A Bradford teacher is proving he has the gentle touch by leaving the classroom behind in favour of a revolutionary alternative therapy.

AFTER A lifetime spent teaching, Kelvin Hibbert is now turning his hand to healing.

The 61-year-old physical education teacher at Hanson School in Bradford is on the verge of becoming a fully qualified practitioner of the Bowen Technique.

The remarkable alternative therapy is sometimes called the Mozart of Healing because the body is as sensitive to touch as a Stradivarius. Moves used by a Bowen practitioner mirror the way musicians place their fingers on the strings to produce sounds.

Simply put, Bowen stimulates the brain to heal.

"The Bowen really just reminds the body to repair itself," said Kelvin, who lives in Wilsden. "The body is a very complex system and it depends on being balanced.

"Conventional medicine often just treats the symptoms, Bowen looks at the cause," said Kelvin. "The Bowen technique is holistic. It looks at the body as a whole, not just the injured part.

"In fact it often means that parts of the body that are not treated respond to the therapy."

The actual technique is a closely guarded secret which Kelvin is not permitted to reveal. But he can say that it involves a series of gentle movements along the muscle and connective tissue of the body using the thumb and fingertips.

Bowen uses the central nervous system to send signals to the brain. There is no manipulation, no harsh corrective 'cracking' of joints or pulling of limbs.

The treatment is subtle - it can usually be done over light clothing. And it is safe for people of all ages and even pregnant woman.

Because it is gentle and non-invasive, Bowen cannot actually do any harm.

In some ways it is like reprogramming a computer, a very complex machine which when it breaks down needs to be told what to do again.

Kelvin's introduction to the technique came through his wife, Elizabeth, who was diagnosed as having a trapped nerve in her shoulder just over six months ago.

"Elizabeth was in a lot of pain. She went to physiotherapy and she saw doctors at the hospital. They were very helpful and kind, but could do little or nothing.

"She was prescribed strong pain killers, but they didn't really help."

By chance while attending a Spanish class, a colleague introduced Elizabeth to Bierley-based Bowen practitioner Michael Hollingworth.

Still in excruciating pain after having pursued most conventional medicine, she decided to give it try - with results that are nothing short of miraculous.

"When I first saw what Micheal was doing at the session, I must admit that was very sceptical," said Kelvin. "I thought, 'this guy's a quack'. But I was forced to change my tune very quickly.

"He asked me if I had any problems, so I told him that my knee had been bothering me for some years. I couldn't bend my knees to crouch down.

"Michael did the Bowen technique on me and said I should have another go at bending down. It was amazing. I could crouch down for the first time in ages.

"That night, my wife had the first good night's sleep she had had in a fortnight. She had a few more sessions the next week and the symptoms seemed to disappear.

"The following weekend she went on and planted 300 bedding plants."

Kelvin was astonished and inspired to know more about the technique.

He enrolled on a course and has subsequently undertaken further courses.

Because he is not a fully qualified Bowen Practitioner, Kelvin cannot charge for his services. But he is allowed to help friends and build a portfolio.

Neil Donkin, head teacher of Eccleshill School, is one of the his satisfied customers.

"It was amazing. I suffered from problems with my neck for 35 years or so. I didn't have much mobility at all.

"But a few sessions of Bowen with Kelvin and I was like a new man."

Bowen can be used to treat a variety of ailments - sports injuries, sciatica, stress, asthma, sprains, tennis elbow, repetitive strain injury, joint problems and back pain.

It is particularly effective for a frozen shoulder, a painful condition which conventional medicine can usually only treat with cortisone injections.

Kelvin is due to retire this summer after having been at Hanson School in Sutton Avenue nearly all his life.

As a youngster, Kelvin was a pupil at the school when it was housed in a building on the corner of Byron Street and Barkerend Road.

After leaving school and doing his National Service, Kelvin decided to embark on a career in teaching and after qualifying found himself back at Hanson, where he has been based for 37 years.

However, now as he leaves teaching, a new career is beckoning. Kelvin is pragmatic about the future.

"It will be a real wrench to leave Hanson after so long, but I am looking forward to doing the Bowen Technique."

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