Bowen Therapy
What is Bowen?
The Bowen Technique is a gentle, subtle and relaxing hands-on treatment which stimulates the body to rebalance itself and promotes healing, pain relief and recovery of energy.
What does it treat?
It is effective for a host of conditions including:
> back pain, sciatica
> neck pain, stiffness or whiplash
> frozen shoulder, tennis or golfer’s elbow
> Repetitive Strain Injury
> sports injuries – chronic and acute
> postural problems and body alignment, including leg length differences and tilted pelvis
> joint pain and muscle spasm
> hamstring strain, knee problems
> pain management
> asthma, hay fever, bronchial complaints
> migraines, headaches
> stress and tension, fatigue
> IBS, digestive problems
> kidney problems
> infant colic
> PMT and pregnancy
Practically any problem can be addressed, and some people use the Bowen Technique as a means of stress management and health maintenance, seeing their therapist regularly throughout the year.
Who can it help?
Bowen is suitable for everyone including new born babies, infants and children, the elderly and the terminally ill.
How does the Bowen Technique work?
The practitioner uses fingers and thumbs on precise points of the body to make a series of rolling-type moves which stimulate energy into the muscles and soft tissue. During the treatment the therapist will leave the room for short periods, allowing the client to rest while the body responds to the moves made and makes subtle adjustments to initiate the healing process. The Bowen Technique is not a form of massage. There is no manipulation of hard tissue and no force is used or needed.
What does a treatment involve?
A Bowen Technique session will take approximately 60 minutes (allow 1hr 15 on first appointment to include a consultation). Most of the work can be performed through light clothing. Three to five Bowen sessions, at weekly intervals, are often sufficient to achieve lasting relief from even long standing pain, although further treatments may sometimes be required. To receive maximum benefit it is recommended that other physical therapies are not mixed with the Bowen technique, for example reflexology, massage, physiotherapy.
Where did the Bowen Technique originate?
Thomas Ambrose Bowen of Geelong, Australia developed his own ‘technique’ and had a thriving practice until he died in the 1980’s. His approach is now known throughout the world, and many talented and experienced professional practitioners including physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and sports therapists now use the technique in preference to or alongside their own modalities and continue to be amazed at its effectiveness.
