to suck their hands because it helps them to self soothe. It’s normal for babies to suck their thumbs when they are upset or want to settle down for a nap. This is due to a reflex known as the Babkin reflex, which is a natural hand to mouth reflex. Therefore, having their hands accessible to their face is important when swaddling.

Swaddling is an important baby care technique, but it requires the right skill to swaddle your baby so that they can benefit from it.

How to Swaddle Your Baby

• Spread the swaddle cloth out flat with a diamond orientation. One corner at the top should be folded over with a depth of about 6 inches in order to form a straight edge.
• Place your baby on his back on the sheet. His neck should be resting against the fold of the sheet so that the top edge of the blanket is at shoulder level.
• Position your baby’s left arm down. Pull on the corner of the blanket that is nearest to his left hand and bring that corner over his arm and chest. The leading edge should be comfortably tucked under his back on the right side of his body.
• Similarly, bring the right arm of your baby down. This time, pull on the corner of the blanket that is nearest to his right hand and bring that corner over his arm and chest. The cloth should be tucked under his back on his left side. By this step, only the head and neck should be exposed. Rolling your baby slightly to get the blanket around him may be helpful.
• Take hold of the bottom part of the blanket and twist or fold it. Tuck this end loosely behind your baby. Be sure to leave enough space for your baby. There should be enough room so that your baby can move his hips and knees freely, bend his legs up and out from his body and spread his legs naturally apart.

Important Reminders When Swaddling Your Baby

• Familiarize yourself with the risks. Incorrect swaddling may increase the risk for hip dysplasia. Tightly swaddled infants may lose their ability to cool their body temperature down and may lead to hyperthermia. Other risks involved with swaddling include increased risk of respiratory infections and delayed recovery from post-natal weight loss.
• Keep your baby in a supine sleeping position and closely monitor him so that you may prevent your baby from rolling over while he is swaddled.
• Be on the lookout for signs that your baby might be feeling too warm. Remove your baby from his swaddle blanket once he starts sweating, breathing rapidly and starts having flushed cheeks and heat rush. Don’t cover your baby’s face with the swaddle cloth to avoid hyperthermia. Regularly check his temperature just to be sure.
• Avoid swaddling your baby while he is awake once he is about a month old. Swaddling can interfere with the development in mobility of your baby. Only swaddle your baby when he is asleep or taking a nap.
• Consider a less restrictive form of covering for sleep once your baby starts learning to roll over. This happens often around 4 to 5 months. While trying to roll over, your baby will need his hands and arms free in order to adjust his head after rolling over.
• Using a blanket that is too small may result to loose and ineffective swaddling. Poorly made swaddles can be kicked off by a baby who is awake. Be sure to properly wrap your baby in a secure and comfortable manner so that the blanket will not come loose and remain wrapped around your baby during sleep.
• There is no predetermined length of time in keeping a baby swaddled. So long as your baby seems comfortable in his swaddle and he has enough leg room to move around his legs and hips, you may keep him in his swaddle.
• It may be for the best if your remove your baby from his swaddle during breastfeeding so that his hands may be free to touch and explore, and make latching on easier.

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Top 5 Best Bath Toys for Your Toddler | 2017 Reviews

The moment you put your once-tiny baby into the bathtub, you know that you’re playing a brand-new ballgame. You’ve lost the ability to hold her with one arm while scrubbing her hair with the other; you can’t even use “mom-style brute force” to hold her in place long enough to clean her feet once she’s in the tub. A toddler has a mind of her own, and you’ll be fighting a losing battle trying to assert your dominance. You’ll need her cooperation in order to get her clean, and the way most people do that is by making bathtime fun – with bath toys.

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Quick Comparison Table

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Water Flutes

Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing

Edushape Cup-O-Fun Water Toy

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Star Crayon

Boon Creatures Interchangeable Bath Toy Cup Set

Old favorites like squeaking rubber duckies and floating Mickey Mouses (Mickey Mice?) may hold your young one’s attention for a little while, but there are many cooler bath toys which will fascinate her long enough to make it through an entire bath peacefully. Some will even help her learn some important skills while you’re getting her clean.

It probably doesn’t need to be said, but we’ll say it anyway: we’re only including completely safe and non-toxic playthings on our list of the top 5 best bath toys for your toddler. Many have won awards from various parents’ or mommy’s organizations and all are intriguing options for your child’s bathtime. There’s one other important thing they all have in common: they’re all inexpensive yet well-made, so you can pick up several of them while not having to examine each one with a magnifying glass to ensure that they’ll be safe to throw into the tub with your most-precious possession.

Before going on our list, check out our comprehensive best bath toys buying guide here.

Here are our choices.

Quick Comparison Table

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Water Flutes	Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing	Edushape Cup-O-Fun Water Toy	ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Star Crayon	Boon Creatures Bath Toy Cup Set
$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
8.8 ounces	12.8 ounces	1 pound	1.8 ounces	10 ounces
Foam, plastic	Plastic, hidden magnets	Plastic, foam	Plastic, crayon	Plastic

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Water Flutes

Lots of bath toys (or toys in general) have a life span that can be measured in hours, or even in minutes; toddlers are notorious for being fascinated by, and then discarding, the toys their parents have spent days picking out for them. The Rub a Dub Water Flutes, however, will “grow” along with your child and keep her interested for many months or years.

The five flutes come arranged in a foam holder, but can also be removed to be played separately. You (or your child) dunk them into the tub to fill them with water, and depending on how much water is in each one, they play different notes when they’re blown. Each flute is designed to hit certain notes if the right amount of liquid is inside, but that’s certainly not a big deal for small toddlers who just love the fact that they’re “making music.” They’re also learning a bit of science, since they’ll discover that the notes produced by the flutes change with the volume of water inside each one.

Once the children are older, however, they’ll be more interested in getting the notes just right so they can play songs. That’s why we say the Rub a Dub flutes are a bath toy which will be around for a while; the set comes with a number of waterproof song sheets which can be stuck to the wall for older children to follow as they play. They won’t just be getting clean and making noise, but if they’re so inclined, they’ll also be starting to learning music – everything from “Mary Had a Little Lamb” to “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

We do have one important note about these flutes. If young toddlers fill the flutes up from the tub and then tip a flute back (in other words, raise one end up into the air), the dirty bath water can run down the flute and into their mouths. Keeping a separate basin of clean water right by the tub can take care of that issue, though, until the children are old enough to hold the instruments the proper way on their own. There’s also a more practical issue; once the flutes get wet and slippery, they can easily slip right out the foam holder and have to be played individually. That doesn’t make them any less fun for toddlers, but it would be nicer if they were held more firmly in place. Incidentally, the manufacturer says this bath toy is for ages 3+, but we’d guess that’s on the advice of their lawyers since toddlers love these flutes.

ALEX is a well-known manufacturer of popular children’s toys, and they obviously know what kids like – these flutes will be a hit in your bathtub. They’ve won awards from iParenting, Parents’ Magazine and NAPPA, too, so we aren’t the only ones who’ve been impressed by them. Just one tip: you may want to allocate a little more than the $10 you’d normally pay for the water flutes, to buy a set of earplugs for yourself.

Details of the ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Water Flutes
Materials	Foam, plastic
Extras	Flute holder, waterproof music sheets
Size	7.5 x 3 x 12 inches
Weight	8.8 ounces

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Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing

Toddlers are always developing all-important hand-eye coordination to some extent. You can help with the process by tossing these three colorful Tolo Toys fish into the bathtub and handing your child the 9-inch long fishing rod she’ll need to catch them.

The rod and fish are made from colorful plastic, with a magnetic (and adorable) worm hanging from the rod as the “bait” used to catch the fish by attaching to the small magnets in their mouths. The large-handled reel on the rod can then be turned by your toddler in order to reel the fish in. The fun starts even before the fishing, however, because as soon as the fish are submerged in the tub they’ll start “blowing” small bubbles. Younger children are delighted by the bubbles, and older ones can’t wait to grab their rod and go fishin’.

There are several developmental benefits connected with a toddler’s use of the toy. As we’ve mentioned, the fishing activity helps them develop and hone their coordination and dexterity. But the bubbling fish are also educational as they help children understand concepts like floating and sinking, and lets them figure out the reason that the fish produce bubbles after being submerged in water. When the novelty finally starts to wear off (and if you have the time to spare), regular fishing contests with your toddler can continue to make bathtime something she really looks forward to, rather than an ordeal. She may even find this toy fun to use outside of the tub, because the magnet on the rod will “catch” other magnetic objects as well.

The Funtime Fishing set is carefully constructed so there are no loose parts and the magnets won’t wear out, and the plastic is BPA-free. You may want to be sure to fully empty the fish after each use, though, because water can get caught inside and could eventually lead to mold growth. The set will cost you about $17.

Details of the Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing
Materials	Plastic, concealed magnets
Size	Rod is 9 inches long, fish vary in size
Weight	12.8 ounces

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Edushape Cup-O-Fun Water Toy

When we first saw this bath toy, we thought it might be too advanced for a young toddler. We were wrong. There are actually several levels of difficulty built into the Cup-O-Fun, and as your child grows older she can “graduate” to newer challenges.

This kit comes with a floating tray which serves as the base of a puzzle, four large floating puzzle pieces which fit together into the base, five floating foam pieces which can fit into the puzzle pieces, and four plastic nesting cups which not only fit into each other, but also into the puzzle in various spots. There are many different permutations of the ways these pieces can be put together, which your toddler will discover as she grows older.

Younger children can simply have fun stacking, filling and emptying the cups or positioning them to float on top of the puzzle base, or sticking the foam pieces to the wall, until they’re ready to start tackling the puzzle. Or they may prefer to have you do the stacking, so they can do the destroying.

All of the pieces are colorful, with cute pictures on them to help make sorting and puzzle-solving easier, and they’re safe while being large enough to not be a choking hazard. It does cost around $25, but the Cup-o-Fun is a versatile and fun toy which won’t be a “one-and-done” addition to your toddler’s bathtub.

Details of the Edushape Cup-O-Fun Water Toy
Materials	Plastic, foam
Size	Tray is 12.5 inches in diameter, other pieces vary in size
Weight	1 pound

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ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Star Crayon

If you couldn’t tell by now, we really love the products made by ALEX Toys. However, this one comes with an important caveat which is why we decided to rank it lower on our list of the top 5 best bath toys for your toddler. Before you proudly hand this beautiful and inexpensive bath crayon to your child, check it on your bathtub by yourself. The markings come off most tubs with just a swipe of a washcloth, but on some older tubs or tile you may find yourself scrubbing like crazy to get rid of the crayon (although a Magic Eraser product often works well for that). Once you’ve determined that you won’t have to spend half-an-hour cleaning up a crayon mess after a bath, give it to your toddler – because she’ll love it.

Many people try tub crayons and then discard them quickly, finding that they break or sink to the bottom of the tub easily. The design of the Star Crayon is the perfect answer. It has six bright colors all smartly sitting around the sixes of a solid plastic star so it’s easy for toddlers to hold and color with, yet it won’t break apart. Kids can color to their hearts’ content on the tub, the bathroom tile or any other non-porous surface, even underwater, and you won’t be constantly taking broken crayons out of the tub or reaching down to find the one your child “lost.”

The ALEX Toys crayon costs less than $6, but you may want to buy a few at one time; they’re fairly small and don’t last for more than a few weeks of regular use. They can be messy, but toddlers find bath crayons a ton of fun and the Star Crayon is the easiest way for them to experience it.

Details of the ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Star Crayon
Materials	Plastic, crayon
Size	5 x 1 x 7 inches
Weight	1.8 ounces

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Boon Creatures Interchangeable Bath Toy Cup Set

This one is for your very young toddler, and she’ll have a ball with it. There are four small cups that serve as the bottoms of the sea creatures (octopus, whale, crab and fish), and four heads that fit on top of them. Each is a different attractive color, and they’re all interchangeable so your child can create different “exotic creatures” with them. Be aware that the tops and bottoms don’t latch together, they only sit atop one another; they’re designed for the fun of making the different combinations and then changing them, and the hand-eye coordination benefits of doing that.

Grown-ups may want the two parts to snap together, but most kids don’t care about that. In fact, you’ll find that young toddlers often have the most fun with the cups themselves, because each one has different sized holes which let the water trickle out at different speeds. The cups and tops are soft and flexible plastic (BPA-free), and can easily be run through the dishwasher to make sure they’re nice and dry to prevent mold growth.

Once your toddler is 1½ or so, chances are good that the Boon Creatures will have worn out their welcome. But for only ten bucks or so, they’re an octopus, crab, fish and whale of a good time before she reaches that age.

Details of the Boon Creatures Interchangeable Bath Toy Cup Set
Materials	Plastic
Size	Each assembled toy is 4 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches
Weight	10 ounces

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The Ins and Outs of the Bowen Technique Therapy

The Ins and Outs of the Bowen Technique Therapy

Developed by the Australian Tom Bowen in the 50’s, the Bowen Technique has since then gained popularity after a number of success stories from thousands of patients. The distinctive feature of the Bowen Techniques is its gentle non-invasive nature and the breaks integrated within each session. The technique essentially works by stimulating the human body to heal itself.

The body is a complex system that works and functions as a whole. It is natural for an imbalance in one system to cause an effect elsewhere. The Bowen Technique is holistic and dynamic, and often has an impact on a number of symptoms that a person may be suffering from.

What is the Bowen Move?

The Bowen move consists of gentle rolling-type moves done by the thumb and forefingers over a number of specific locations or parts of the body that may be suffering from disturbances, blockage, stress, injury or postural changes. The soft tissues of the targeted areas are stimulated in a specific way and the nerve pathways are triggered to send a message to the brain, which will then instruct the body to activate its healing processes.

How does the Bowen Technique work?

The Bowen Treatment works by unleashing the body’s innate ability to heal itself, which may have been thwarted due to a long-standing injury or due to an imbalance in the body’s homeostasis. Although it will take some time, the body heals itself, and when it does, it does so permanently, leaving the patient free of any discomfort. Because the Bowen move is gentle and is not painful, the defense mechanism of the body will not be activated, instead the body is stimulated to look for an appropriate response. Signals are then sent out by the nervous system to the different parts of the body, in an effort to look for a proper response. As a result of the signals being sent out, the blood flow to the different parts of the body increases. Increased blood flow to the different parts of the body serves to correct any imbalances, as if the body has undergone a reset.

In the course of one session, a series of Bowen moves are made over a location of interest on the body’s surface. After the small number of Bowen moves, the therapist leaves the room to allow the patient to rest and to give the body the time to process the signal it has been sent. These breaks in between moves are a distinctive part of the Bowen treatment. The breaks give the nervous system of the body to respond with the correct action. Also, while in the process of looking for the proper response, other information from the other parts may be gathered by the body. Thus, it is common for areas not specifically being targeted by the treatment to respond as well.

Bowen patients may be treated lying down on a bed or a massage table. The bowen procedure may be even performed on patients who are not capable of lying down, pregnant women for instance, by having the patients sit in a chair. The procedure is usually done with the patient fully clothed, though some therapist prefer performing the Bowen moves directly on the skin.

Bowen patients may be treated lying down on a bed or a massage table. The bowen procedure may be even performed on patients who are not capable of lying down, pregnant women for instance, by having the patients sit in a chair. The procedure is usually done with the patient fully clothed, though some therapist prefer performing the Bowen moves directly on the skin.

Each treatment renders the body of the patient to be deeply relaxed due to the different areas of the body releasing unwanted stress and unnecessary tension. This deep relaxation will leave the patient feeling re-energized with an improved sense well-being, free from pain and discomfort.

There will be a minimum of 3 sessions with most patients. These sessions are usually 5 to 10 days apart. Bowen patients are advised to undergo maintenance treatments every 6 to 8 weeks or as necessary in order to maintain their most favorable health.​

Who can undergo the Bowen Technique?

The Bowen Technique is a gentle and non-invasive treatment that can be of essential use for the lives of everyone, from newborn babies to the elder people. It resets the body and sets it up to heal itself - an ability that is common to everyone. Bowen treatment can improve and shorten the rehabilitation time of an injury, no matter how recent or how old the injury might be. Patients presenting with chronic pain and symptoms can undergo the Bowen treatment and experience relief as well.

What can the Bowen Technique help with?

• Back pain and pelvic pain
• Frozen shoulders
• Sports injury
• Repetitive stress injury (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Headaches
• Fibromyalgia
• Heartburn
• Kidney and bladder disorders including incontinence
• Knee and hip restrictions
• Menstrual disorders
• Sciatic pain
• Skeletal and muscular problems
• Stress and fatigue
• Chronic pain

Bowen treatment excels at relieving back pain and a number of other discomforts that may be related to the spine being under pressure. Patients presenting with back pains often undergo an average of three treatment sessions. The length and the number of sessions required of the Bowen Technique, however, will still depend on the patient’s response to the techniques as well as on the skill and experience level of the therapist.

Bowen treatment can also aid in the relief of allergies and hay fever by addressing the many problems that are associated with the type of allergic reactions. For instance, there may be an existing digestive system disorder that needs to be addressed in order to relieve the hay fever or allergy symptoms. When a person ingests a substance or is exposed to food that the body does not recognize nor tolerate, an allergic reaction will occur and will trigger the immune system. The immune response includes watery eyes, itching, rashes, sneezing and runny nose. Intolerance, on the other hand, occurs when a person gets exposed to a certain amount of the disagreeable substances or food. This exposure may be too much for the body to handle resulting to a tip in the body’s balance. Stress levels and fatigue greatly affect intolerance. When a person is very busy and experiencing pressure, their tolerance levels will be decreased. Tolerance levels are high with people who are relaxed and balanced. The respiratory system may be affected as well, which may be causing the presenting symptoms. The Bowen Technique also has procedures to address this area.​

Patients suffering from asthma and other similar respiratory disorders also respond positively with Bowen treatment. Asthma in children and adults can be treated by the technique. The Bowen Technique can relieve symptoms of asthma by relaxing the diaphragm area or the soft stomach area. Under normal conditions, the diaphragm will contract during inhalation of air and will relax during exhalation. During an asthma attack, the diaphragm will go into spasm and will remain partly contracted. The constant contraction of the diaphragm will lead to a shortness of breath since the asthmatic patient will increasingly breathe in while having less capacity to breathe out. The Bowen moves for addressing symptoms of asthma involve stimulation of the diaphragm to encourage it to relax from its spasm. The relaxation of the diaphragm will then release air from the lungs. This can also work in an event of a full asthma attack. Patients show immediate and long-lasting effects after only a few sessions.

The Bowen Technique is becoming the remedial therapy for sports related injuries. Athletes who undergo regular Bowen treatment present with fewer injuries. Additionally, regular bowen athletes report an increase in their performance in their respective sports activities.

Bowen treatment regulates the menstrual cycle in women and enhances fertility in both men and women. It brings the nervous system to a state of balance and releases blockages that are preventing the body from functioning optimally.​

Bowen Therapy for Pregnant

In pregnant women, Bowen treatment can help the body adapt to its fast-changing state by constantly bringing the body back to an equilibrium. It can help with mood changes due to hormonal changes, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, and morning sickness. As mentioned, the Bowen treatment can relieve lower back pain and other presenting problems related to pressure on the spine. It is very helpful in managing swollen legs and ankles, cramps, heartburn, gastric discomfort and reflux.

Bowen treatment can also aid in the baby’s optimal positioning prior to delivery. During labour, the Bowen technique can relax the pelvic muscles and supporting ligaments and therefore allow the baby to be delivered more easily, with the baby’s head being able to move more deeply into the birth canal.

It increases the mother’s ability to keep focus and relax during labor, thus allowing for a more comfortable delivery. Furthermore, the Bowen treatment also plays a role in postpartum care and healing. With its gentle and non-invasive nature, Bowen moves may be immediately performed after childbirth to trigger the body’s natural ability to heal itself. The pelvis and the uterus are returned and reset to their normal position while the body regains its strength. Bowen treatment promotes lactation in mothers and aids in managing pains that may be experienced during breast-feeding.

Bowen Therapy for Babies

Bowen therapy for babies relieve discomforts brought about by a strenuous childbirth and the baby’s failure to quickly adjust to its new environment. Treatment is possible even with newborns since the Bowen Technique is gentle and non-invasive. Baby Bowen can help with colic, indigestion, reflux, hiccups, chest infections, slow bowel movement, asthma, overloaded nervous system, muscles tension in the neck and restlessness. 

Dr Carolyn Goh, who has her practice in Violet Hill, St John's Wood suggests reading this Baby Bowen Guide ​. The guide is fairly comprehensive and aims to cover topics on colic baby and remediations through reference and video material

Can medication be reduced or even completely be done away with?

It is possible to reduce medication and even go off it entirely with the Bowen treatment. Most patients show positive long-lasting effects after starting with the Bowen treatment. Medication is slowly reduced until the patient is completely taken of it. An important thing to keep in mind is that reduction of medication should always be done under the supervision and the the advice of a licensed medical practitioner.

What does it mean when the patient is still in pain after treatment?

The Bowen Technique has no definite reaction time. The response of the body will vary between patients, depending on their presenting symptoms and depending on their body’s healing ability. Each body will heal at its own pace. The good news is that it will do so permanently. When patients report a feeling of stiffening around the area of concern, this means that healing is actually taking place.

What does it mean when the pain returns?

The pain returning could mean that the body has experienced re-injury. Regular treatment with a therapist should be continued in order to identify what is causing the injury to recur over and over. The most common cause for recurring injuries is actually bad posture. Many patients, however, are able to successfully overcome these recurring pains by engaging in supportive exercises that correct bad posture. Supportive exercises may include yoga and pilates.

What is the difference of the Bowen Technique from the other therapies and massage?

The Bowen Technique is gentle and non-invasive. It is not a massage and does not involve deep tissue manipulation. It involves the stimulation of the soft tissues. It is a very gentle procedure that does not force the body to change in any way. It does not involve pulling and tugging from a therapist. The Bowen Technique works by administering very gentle rolling-type moves at very specific points in the body. The Bowen moves stimulates the body to look for a proper response in order to correct any imbalances and to restore its homeostasis. The effects of the Bowen Technique are long-lasting and permanent since there are no external manipulations and the body is carrying out the healing process itself.

Are the responses all the same?

Response to the treatment will vary between patients and will depend on their presenting symptoms. Not all reactions are the same, and not all reactions occur in the same timeline. Patients have different experiences during Bowen sessions. Most patients report feeling warm and deeply relaxed. On some occasions, patients have reported twitching sensations and a few have experienced a popping sensation in their ears. Another common reaction to the treatment is a rumbling stomach, which is actually a sign that the parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated. Other reactions include soreness, stiffness, headaches, increased dream activity and flu-like symptoms.

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