welcome

an introduction to helen bell and

her therapy treatments in gloucestershire

Helen Bell is a complementary health practitioner, specialising in the Bowen Technique and Manual Lymphatic Drainage. For many years she worked as a consultant therapist at a local hospital. Helen has been a practising therapist in Tetbury since 1991.

In June 2002 Helen completed her training in the Dr Vodder method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy in Austria. She now treats lymphoedema sufferers using a combination of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT). The latter can include the use of bandaging and compression hosiery as well as advice on skin care and exercise.

In 2008 Helen completed her training in the Bowen Technique. This gentle but extremely effective technique makes an excellent supportive treatment for clients with lymphoedema.

Helen’s development as a practitioner has been influenced by both her personal and professional experience.

Helen was General Secretary of The Association of Physical and Natural Therapists for more than four years. This greatly extended her knowledge of the complementary therapy world: in doing so, it also increased her awareness of the public's need for safe and appropriate treatment. As a Full Member of MLDuk and APNT (Association of Physical & Natural Therapists), Helen updates and extends her training on a regular basis, including skills in First Aid.

Helen greatly enjoyed her work at Tetbury Hospital, and was privileged to treat many of the in-patients suffering from terminal illness. In 2000, following years of her own ill health, she embarked on a course of consecutive, daily manual lymphatic drainage treatments. These treatments were a great boost to both her health and well-being.

Following a serious car accident, Helen experienced great benefit from the Bowen Technique and, realising that it would be a really useful adjunctive therapy for lymphoedema work, she began training in Bowen. Since completing the training, Helen has realised the enormous power of this simple yet innovative treatment, which can and does benefit many conditions.

Training:

Dr Vodder Schule

European College of Bowen Studies

Maitri Foundation

Kinesio® Training

Holos Healthcare & Training

The flower on the website is an anemone – Helen’s favourite flower.

The name anemone comes from the Greek for windflower.

“Where streams his blood there blushing springs a rose
And where a tear has dropped, a windflower blows.”

In Greek mythology, as Aphrodite cried over Adonis' death, anemones were born from her tears.

Thank you for stopping by. Do get in touch if you would like to know more.

The Ridgefield Practice is close to the Calcot Manor Spa and Whatley Manor Spa (Aquarius), the Cotswold Care Hospice and not far from the Sue Ryder Care Centre in Cheltenham. It is based in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, (near Cirencester, Stroud, malmesbury, swindon and Chipping Sodbury) and the local postcode areas are: gl8, gl7, gl6, gl5, BS37, SN16.

Bowen therapy is especially useful for migraines, frozen shoulder, asthma and for babies and infants with colic.

Helen treats people using the following therapies: Bowen Therapy, Manual Lymph Drainage and Therapeutic Massage.  She would not describe herself as a massage therapist but as a Lymphoedema and Bowen Therapist (alternative/complementary medicine), specialising in the treatment of patients with a variety of conditions, including:

leg lymphoedema, arm lymphoedema, lipoedema (lipoedema), reconstructive surgery, scars, amputation, burns, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, concussion, ibs (irritable bowel syndrome), keloid scars, parkinson's disease, phantom pain, pregnancy, scars, scleroderma, venous insufficiency, whiplash, complementary medicine, complementary therapist, back pain, neck pain.

Helen Bell is fully qualified to treat every level of lymphoedema and can do so in a peaceful and relaxing, non-hospital environment.

Medical Lymph (or Lymphatic) Drainage therapy originates from the Dr Vodder method of Manual Lymph drainage: some years ago Leduc changed its name.

There is significant evidence from scientific research data to show that MLD works, helping clients with a compromised lymphatic system.

A typical client would be one coming to me after medical treatment (surgery / radiotherapy) for breast cancer, where oedema (swelling) or lymphoedema (aka lymphoedema) often develops after a lumpectomy or a mastectomy.

Helen encourages women with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer, to come to her for a consultation BEFORE surgery takes place so that arm measurements can be taken and a preventative compression garment ordered.  If you have just discovered that you have breast cancer, please contact Helen for advice and support.

As a therapist, Helen welcomes referrals from GPs, consultants, chiropractors, osteopaths, homeopaths, herbalists and acupuncturists etc.