Judith Johnson
Every Body’s Betterwith Emmett & Bowen Techniques
Hello - My name is Judith Johnson and I set up Every Body's Better in early 2009 to share the wonderful techniques developed by exceptional Australian therapists Ross Emmett and Tom Bowen with the people of Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Cowbridge and the wider South Wales area.
About Me
I am an experienced health and social care worker having previously worked in Health and Social Services, as well as in Higher Education, for over 25 years.
I have worked in a number of health specialities including orthopaedics, neurology, mental health and cardiac rehabilitation [stress management] as well as in general medicine and surgery. Social services positions took me into the homes of physically disabled adults and children, providing advice on adapting properties and the provision of specialist equipment to increase independence.
I was also fortunate to enjoy 8 years working as a lecturer in the London Hospital Medical College in Whitechapel; continuing my own education by gaining a Post Graduate Diploma in Design Research for Disability at the London Metropolitan University and then gaining a Master's Degree in Higher and Professional Education at the Institute of Education, University of London.
Exploring Complementary Therapies
Having experienced sciatica and upper back pain following what seemed to be a simple injury many years previously, I began searching for pain relief beyond that offered by conventional medicine. Osteopathy offered the first relief from sciatica but it was when I began to learn Tai Chi with an inspirational local teacher that the pain started to ease on a longer term basis.
This started me on a path of exploring other therapies and their ability to provide lasting pain relief. It also made me appreciate that the relief gained through therapeutic bodywork should also be maintained by appropriate and regular exercise.
When considering learning some of these techniques I was influenced by a local vet who had recently learnt the Bowen Technique. He was so enthusiastic with the results he was achieving with horses and other small animals that he encouraged me to go ahead with training to help their human owners. My thought was that animals cannot imagine that they are getting better -treatment either works or it doesn't. This sounded just the right thing for me, in my search for a hands-on therapy that would help with easing pain and discomfort as well as relaxing the mind and body.
Training in Bowen Technique
Training with BowTech in London, I qualified as a practitioner in 2004. Since then I have taken continuing professional development courses with senior BowTech teachers from the UK and Australia:
· Bowen in Sports Injury Rehabilitation andPrevention
· Bowen for Mother & Babies
· Bowen for people with Stroke and ChronicFatigue
· Mind Body Bowen - for helping clients with the psychological symptoms often encountered
alongside physical disabilities
Training in the Emmett Technique
In 2007, following internet conversations with other complementary practitioners in Australia & New Zealand, I learnt of the existence of the Emmett Technique and its ability to work alongside the Bowen Technique that I was already using.
Ross Emmett came to London to teach the first Emmett Practitioner course and I was the first Welsh therapist to achieve practitioner status in 2008 and full practitioner status in 2009. The technique is constantly being developed with new procedures added to help ease pain and discomfort and, once these new procedures have been thoroughly tested by experienced therapists, Ross Emmett includes them in his international teaching programmes so that we may all benefit.
Other training
I am trained in First Aid for the workplace and have qualifications and experience in Human Anatomy & Physiology.
Insurance and registration
I am on the practitioner register for the Emmett Technique and will continue to study regularly with the originator of this technique, Ross Emmett, and his European tutors to review and develop my skills. See http://www.emmett-technique.co.uk
What can I expect from a treatment?
Both Emmett & Bowen techniques utilise finger tip touch, with the therapist performing a number of gentle ‘moves’, switches or holding points on the muscles or tendons to encourage muscle release and in that way ease pain and discomfort.
There is no manipulation or massage involved and one of the important aspects of the treatment session is that the therapist will give the client several breaks between ‘moves’ to allow the body to start the re-balancing process. However, everybody has different needs and an individualised programme will be established; often combining both techniques to create the best outcome.
It is usually a quiet, restful session, allowing body and mind to relax.
Light clothing should be worn, such as tee-shirt / shorts or thin trousers. [Please do not wear tight clothing or jeans as these are almost impossible to work through]
Treatment can be carried out in a seated position, in standing or on a treatment couch, depending on the treatment needs.
Medical history will be discussed along with your expectations for treatment.
The first visit will be for assessment and initial balancing of the body and is likely to last around 75 minutes, with follow-up visits lasting around 60 minutes.
Treatment for young children can often only take 30 – 40 minutes, depending on the needs of the child. Very young babies are usually treated in approximately 20 minutes.
I am happy to work in English or Welsh – whichever is most comfortable for you.
The intention of these light touch therapies is to encourage the body and mind to participate in its own return to a healthy state.
Bowen & Emmett Techniques may be considered for:
Upper and lower back pain and neck pain or restriction
Upper limb problems: shoulder, elbow, wrist & grip problems
Headaches;
Sports injuries
Quadriceps & Hamstring injury or stiffness; Knee, foot & ankle problems
Fatigue problems
Respiratory difficulties
Digestion problems
Stress incontinence
During Pregnancy and after giving birth
Suitable for Babies and Children
& ..…. simply for reducing tension and increasing relaxation
Case examples
6 week old baby - Colic
One short session of Bowen Therapy reduced discomfort and improved feeding.
58 year old woman - Painful feet
Two sessions of Bowen / Emmett allowed this client to play with her grandchildren and go walking on the coastal path with her husband again after weeks of misery and pain.
Professional dog handler – Low Back pain / Sciatica
Three sessions of Bowen Therapy allowed this client to groom his dogs again without pain and continue to show them at major events.
Call Centre worker - stiff neck
One 10 minute session of Emmett reduced the muscle spasm and allowed the call centre worker to complete the day without pain or restriction.
Costs for Therapy for Adults
Per session : £40 initial assessment and treatment [75 mins]
£35 follow-up treatment [60 mins]
more information is available on Every Body’s Better website
and also for reduced treatment costs for children & babies
Easy Muscle Management [Emm-Tech] Courses
Short courses for therapists and non-therapists - be amongst the first in South Wales to learn and use a selection of the Emmett Technique procedures to help family, friends and clients.
For individual discussion about treatment or courses please contact Judith:
Telephone:07932 347 983
For more information please go to my own website at:
