Many of my patients know that I have been practicing a technique called Bowen Therapy for more than 12 years now. I like to integrate Bowen into many of my Naturopathic treatments because when the structure of the body is aligned properly and is unencumbered, the body is able to detox and heal faster. I always remember that structure influences function in the body. An aligned body is a healthier and higher functioning one.
Being that this technique is prevalent in my practice I thought that I would do a short write-up on how it works, and what health conditions it can be used in to assist in making healing more expedient and efficient.
Bowen was first developed in Australia by Tom Bowen. It is a system of muscle and connective tissue therapy. The technique consists of moves performed on the soft tissues or fascia of the body to stimulate the body’s natural flow of energy, allowing it to heal itself. The movement over the fascia of the muscles also communicates to the nervous system as to where and how to reset the muscles which will realign the bones and joints to their natural position of alignment. In other words, the state that you were born with, your blueprint. It is considered a safe therapy for everyone to use from the elderly to children and infants.
Bowen sessions include a series of precise moves in specific areas of the body, in specific sequences, with many pauses in between that allows for the nervous system to integrate what it was instructed to do with muscle alignment. The moves are very gentle, and can be done through the clothing. The moves themselves are simple skin slack in opposition to the intended move, with a muscle challenge, and then the skin is allowed to move across the structure. Many of my patients comment that they barely feel anything during the treatment, and are very surprised with the body’s reaction following the treatment!
This technique is beneficial since it requires minimal intervention as compared to other hands-on therapies and is relatively pain free. It also does not interfere with other therapies, allowing the body to do what it wisely knows how to do-heal itself!
I have noted that Bowen is a holistic therapy. It allows for the healing of the body, and in many cases also stimulates and triggers the healing of the mental and emotional aspects of an individual.
Having learned all the Bowen Specialized Procedures, I am able to treat a greater number of cases and ones that will not correct itself entirely with the basic movements. I have also attended a Bowen with Mothers and Babies Seminar to be able to do bodywork on infants.
Bowen can be beneficial for:
- Low back pain or sciatica
- Sport injuries, current and previous
- Improved circulation, lymphatic and venous drainage, assisting in assimilating nutrients, and eliminating toxins
- Frozen shoulder
- Migraines and headaches
- Lymphatic drainage
- TMJ
- Upper respiratory problems such as: colds, sinusitis, and sore throats
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Gastrointestinal complaints such as: indigestion/heartburn, bloating, liver and or gallbladder problems
- Upper back tension, pain
- Bedwetting in children
- Coccyx or tailbone injuries
- Gynecological complaints such as: PMS, menopause, ovarian and uterine problems
- Plantar fasciitis
Generally, I have noticed short-term reactions in my patients after treatment. What they come in for may get slightly worse for a day or two and then will resolve itself. For example, if they come in for low back pain treatment, they notice that pain will worsen in the low back for a day or two and then it will subsequently decrease. There are also cases where the condition will go away almost immediately after a treatment. I have also noted that when one area is treated it will heal and another area will start to ‘show up’ indicating that it is an area that needs to be addressed, or may even have been the original cause of the issue.
Having done Bowen for over 12 years, I have learned the many different reactions that come up with treatment and what to do when they arise. Generally, I find this therapy very non-invasive with no serious or long term side effects. Having received many treatments throughout the years, I have learned to love and respect it for what it is capable of doing to assist the body in its healing and overall vitality and longevity! I am still amazed to this day with the dramatic results that I have seen! To be honest, I am surprised that it is not a more popular therapy having seen the amazing and dramatic results for myself over the years. I am hoping to change that; this therapy can be unbelievably beneficial and will give many people the opportunity to live pain free and vital lives!!
If you are interested in learning more about Bowen, please go to my website at Services and FAQ. If you’d like to make an appointment please call the office at 519-954-9168. If you know of anyone that is suffering from a condition that you feel Bowen will be beneficial for, please forward this potentially life changing information to them!
[Note: information obtained from the BOWTECH: The Bowen Technique: a training and instruction manual by Oswald & Elaine Rentsch]