Applied Myoskeletal Therapy

Applied Myoskeletal Therapy is a gentle and effective therapy for the treatment of Musculoskeletal and Neural pain. Leading the way in modern, natural, pain and injury relief and prevention.

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Bowen Therapy

Bowen Therapy is an Australian healing modality now practiced and taught throughout the world. It is suitable for all ages from the new born to the elderly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Bowen therapy?

A. Bowen Therapy: Is a gentle & effective treatment for a wide range of muscular & joint problems. This is a very relaxing non oil technique using holding points & rolls across muscles & tendons to return the body to its natural balance, resulting in pain relief, improved bodily function & enhanced health & wellbeing. Developed by world famous Australian bodyworker, Thomas A. Bowen. Mr Bowen passed away in 1982. John has the highest international qualifications in Bowen Therapy and has also been fortunate to have received training from two of Tom Bowen’s original students, Dr Kevin Ryan D.O. and Oswald Rentsch D.O.

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Q. I am not familiar with Applied Myoskeletal Therapy. What does the term Soft -Tissue mean?

A. Soft -Tissue is our Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments & Fascia (connective tissue). Applied Myoskeletal Therapy as practiced by Remedial Therapist John Garfield was born out of the need to find a more “complete” therapy that addresses our bodily systems, all of which are capable of instigating pain we usually interpret as only muscular or skeletal. It has strong foundations in many of the proven therapies , including Bowen Therapy, Remedial Therapies, Soft-Tissue Therapy, along with modalities of osteopathic origin, being Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Muscle Energy Technique and Strain Counterstrain. The inclusion of the above listed modalities offers much more scope for a successful outcome. This holistic approach has helped many people where other methods have failed, and when coupled with John’s unique and simplistic Muscle Re-education Program, goes a long way in lessening the likelihood of the symptoms returning. It represents over a decade of study & clinical practice.

Q. What conditions do you treat?

A. Most commonly muscle, tendon, ligament, skeletal and nerve related problems. Including jaw (TMJ) problems, Vertigo, Migraines & headaches, back & neck pain, pelvic pain and extremities injuries.

Q. Are you a Nationally Registered Professional Health Carer?

A. Yes. Nationally Recognized Diploma of Bowen Therapy (Border College of Natural Therapies) Accredited provider with many health funds including Medibank Private and MBF. Member # 6923 Bowen Association Australia/ Member # 2580 Association of Remedial Masseurs.

Q. What are your qualifications?

A. My qualifications include:
Diploma Bowen Therapy - (Government nationally recognized)
Cert IV. Remedial Therapies - (Sports, Soft Tissue, Deep tissue)
Cranio Sacral Therapy - 1 & 2 Upledger Institute
Visceral Manipulation 1 & 2 - Barral institute
Muscle Energy/ Strain Counterstrain - Manual Therapy Institute
Over a decade of full time clinical experience.

Q. How long is a treatment?

A. Initial treatment is approximately 45 to 60 mins which includes a musculoskeletal assessment and a report of findings. Follow ups usually 30 to 45 mins. Treatments are quality not quantity based and longer treatments are counterproductive.

Q. Do I need to disrobe?

A. The treatment can be performed through loose clothing. If partial disrobing is required you will be draped appropriately.

Q. Does it hurt?

A. No! Light to medium pressure is used. Some specific conditions/ areas may be tender and we always work within your tolerance of pain. You are in charge!

Q. Doesn’t it have to be hard & painful for anything to work?

A. This is a fallacy, unfortunately there are still some who believe “no pain – no gain”. A good adage is to compare the nervous system to electrical wiring and the muscle to a light bulb. You just flick a switch and on comes the light. All the intricate electrical circuits are correctly in place, no need to hit it with a sledge hammer! Our body is even more sophisticated and once you learn where the “switches” are, force is not required, and is actually less effective.

Q. Do you ever do massage?

A. Bowen Therapy – No. Applied Myoskeletal Therapy. On rare occasions massage may be administered and only on a specific area of concern. My goal is to give you the best result I can.

Q. Please briefly explain a session.

A. After a thorough physical assessment you will be lying on a massage table and will feel very relaxed as the therapist performs moves over muscles and tendons allowing the tissues to return to their normal resting length. It gives one of the deepest forms of relaxation to the body which aids in correcting pain and injury. To maximize your result the treatment has intermittent rest periods where you are left to rest for 30 seconds to up to 5 minutes before continuing on with the next sequence of moves. This pattern is carried out throughout the treatment.

Q. Can I claim from my health fund?

A. Yes if your health fund policy allows you to claim on Remedial Massage or Bowen Therapy. You will be issued with a receipt with a provider number to submit to your fund.

Q. Do you treat only the symptoms or get to the real cause of the problem?

A. We pride ourselves in helping difficult cases. To do this we must get to the cause of the problem.

Q. Once my injury is resolved do you recommend a maintenance program?

A. Yes, but this is up to you. Some like to come monthly. Regular maintenance minimises the reoccurrence of injuries and helps the body perform at its optimum.

Q. Do you prescribe exercises?

A. Yes, dependant on my findings you may be given very specific daily “Muscle Re-education Exercises” to reprogram your muscles. This helps the body accept it’s new, improved alignment and lessens reoccurrences.