The Bowen Technique
How did Bowen Therapy get it’s name?
The Bowen technique was developed in Australia in the 1950s by Tom Bowen, who modestly said his healing power was “simply a gift from God”.
He was born in Brunswick, Australia. He started by treating the injuries, aches and pains of local sportsmen, friends and family and colleagues in Geelong. He had a particular interest in bad backs. In the 1960s, he opened his own clinic and developed the therapy. During the 1970s, the Webb Report (Australian Government Report into Complementary Therapies) found that Tom Bowen was treating 13,000 people a year. The Bowen technique is now being taught to final year university students of Osteopathy in Australia.
Thomas Ambrose Bowen (1916-1982)
What happens during a Bowen Therapy Session?
A Bowen treatment can be administered through light clothing, with the client sitting, standing or lying. With primarily fingers and thumbs, the Bowen practitioner makes small, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue at precise points on the body, using only the amount of pressure appropriate for that individual. No hard-tissue manipulation or force is needed or used.
Between each set of moves, the body is allowed to rest for a few minutes, to allow it to absorb the information it has received and initiate the healing process. Many clients become so relaxed they fall asleep during the treatment.
It is advised that clients do not have other hands-on therapies while receiving Bowen, as this can confuse the body’s response and inhibit the healing process.
How long is a Bowen Therapy Session?
A Bowen treatment is generally pleasant to receive, each session lasting 30 – 60 minutes, depending on the age of the client and the nature of their symptoms.
How many Treatment Sessions will I need?
Short-term (acute) injury is usually resolved in 1 – 3 Bowen treatments, while long-standing (chronic) symptoms may require longer. A gap of 5 to 10 days is recommended between Bowen sessions so that the body can process the subtle information it has been given.
What is Bowen Therapy?
The Bowen Technique is a drug-free, non-invasive, hands-on remedial therapy. It is a system of subtle and precise mobilisations over muscles, tendons, nerves and fascia. The moves are performed using the thumbs and fingers applying only gentle, non invasive pressure over the muscles and connective tissue which send messages deep into the body retrieving cellular memory, inducing a relaxed balanced feeling of well being.
Bowen therapy is suitable for all ages, from a baby with colic to an elderly person with arthritis, and there are no known contra-indications.
This remarkable technique can be quick and effective in helping the following:
- Muscular and skeletal problems in neck, shoulder, hip ,jaw, knees, ankle and back, including sciatic
- Frozen shoulder, tennis and golfers elbow, R.S.I. and carpal tunnel
- Whiplash and sports injuries
- Problems with posture and body alignment
- Migraine and recurring headaches
- Bell’s Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and the difficulties suffered by stroke victims
- Respiratory, bronchial and related symptoms such as hay fever and asthma
- Digestive, bowel and bladder problems
- Arthritis
- Ear problems and dizziness
- Hormonal, pregnancy and fertility problems
- Stress management, ME, fatigue and sleep problems.
Packages
Bowen Technique (Adult) approx 45-60 minutes £45
Bowen Technique (Adult) course of 3 sessions paid in advance £120
Bowen Technique (Child) approx 45 minutes £35
Bowen Technique (Child) course of 3 sessions paid in advance £90