What is The Bowen Technique?

The Bowen Technique is named after an Australian body worker, Thomas Ambrose Bowen. The work is very subtle, using finger and thumbs to work over soft tissue and applying very little pressure. The rolling type Bowen move creates a gentle disturbance of the underlying fascia, which in turn prompts a central nervous system response. The treatment includes a series of short breaks where the patient is left resting, allowing their body to respond to the moves. These rest periods are an important part of the treatment and gives the body time to make fine adjustments, which help to re-balance, relieve tension and reduce pain.

 

What does treatment involve?

Initial appointments last for 90 minutes and include a full medical history, assessment and treatment. Follow up appointments will last approximately 60 minutes. A course of three – five treatments, at weekly intervals, are often sufficient to achieve lasting relief. Most of the work can be performed through light clothing and will be performed on a therapy couch, or in a chair if you are unable to lie down. For maximum benefit it is recommended that other physical therapies are not mixed with the Bowen Technique, for example, reflexology, massage or physiotherapy.

 

How could the Bowen Technique help you?

The experience of Bowen is gentle, subtle and relaxing. Because of this, Bowen can be considered for clients for whom other forms of therapy might be too aggressive, forceful or invasive. Our Bowen Clinic sees everyone from the tiniest of babies through to the frailest of adults; we adapt the treatment to meet your needs.

 

Conditions which have been reported to respond to Bowen include back and neck pain, knee problems, sports injuries, RSI, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, asthma and similar respiratory problems; TMJ/TMD, and migraine – to name a few. Some people use Bowen as a means of managing their stress or for health maintenance. Others such as golfers, equine eventers, marathon runners, actors and dancers use Bowen as a means to improve their stamina and performance.