Frequently Asked Questions
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What Do You Actually Do?
I work with physical trauma (breaks, scars, torn muscles, tendon damage, burns, sprains etc) where there is clear physical damage and neuro-muscular dysfunction where there is no clear physical damage, but there is still pain and restriction. Physical trauma to the body is like a hardware issue on a machine. These are issues were you normally know exactly what happened (e.g C section, broken nose, knee replacement, whiplash, scoliosis, broken wrist, cranial trauma) or at least when it happened, even if you can no longer remember details of what happened (which is very common in car crashes etc). I use Sharon Wheeler’s Fascial Work in these cases. Neuro muscular dysfunction in a body is like a software or wiring problem on a machine. This occurs when the body’s signalling (nervous system) is compromised and muscles react causing physical pain or impaired function. I use Bowen Technique to work with a wide range of conditions which are not caused by local physical trauma, including muscular-skeletal pain eg neck, shoulder and back pain, plantar fasciitis, and other issues such as migraines, digestive issues and stress related conditions. 
A slightly blurry James Palmer with Sharon Wheeler (left) and Jannie Cnossen (right)
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A very blurry James Palmer with Romney Smeeton
Does it Hurt?
Sharon Wheeler's Fascial Work should be painless. There may be some brief discomfort with the Bowen work . I will never “crack” your neck or back, or do any speed adjustments – the goal is to free up the natural movement of your bones by releasing the unnecessary tension in your fascial system (both deep and superficial). There can often be some immediate improvement, but the full effects take several days, or even weeks, to show up. |
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How Many Sessions Will I need?
Lasting physical change does not normally happen all at once: it is the accumulation of many small changes (and a few big ones). We normally start with an hour long session to assess the situation, start treatment and come up with a plan. Physical trauma may need just a couple of normal sessions if it’s minor or very localised, or a series of long ones, if it’s serious or has affected your whole body. Typically, structural work for physical trauma doesn’t need maintenance once it's complete, though it can benefit from a follow up session some months later. If you are only visiting London it is almost always fine to have single sessions of ScarWork or BoneWork, though be aware that most issues will not be resolved like that and you’re better off doing a longer session. It is quite realistic to leave larger gaps between sessions if you are only in London a few times a year. Neuromuscular issues normally takes from a few weeks up to several months depending on the severity and complexity of the issues. You will need weekly treatment to begin with, though normally after about 5 sessions that becomes less frequent – every 2, then every 4 weeks. It is a good idea to come for maintenance treatments if your lifestyle puts a strain on your body, you have chronic conditions (eg scoliosis) or you just enjoy feeling good. |
Before Bowen: the difference in leg length and the twist on the left foot caused by muscular tension in the body indicates that there's something very wrong somewhere. The problem could be anywhere from the calf to the skull.
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What Do I Wear?
I work on the skin for Scar Integration work (ScarWork and BoneWork), for Bowen I work through clothes. I do need to work directly on the scar (i.e. on the skin) for the scar work to be effective, but this is often possible while still mostly clothed if you plan what to wear. Can I Bring Someone with Me? Of course. You are welcome to bring a chaperone if that would make you feel more comfortable. If we are in the midst of a Covid flare up we’ll have to talk about logistics in order to keep risk as low as possible. In the therapeutic pauses the chaperone will need to leave the room at the same time as me so that you can have a proper response break. Chatting (or texting!) makes my leaving pointless. |
15 minutes later, the balance in the leg length indicates a shift in the system. Notice how the left foot is also less twisted. The body now needs time to integrate this change. Sometimes this general structural shift will be enough to deal with your pain, other times the symptoms need direct treatment too.
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