Bowen Therapy with Mariana Banu in Surrey

15/08/2025

There are aches in your body that no scan can explain. Mornings when you wake already tired. A jaw that never unclenches, a stomach that turns against you, skin that changes overnight. You call them symptoms. Your body calls them memories.

Because the truth is, trauma does not stay in the past. It leaves fingerprints on your muscles, your hormones, your sleep, your appetite. It lives in the way you breathe without noticing, in the way you hold your shoulders, in the cravings you cannot reason with. Sometimes it hides quietly. Sometimes it surges back with a smell, a sound, a look that takes you somewhere you thought you’d left behind.

This is not weakness. It is the brilliance of a body that learned how to keep you alive. The problem is that it has never been told the danger is over. And until it hears that message, it will keep repeating the same patterns, not to harm you, but to protect you.

When the body has been through trauma, it doesn’t keep it as a neatly filed memory in the mind. It holds it in tissues, muscles, nerves, hormones, and even in the rhythm of your heartbeat. It is not a conscious choice. It is survival. The body remembers what the mind may try to forget, and that memory shows up in ways that feel physical, emotional, and sometimes hard to explain.

You might notice moments when you feel disconnected, as if life is happening behind a pane of glass. Dissociation becomes a shield, keeping you from feeling too much all at once. It allows you to keep functioning, but it also robs you of the ability to fully live in your body and your present moment.

Sometimes the memory comes back without warning. A sound, a smell, a certain light in the room and suddenly you are there again, in a moment you thought you’d left behind. Flashbacks grip the body just as much as the mind, and headaches or migraines can follow as the nervous system surges with old signals of danger.

The muscles don’t lie. They carry tension that never quite dissolves, shoulders that refuse to drop, a jaw that holds more force than you realise. The body stays ready for impact, even in stillness. This constant bracing can lead to chronic pain that drifts from one place to another, with no clear injury to explain it.

The gut is often the first place to feel it. Trauma disturbs the delicate conversation between the brain and the digestive system, slowing or speeding up the process, creating cramps, bloating, or unpredictable bowel movements. Even the ability to absorb nutrients can be affected, leaving the body undernourished no matter what you eat.

At night, when the world is quiet, the body may still be running from something that is no longer there. You wake in damp sheets, heart pounding, not because of the heat in the room, but because the nervous system has not stopped scanning for threats. Rest becomes a negotiation instead of a given.

Weight can rise or fall without clear reason. Hormones shift in response to the constant drip of cortisol and adrenaline, pulling appetite and metabolism into survival mode. For some, food becomes a comfort that softens the edges. For others, eating feels impossible when the stomach is tied in knots.

Cravings can appear as if from nowhere. The body reaches for sugar, fat, or salt in an instinctive search for quick relief. Nausea can do the opposite, making even the thought of food a challenge. The relationship with nourishment becomes another place where trauma speaks.

The immune system does not escape this story. Too much cortisol for too long can weaken its response, leaving you more open to infections, slower to heal, and sometimes even turning against your own tissues in autoimmune flare-ups.

And then there is the skin, the part of you the world sees first. It can mirror what is happening inside: dryness that no cream seems to fix, sudden eczema, unexplained rashes, acne that flares under stress, or hair that thins without warning. The skin tells the truth of what the deeper layers are holding.

These are not separate problems to be fixed one by one. They are threads in the same tapestry, woven from a time when you were not safe, a time your body has not yet been convinced is over. It remembers so that you can survive. The work now is to help it learn that it can finally rest.

This is where Bowen Therapy changes the conversation between you and your body. It is not about forcing muscles to release or overriding symptoms. It is about sending precise, gentle signals through the fascia and nervous system that tell the body it is safe to shift. In a session, the work is so light you might wonder how it could make a difference, yet the nervous system listens deeply. Patterns of tension begin to soften, circulation improves, and digestion, sleep, and mood can all start to rebalance without strain.

For trauma held in the body, this matters. The small, intentional moves give the brain and body space to reset, moving out of fight-or-flight and into repair. Each session builds on the last, layering safety into the tissues until the body no longer needs to hold the old protective patterns. It is not about erasing the past but teaching the body how to live in the present without bracing for the next impact.

When the body feels safe, symptoms stop being alarms. They become signals that can be responded to with balance instead of fear. Bowen Therapy is one of the most direct, non-invasive ways to help the body remember that it can finally rest.

15/08/2025

Is your tongue trying to tell you something about your health?

Sometimes the smallest changes in our body hold the biggest clues. Maybe you’ve noticed your tongue drifting slightly to one side when you speak or swallow. Perhaps words don’t come out as clearly as before, or moving food around in your mouth feels different. It’s easy to dismiss these things, but they can be signs of something deeper.

One of the quiet players behind all of this is the hypoglossal nerve, cranial nerve number twelve. Its only job is movement — it doesn’t bring sensation or taste, but it controls almost every muscle that moves the tongue. Without it, speech becomes unclear, chewing less efficient, and swallowing more effortful.

This nerve can be affected in many ways: an injury to the brainstem after a stroke, trauma to the neck or head, surgery near the carotid artery or thyroid, growths at the base of the skull, or even pressure from swollen lymph nodes or cervical spine issues. When it’s injured, the changes are subtle at first — the tongue may drift toward the affected side, the muscles on that side may weaken or shrink, words might lose their clarity, and the simple act of swallowing may require more focus.

These shifts don’t just stay in the mouth. The tongue is connected through muscle chains to the jaw, neck, and shoulders. When its movement changes, tension can build elsewhere, influencing posture and comfort in ways we don’t always expect.

This is where Bowen therapy can offer something unique. Gentle, precise moves in the neck and jaw area can help release tension and improve nerve communication in the pathways linked to tongue movement. It’s not about forcing the body, but inviting it to remember how to work in harmony again.

If this feels familiar, maybe it’s time to explore how targeted, non-invasive work can restore comfort and function to this subtle but vital system.

29/07/2025

15 Fascinating Facts About Your Lymphatic System

The Silent Healer Working Behind the Scenes

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

It’s a Second Circulatory System

Your lymphatic system runs parallel to your blood circulation, but instead of carrying blood, it carries lymph fluid—a clear liquid full of immune cells, proteins, and waste products.
It’s your body’s internal cleanup crew!

You Have Between 500–700 Lymph Nodes

These small, bean-shaped filters are scattered throughout your body. They trap pathogens, toxins, and abnormal cells before they reach vital organs.

The Lymph System Has No Pump

Unlike your heart, the lymphatic system relies on muscle contractions, breathing, and movement to circulate lymph.
That’s why exercise, rebounding, and lymph drainage therapy are so important!

It’s a Major Part of Your Immune System

Your lymphatic system houses immune cells like lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells that protect you from viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells.

Lymph Fluid Only Flows in One Direction

It moves upward toward the neck, where it drains into the subclavian veins, returning clean fluid to your bloodstream.

Your Gut Is a Lymphatic Powerhouse

Around 70% of your immune system lives in your gut, specifically in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), showing the tight connection between digestion and immunity.

Lymph Carries Fats and Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Through a part of the system called lacteals in your small intestine, it absorbs and transports vitamins A, D, E, and K, along with dietary fats.

The Spleen and Thymus Are Lymphatic Organs

Your spleen filters blood and stores immune cells, while your thymus is where T-cells mature. Both are essential lymphatic allies.

Lymphatic Stagnation Leads to Inflammation

When lymph can’t drain properly, inflammation, swelling, fatigue, and immune issues often follow.
This is why manual drainage and detox protocols matter.

The Brain Has a “Glymphatic System”

At night, your brain clears out waste through a glial-lymphatic network. Poor sleep = poor brain detox!

Lymph Is Highly Sensitive to Stress

Chronic stress reduces lymph flow, suppresses immune function, and leads to stagnation. Gentle breathwork and massage can reactivate flow.

Your Tonsils Are Lymph Tissues

These are your first line of immune defense, filtering pathogens from air and food—part of your mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT).

Lymphatic Flow Impacts Hormone Balance

Hormones like estrogen are broken down in the liver and drained through lymph. A sluggish lymph system may worsen PMS, PCOS, and menopausal symptoms.

Lymphedema Is a Lymphatic Disorder

This chronic condition causes swelling when lymph fluid builds up due to blockages or removal of lymph nodes (e.g. post-mastectomy).

Lymphatic Drainage Can Enhance Healing

Studies show that Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) improves post-surgical recovery, immune resilience, detox capacity, and emotional well-being.
📖 [Reference: Leduc & Leduc, “The Efficacy of Manual Lymph Drainage,” Int J Ther Massage Bodywork, 2013]

Final Thoughts

The lymphatic system is often the most underappreciated system in the human body,yet it’s at the core of how you heal, fight disease, and detox.
When you support it, you support your whole self—mind, body, and spirit.

Let it flow. Let it heal.

13/07/2025

A gene deletion in chromosome 1 means that a small or large segment of DNA—containing one or more genes—has been completely removed or is missing from chromosome 1, which is the largest of the 23 human chromosomes.

Let’s break it down simply:

What is a gene deletion?
• A deletion means a section of genetic material is missing.
• That section could contain one or more genes—instructions the body uses to build proteins and regulate development.

What is chromosome 1?
• Chromosome 1 is the largest human chromosome, holding over 2,000 genes.
• It plays a vital role in brain development, growth, immune function, and organ formation.

What does a deletion in chromosome 1 mean?

It depends where on chromosome 1 the deletion is. Each chromosome has two arms:
• the short arm (called p)
• the long arm (called q)

For example:
– A deletion at 1p36 means part of the short arm is missing, and can cause a well-known condition called 1p36 deletion syndrome (developmental delay, hypotonia, possible seizures)
– A deletion at 1q21.1 is linked with learning differences, coordination issues, sometimes autism or congenital anomalies

How does it affect someone?

The effects depend on:
• Which genes are missing
• How large the deletion is
• Whether it’s inherited or de novo (new in the child)

Common signs can include:
• Developmental delay (motor, speech, cognition)
• Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
• Learning difficulties
• Seizures (in some types)
• Distinct facial features (in some syndromes)
• Heart, vision, or skeletal anomalies (depending on genes involved)

But every child is unique. Some are mildly affected, others more significantly.

Important to know:
• A gene deletion is not caused by something the parent did or didn’t do.
• Most deletions happen spontaneously during egg or s***m formation.
• A child with a deletion may still live a full and meaningful life—with tailored support.
• Therapies like Bowen, OT, speech therapy, and sensory integration can help regulate the nervous system and support function.

06/07/2025

CASE: Persistent Knee Swelling & Stress Fracture Recovery in a Physically Active 54-Year-Old Client

Jane 54, first came to me three months ago with sudden, intense swelling and inflammation in her right knee. No direct trauma, but years of physically demanding cleaning work had clearly taken a toll. Pain increased with activity—particularly walking and vacuuming—but eased when seated. Her knee was visibly swollen and hot to the touch.

From the start, the case presented clearly: left-sided dural drag, clean screening, no switching. Coccyx imbalance stood out immediately, and I addressed it consistently week by week, alongside a modified version of the Knee Procedure. (I say ‘lazy’ only because the gastrocs felt surprisingly normal throughout.)

Progress was steady but nonlinear. Jane had no choice but to keep working—she’s self-employed with no staff—which complicated recovery. Still, her system kept responding, even when symptoms fluctuated.

Given the severity of her pain and persistent swelling, we arranged an MRI, which revealed:

– a stress fracture of the medial tibial plateau
– a medial meniscus tear
– cartilage thinning
– low-grade MCL strain

In short: chronic overload, degenerative change, and too much pressure on a vulnerable joint.

Despite the scan, Jane chose to continue weekly Bowen treatments. Surgery wasn’t recommended. Rest was—but wasn’t an option for her.

And yet, her body still found a way forward.

Four weeks ago, she walked in with visible improvement: less swelling, cooler joint, significantly reduced pain. For the first time, her body presented with full symmetry. Since then, she’s continued progressing—with no pain, no swelling, and full capacity to work.

The last two sessions: perfect symmetry.

This is what I love about Bowen. The body wants to heal. Our role is to listen, adjust, and create space for that to happen—even when circumstances aren’t ideal.

03/07/2025

Why chiropractic adjustments can be damaging over time, and why Bowen Therapy offers a deeper, safer alternative, lies in how each method interacts with the body’s systems – not just the spine.

Chiropractic care focuses on force. A joint is moved abruptly to “correct” alignment. But alignment is not a static position – it’s a dynamic relationship between fascia, muscles, nervous system and fluids. When you manipulate a joint without addressing the underlying tension or trauma held in the fascia, the body resists. Or resets. Temporarily.

Here’s what happens, system by system:

nervous system
Chiropractic can overwhelm the autonomic nervous system. Each crack is a mini shock. For some, it can relieve pain in the moment. For others, it triggers fight-or-flight, creating more tension, dizziness, or emotional discharge. Bowen gently invites the nervous system to reset itself, without override. It uses pauses. Stillness. Space. This is how real healing begins – not by force, but by invitation.

muscular system
Adjusting the spine without releasing the fascia or addressing muscle holding patterns means the tension will come back. Muscles remember. Without working with that memory, you’re treating the symptom, not the root. Bowen targets the proprioceptors and Golgi tendon organs, retraining the muscles to relax and realign naturally. No fight. No force.

skeletal system
Joints aren’t meant to be popped repeatedly. Over time, hypermobility can develop. Ligaments can stretch. The joint becomes unstable. With Bowen, the body does the realignment itself. Safely. Gradually. According to its own intelligence.

fascia
This is where trauma lives. Chiropractic rarely works with fascia. It goes for alignment. Bowen works with fascia directly – through subtle inputs and rest periods – giving the body permission to release stored trauma, shift posture and unwind patterns held for years.

circulatory and lymphatic systems
Cracking the spine does nothing for fluid drainage. Bowen activates lymphatic flow and microcirculation by stimulating fascial hydration and vessel pulsation. Swelling goes down. Tissues reoxygenate. Healing speeds up – naturally.

digestive and hormonal systems
Stress from forceful adjustments can aggravate gut issues, raise cortisol and dysregulate hormones in sensitive bodies. Bowen calms the vagus nerve, supports parasympathetic tone, and helps restore rhythm to cycles – digestion, sleep, menstruation, energy.

emotional body
Some clients cry after chiropractic sessions – not because they’re healing, but because their body was violated. Even if intentions were good. Bowen feels different. It’s received. Not endured. It gives the body choice, which is the foundation of trauma healing.

spiritual and energetic
Force overrides the subtle body. The soul doesn’t feel safe when the body is pushed. Bowen honors the whole being. It listens. It allows. It doesn’t rush the wisdom already present.

In essence, chiropractic care is a mechanical solution to an emotional-energetic-fascial problem. Bowen therapy is the opposite. It’s subtle, intelligent, and taps into the body’s self-correction mechanisms.

One cracks the surface. The other rewires the core.

You choose how deep you want your healing to go.

21/04/2025

This is interesting..🤔🧐

From birth, your tongue is actually connected to your toes through an intricate network of connective tissue known as fascia.

If your tongue is not resting correctly in your mouth due to mouth breathing, things can get out of alignment in your mouth and the rest of your body.
Tongue posture can lead to a foot imbalance and vice versa because the tongue guides all myofascial continuity structures that run from the inner arch of the foot up through the middle of the body to the tongue and jaw muscles.

When the tongue sits on top of the palate, it seals the oral cavity and holds the throat open like a tent. These muscles support the neck, keep your posture straight, help you breathe, and maintain your posture upright.
Your tongue also acts as a rudder and support system through a fascial line, and when the tongue is down, we breathe through our mouth, and the head falls forward due to lack of support, which leads to poor posture and increased energy expenditure.

13/03/2025

📢 Bowen Therapy – The Solution When Nothing Else Works!

❌ Chronic pain that won’t go away?
❌ Tired of pills and treatments that only “help a little”?
❌ Waking up exhausted, foggy-minded, and tense?

🔥 Bowen Therapy is NOT just another massage – it’s the key to resetting your body.

✔️ Releases deep-seated tension in muscles and fascia.
✔️ Rebalances the nervous system and hormones.
✔️ Stimulates natural healing and regeneration.

📌 Maria came to me with chronic back pain. After just 3 Bowen sessions, her pain was reduced by 80%, and she could finally sleep comfortably again.

💰 Session Price: £60
📍 Location: Shepperton,TW17 9LG
⭐ Read what my clients say: https://g.co/kgs/fjKMd3q


🎁 SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW CLIENTS:
📌 Book your first session and get a free guide with relaxation exercises!

‼️ Limited spots available – message me now to book your session!
👇 Leave a comment or send me a private message for details!

02/12/2024

Dear friends and family,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support and warmth you have given me during this difficult time, after the unexpected passing of my only and dearest sister. Every message of encouragement, every hug, even from a distance, has brought me immense comfort. It helps me so much to hear how both she and I have had a positive impact on your health as you have faced various challenges.
As we gather together to memorialize and heal, I invite you to consider the benefits of Bowen therapy and Zyto scanning. These methods can offer us valuable support in these times, helping us to maintain our health and have the courage to explore new ways to care for ourselves. Bowen therapy, with its gentle approach, can facilitate emotional release and physical rebalancing, and Zyto scanning can give us deep insights into our bodily needs, guiding us to the most effective supplements and personalized therapies.
Let's be open and brave in trying these methods to support our health and move forward with hope and confidence in memory of my beloved sister.
With love and optimism you can reach me at 07974283625.
Mariana Banu.

30/10/2024

Modern C-sections are good - before them many more women died in childbirth. But they have an ongoing effect on a woman’s body. More information in this great interview with my colleagues Jannie Cnossen and Dr Heike Jäger

In our latest video, "Why Scarwork after C-Section is so important," we welcome two leading experts: Jannie Cnossen and Dr. Heike Jäger. Together, they discu...

17/10/2024

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other holistic health systems, the shoulder pain and small intestine function are thought to be connected through energy pathways known as meridians. The small intestine meridian runs from the hand, along the arm, and through the shoulder area. When there is an imbalance or blockage along this meridian, it can manifest as pain or discomfort in the shoulder.

Additionally, shoulder pain could sometimes be linked to digestive issues in holistic medicine, particularly if there is inflammation or imbalance in the gut. Poor digestion or dysfunction in the small intestine might lead to toxins or undigested food accumulating, which in turn may manifest as musculoskeletal pain, particularly in areas along the related meridian.

In Bowen therapy, which focuses on gentle manipulations of muscles and soft tissues, the approach could involve addressing both the digestive system and musculoskeletal complaints together, under the understanding that body systems are interconnected.

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It occurs when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and thickened, leading to restricted movement. This can develop gradually and typically goes through three stages: the freezing stage (painful and decreasing motion), the frozen stage (stiffness without much increase in pain), and the thawing stage (gradual improvement in mobility).

While frozen shoulder is often linked to injury, overuse, or medical conditions such as diabetes, holistic therapies, including Bowen therapy or acupuncture, might interpret it through the lens of energy blockages, often considering internal organ imbalances as contributing factors. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, frozen shoulder might still be linked to meridians, particularly those of the lung, large intestine, or small intestine, as these run through the shoulder area.

In cases of frozen shoulder, treating the musculoskeletal tension directly through gentle manipulation or techniques like Bowen therapy, while also supporting digestive health, may help restore balance and promote healing. The focus would be on releasing restrictions, improving circulation, and reducing inflammation in both the shoulder joint and potentially related systems like the digestive or immune system.

20/09/2024

High humidity in a room can have several noticeable effects on a person’s health and comfort. Symptoms of high humidity for humans include:

1. **Excessive sweating**: You may sweat more than usual because high humidity interferes with the body's ability to cool itself through perspiration.

2. **Feeling of stickiness or clamminess**: Skin may feel sticky due to the inability of sweat to evaporate properly in humid conditions.

3. **Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing**: Humid air can feel heavy and make breathing more difficult, especially for people with respiratory conditions like asthma.

4. **Fatigue or tiredness**: The body works harder to maintain a normal temperature in high humidity, which can lead to fatigue.

5. **Increased thirst**: You may feel thirstier as your body loses more fluids through sweating.

6. **Overheating or heat exhaustion**: Prolonged exposure to high humidity can make it difficult for the body to cool down, leading to overheating or even heat exhaustion.

7. **Headaches or dizziness**: High humidity can contribute to dehydration, which may cause headaches or dizziness.

8. **Skin issues**: Rashes, irritation, or fungal infections can develop due to moist skin that doesn’t dry properly.

9. **Mold-related allergies**: High humidity can encourage the growth of mold, which may trigger allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes.

If you experience these symptoms, it's important to address the humidity level in the room to restore a more comfortable and healthy environment.
Do you have any idea what’s the percentage of humidity in your room/house?