Bowen Therapy

Bowen Theraphy is a genuine holistic modality aimed at treating the whole person. It is appropriate for people of all ages from the very young to the mature adult. The Bowen Technique has benefits for both acute and chronic conditions and is suitable for people with all levels of health. In particular it is suitable for people who have experienced recent trauma or have pre-existing conditions that have become a detriment to their health.

Bowen Therapy has a very important role to play in the health care of women both during and after pregnancy. The Bowen Technique is integral for Mothers-To-Be as it is one of the only therapies that can be performed in its entirety with the patient sitting down or lying on their side

There is a very wide range of acute and chronic conditions for which Bowen Therapy has provided outcomes ranging from long-term rapid remission to significant improvement in presenting problems, mobility, physiology, pain, stress and general well being. Conditions that can respond well include:

• acute and chronic pain with musculo-skeletal or neurological origins
• fibromyalgia,
• back pain,
• menstrual and hormonal imbalances,
• sciatica,
• chronic fatigue syndrome,
• neck pain,
• migraines,
• digestive and bowel issues,
• arm pain and carpal tunnel syndrome,
• TMJ syndrome,
• shoulder pain (frozen shoulder),
• leg and foot pain (plantar fascitis),
• emotional depression and stress,
• asthma,
• sporting and other trauma injuries.

Common pregnancy pains can be easily and gently relieved, almost immediately, with Bowen Therapy and is very relaxing for the expectant mother. Common pregnancy pains themother may experience are:

• Backache
• Sciatica
• Aching legs
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Nausea/Dizziness
• Breathlessness
• Heartburn
• Decreased energy levels

‘Pregnancy can create new problems but can also exacerbate existing ones.’

• Improved posture and joint mobility
• Structurally aligns muscles, nerves, tendons & joints
• Enhances athletic performance
• Accelerates healing from accidents
• Injury prevention & recovery
• Relieves physical & emotional tension
• Lessens symptoms of diseases/conditions
• Improves overall health, well-being & energy levels
• Rapid and lasting relief of the condition is often achieved
• It is safe to use on anyone from newborn babies to the elderly
• No vigorous manipulation is used
• Improvement in conditions from sports injuries to chronic complaints
• Improved circulation of lymphatic and venous fluids
• Improved elimination of toxins
• Improved assimilation of nutrients
• Empowering of the body’s own natural resources to heal itself.

Bowen Therapy is a total body-balancing modality embracing the physical, chemical, emotional and mental aspects of the individual receiving the treatment. The Bowen Technique is considered to be the ‘homeopathy of bodywork’ as it stimulates the body into healing mode with intervention from the practitioner. By applying light rolling moves over specific muscles, tendons or ligaments, signals are sent, via the nervous system to the brain. The brain sends the appropriate signal to the tissues encouraging the release of any tension thus allowing for structural alignment. Sets of moves are followed by two to five minute pauses, where the practitioner leaves the client relaxing on the table and allows for the body to integrate the effect of the work. These wait times give the nervous system a chance to process the sensory information and make adjustments bringing correction to abnormal compensatory postural holding patterns and release to fascial restrictions. This response leads to deeper breathing, slower heart rate, improved blood circulation to the tissues and the removal of waste fluids via the lymphatic system, often resulting in decreased muscular tension.

The pivotal point in a Bowen session is when the body shifts from a “state of emergency or fight or flight” to a place of relaxation where it can rest, reset and heal. Blood flow increases allowing for oxygen delivery, cellular activity is improved, and lymph flow is stimulated aiding in detoxification. Because the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), controls many bodily functions, it can become unbalanced if not given the opportunity to take the time to heal.

Poor Posture is a major factor in the origin of our physical aches and pains and unbalances the body. Although our bodies are resilient at absorbing and dealing with physical and emotional set backs in life, our posture may be affected. Bowen Therapy can enhance coping strategies to enable us to maintain balance and order in our lives, both on a physical and psychological level.

The Bowen Technique was developed in the 1950s by Thomas Bowen in Geelong Australia . It was created through a desire to find a healing modality that would allow the body to assist in its own healing. The practice is based on the principle that our bodies have been designed with an inherent healing ability. Bowen Therapy helps to trigger this natural healing ability.