The procedure
A Bowen treatment consists of sequences of small moves at varying pressures, each at a specific site on the body. The treatment is pleasant – therapists use light, cross-fiber maneuvers of muscle, tendon or ligament with no forceful manipulation.

A treatment will typically last between 30 minutes and one hour. It can be provided through a layer of light clothing, although you may be asked to remove heavy or thick garments. During this time, the therapist may leave the room for periods of 2–5 minutes at a time. This allows time for your body to respond to the treatment and for the necessary changes to occur in your body before commencing the next sequence of moves.

During the treatment, the therapist will discuss possible side effects from the treatment that show that the body’s self-healing process is working. They will emphasize the importance of body hydration (drinking plenty of water) and will recommend any other exercise, environmental or lifestyle changes necessary to maintain your wellbeing.

Bowen Therapy for Back Pain

A study into the effects of Bowen Therapy on Back Pain was conducted in June 2007. The outcome was on the whole very satisfying, not to mention revealing, with almost 90% of treatments given resulting in either a complete or partial recovery.

By triggering a re-balancing of the muscles around the lumbar and pelvic areas, Bowen Therapy may help to stabilize a weak area, reduce compression around the nerve roots or improve circulation to the spinal discs, muscles and joints.

Bowen therapy helps to reduce pain and also improve range of movement throughout the body.

Welcome To Ancient Technologies

The Bowen techniques may very well be one of the single most important modalities we have to facilitate healing of the whole body.  The moves bring about incredible results by penetrating to a deep cellular level, incorporating the body's unique ability to heal itself.

The natural healing technique balances energy flow in the body.  Energy flow is critical for the body's healing capabilities and for all essential life processes.  Bowen Therapy focuses on a series of rolling moves across superficial muscles, tendons and nerves to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which gives the brain a direct command to seek homeostasis (balance). A Bowen treatment is done while fully clothed and is safe and effective for all age groups and body types,  Bowen is referred to as a " complementary " healing modality because it enhances and compliments most medical procedures.  Bowen serves to remind us that the most effective methods do not have to be complicated.

Modern medicine is in its infancy and despite its claims of medical advances, the rampant use of pharmaceuticals to treat disease, in many cases, only succeeds in masking the symptoms without elimination the cause.

Touch is the most enduring and closest of human interactions.  From mothers cradling arms to a s simple handshake or a passionate embrace, touch provides the assurance that we are alive

 

Dr. Joseph Mercola "This work, done properly, will take care of 85% of most pain problems.  It's absolutely amazing."

Conditions known to be improved with Bowen:

chronic headaches, neck pain, stiffness, "frozen" shoulder, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, chest pain, back pain, scoliosis, posture, pelvic imbalance, hip pain, ankle sprains, hammertoes, bunions and numerous others.

BOWEN THERAPY IS UNIQUE   In order to explain bowen therapy to a new  client, one often compares it to some of the more widely known therapies. However, bowen therapy is quite unique and is clearly distinguishable from other techniques:     MASSAGE   Bowen therapy's methods objectives are quite different.  Bowen moves go no deeper than fascia on superficially accessible muscles, and utilizes gentle pressure only. There is no prolonged rubbing or even touching around a bowen "move" that has just been applied. This can weaken the effectiveness of the move. In fact, to achieve relief with Bowen, the area in question may not even be touched! Also, no oils or lotions are utilized during a bowen treatment.   ACUPUNCTURE/ACUPRESSURE   Bowen therapy does not utilize needles during treatment. Some of the areas of focus in a bowen treatment may coincide with acupuncture points, but there are so many acupoints that some overlap is inevitable.  Bowen is a much simpler and  more focused intervention. With bowen therapy, one simple move across the structure is all it takes. The same release of blockages and energy flow will occur with bowen therapy.   CHIROPRACTIC   Bowen therapy does not manipulate the bones of the skeletal system in any way. However, bowen therapy can still result in a proper realignment of the body  and many clients observe or feel this vertebral movement. This is evidence of the body realigning and healing itself as opposed to an intentional manipulation by the practitioner.    DIRECTIONAL ENERGY WORK   Energy work practitioners may focus on directing change in the body that they think should occur rather than letting the body decide what it needs. In contract, bowen therapists are taught to focus only on doing a precise movement accurately, and then physically leaving the room to let the body heal itself naturally.   PHYSIOTHERAPY   Bowen therapy is not physiotherapy. There is no exercise during a Bowen treatment. Stretch reflex, Golgi reflex and reciprocal enervation may be involved in the muscular releases, but these occur on a cellular level. With bowen therapy, there is no use of any machines, electrical or otherwise. Many people may fall asleep during a bowen session. These factors distinguish bowen therapy from remedial exercises or movement training that some people need for long-term injury recovery.    TRIGGER POINT THERAPY   Most trigger points are found in the core of muscles and involve very deep penetration of muscles, while bowen therapy moves are usually made at the origin or insertion of muscles groups and are very gentle.    MYOFASCIAL RELEASE   With each bowen move, the fascia is gently stimulated; it is not engaged at a deep tissue level nor forcefully separated or worked on for a prolonged period. After a series of bowen sessions, adhesions tend to loosen and scar tissue frequently softens and shrinks on its own because impediments to the natural healing process are removed.    LYMPHATIC MASSAGE   Bowen does stimulate lymphatic releases, in that sinuses will often drain during the session; breast lumps may shrink or be gone within a few weeks; and excess fluids are usually eliminated within the week. Bowen does not, however, use the percussion or vigorous stroking of lymphatic massage, although there is a bit of gentle "milking" done around the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle.    EMOTIONAL RELEASE   Bowen therapy often releases emotional blockages when these interfere with the natural healing of the body. Some clients have reported having a "good cry" after a treatment which leaves them feeling freer and lighter. Bowen therapy often leads to the permanent removal of  the protective wall of tense musculature which befell the client at the original time of trauma.     OSTEOPATHY   Osteopathy can involve the physical manipulation of joints and organs whereas bowen therapy stimulates the healing of joints and organs through gentle moves across the muscles, tendons or ligaments at a fascial level.   BOWEN AND OTHER THERAPIES   It is important to note that bowen therapy has been effective at alleviating a wide range of conditions even when other treatments have resulted in transient or little improvement. This is because it affects the body differently. In contrast to many other hands-on modalities where the practitioner imposes correction on the client through manipulation, bowen therapy facilitates the body in healing itself, with minimal intervention.    Every client is unique and some of the techniques listed above may also be very helpful to a person's condition.  If planning to combine other modalities with bowen therapy, be sure to discuss an appropriate treatment schedule with your bowen therapist. Certain bodywork treatments, if applied within one week of a bowen session, may counteract the effects of a bowen treatment.

Paul Anthony