Bowen Therapy

Using a non-invasive physical therapy to address the whole body to reset and heal.

The Bowen Technique is a non-invasive physical therapy that is extremely gentle and relaxing. Bowen therapy empowers the body to achieve its natural balance through gentle “moves” over muscle and other soft tissue. It addresses the whole body to reset and heal. Therefore, it is effective for pain management. Bowen therapy is safe for all ages and stages of life.
The technique was developed in the 1950s by the late Thomas A. Bowen (1916-1982) of Geelong, Victoria in Australia. Although there are discrepancies with the details of his life history, professional training and work experience, it is generally agreed that the attempt by the Victorian government to discredit his technique turned into the technique’s greatest promotion. Although Tom Bowen was not formally trained in any health care field and claimed that his work was “a gift from God,” he developed the technique as it is today.

Tom Bowen only trained half a dozen students. The two initial students were the Osteopath and Natural Therapist, Oswald Rentsch and his wife Elaine, who followed Mr. Bowen and documented the technique for two and a half years. By agreement, the Rentschs did not start to teach the technique until after the death of Tom Bowen. The first seminar was held in Perth, Australia, in 1986. The Bowen Technique has now expanded throughout the world and there are currently 60 teachers offering seminars around the globe.

How the Bowen Technique works

During a Bowen Technique session, the patient lies or sits on a bodywork table, wearing loosely fitting clothing. The therapist then applies a carefully orchestrated series of gentle movements at specific locations across the body. The movements are composed of a subtle challenge and rolling of muscle, tendon, nerve and connective tissue. The therapist will leave the room between each series of moves in order to promote maximum relaxation and to allow the body to integrate the treatment received.

At the end of the session, the most common reaction is a deep sense of relaxation. The resetting of the body’s autonomic nervous system allows the body to achieve its own natural balance and restoration through improved internal energy flow.

Bowen sessions usually range from 15 minutes to an hour, and take place over 7-day intervals. The number of sessions can range from two to ten sessions, depending on the condition.
Interactions

Bowen can complement other treatments, such as Homeopathy. However, other deep tissue treatments can potentially counteract the effect of Bowen when used within a week of the Bowen treatment (e.g. chiropractics, massage. If you plan to combine Bowen with any other modality, please remember to discuss an appropriate treatment schedule with your Bowen therapist.

Benefits of Bowen Therapy

As mentioned earlier, The Bowen is safe to use on all ages, from the newborn to the elderly, due to its gentle nature. However, there are certain moves, which are contraindicated in pregnancy, after recent surgery, or breast implants.

The relaxing and healing effects of Bowen therapy have been found to decrease physical, mental and emotional stress, increase circulation of the lymphatic and venous systems, decrease pain, improve joint mobility, assist in the assimilation of nutrients, and eliminate toxins. Therefore, Bowen therapy can help with musculoskeletal conditions (i.e. low back pain and knee pain); digestive problems (i.e. constipation, colic, and indigestion); gynecological problems (e.g. PMS and menopausal symptoms); respiratory problems (i.e. asthma); and other conditions (i.e. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Tinnitus).