PATIENT turned practitioner Barbara Tomlinson has adopted a strict "hands-on" approach to her new business as an alternative therapist.

So impressed was the ex-nurse with treatment she received for a frozen shoulder that she's now adopted the same technique to benefit others.

Mrs Tomlinson (64), of Bent Fold Drive, Unsworth, worked in nursing all her life before retiring. She worked in Fairfield Hospital and latterly in the medical room at Salford University College and for a nursing agency.

Mrs Tomlinson, who retired 18 months ago, has now established her Bowen Therapy business from her home.

This technique was developed in Australia by the man whose name lends itself to the treatment. Thomas Ambrose Bowen, who died in 1980, pioneered the practice and at one time treated an astonishing 280 patients a week.

Mrs Tomlinson explained: "Quite simply, it is a straightforward, no nonsense remedial therapy that is non-intrusive, gentle and very effective.

"A Bowen treatment affects the body in ways which promote healing, pain relief and recovery of energy."

She went on: "The Bowen therapy encourages the body to re-align itself. There is no manipulation or adjustment or hard tissue and no force is used or needed. Nor is it a form of massage."

The therapy is especially beneficial for sports or work-related injuries, muscular-skeletal disorders, stress and tension-based problems, hayfever and bronchial symptoms, general relaxation and body balancing.

Mrs Tomlinson, who lost her husband nearly two years ago, enrolled for the Bowen training after being treated by her daughter for a frozen shoulder.

"Helen had already qualified as a Bowen therapist and she treated me. I was so impressed by the results that I decided I wanted to do the same course."

The training, which took nine months to complete, involved five individual modules.