Jenny Todd
Bowen Therapist
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Jenny is qualified in both Bowen Therapy and Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Bowen therapy, also called Bowtech or Bowenwork, is a therapy that gently stretches the fascia- the soft tissue that covers all your muscles and organs- to promote pain relief. This form of therapy uses precise and gentle rolling hand movements. Bowen can be used to treat musculo-skeletal or related neurological problems. Bowen therapy may offer relief from pain, long term injuries and illness, improved health and flexibility, improved sporting performance, relaxation and well-being.
Jenny began her career at Western general hospital, becoming a qualified nurse and midwife.
She later moved to Cohuna and worked at the local hospital for many years. During that time Jenny became interested in healing modalities.
“I received a diploma in Bowen Therapy and later trained to become a lymphatic drainage massage therapist and I continue to be passionate in these fields of work. My interests are golf, cooking and being with friends.”
Jenny is available once a month on a Wednesday.
Bowen & Lymphatic Drainage Massage
There are 11 systems in our body and one of them is the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system keeps you clean and safe internally by detoxifying the body of chemical toxins and bacteria that cause damage and disease. Lymph is a colourless fluid that circulates through the lymph vessels throughout the body.
Unlike the circulation of blood it has no heart to pump lymph throughout the body but is dependant on the natural massage like action of muscles during breathing and body movement.
Throughout the lymphatic system there are lymph nodes. These act as filters to prevent the spread of infection throughout the body. They also manufacture white blood cells and antibodies which fight infection. Since they help to block infection it is common for them to become swollen and painful during illness. The superficial (surface) nodes are in the neck, armpit, groin, behind the knees and inside the elbows. No matter how sparse or how good your diet is or how many antioxidants you take, no matter how consciously you deal with stress or how enthusiastically you exercise…it can be helped periodically to spring clean your body from within with a massage that improves lymphatic drainage.
This technique stimulates your bodies eliminative capabilities so that any sluggishness in the blood and lymphatic circulation and any stasis in the tissues is cleared away. Then whatever toxicity that may be present can be broken down and eliminated before it causes degenerative damage and disease.
This specialised form of massage is very effective in the following:
1. Fluid Retention: Persons with swelling in the feet and legs or general fluid retention. Often swelling is found in people who’s work involves long periods of standing or persons who lead a sedentary life style.
2. Cellulite : particularly in the regions of the thighs, hips and buttocks is involved in the retention of toxic wastes and fluid and can be related to sluggish lymph function.
3. Premenstrual fluid retention: can be greatly reduced by a lymphatic massage if carried out 1-2 days before swelling is experienced.
4. Low Immunity: People with poor resistance to infection can benefit from lymphatic drainage massage.
5. Recovery: It can help people after a convalescent period.
6. Allergies: people suffering from food and drug allergies can benefit by having the lymph stimulated to filter out toxins.
7. Cuts and bruises: minor injuries can be soothed with lymphatic massage which increases the healing process.
8. Exercise, sport and fitness: lymphatic massage is the perfect adjunct. It restores muscular power and mobility and can banish muscle spasms. It loosens the body and helps prevent stiff muscles and cramps and speeds recovery from sprained joints. Accumulated acids can form in muscles and stagnate. These acids are waste products that cause pain.
9. Stress may be experienced by daily non specific pain, soreness of shoulders, neck, headaches, aching feet, lower back problems and difficulty in felling asleep and mood changes. This is accompanied by ominous chemical changes within the body where acidic irritants keep the muscles perpetually tense, either they are disused or in constant tension then disease may develop. The tissues then become tense and remain that way resisting all forms of exercise and various drugs.
10. The skin: massage removes dead brittle skin from the surface and allows living tissue to breath so enhancing the texture of the skin and promoting a healthy glow.
The purpose of lymphatic massage is to stimulate and drain the lymph by pumping it through the body. The massage movements are done in a rhythmic action that eliminates wastes and strengthens the immune system.