The Bowen Technique (also known as Bowtech – the Original Bowen Technique and Bowenwork) is a dynamic system of muscle and connective tissue therapy that was developed by the late Tom Bowen in Geelong, Australia. Sometimes called the homeopathy of bodywork, it utilizes subtle inputs to the body (known as moves), stimulating the body to heal itself, often profoundly. The Bowen Technique offers tremendous benefit to clients with very little effort on the part of the practitioner. It can provide relief for many types of injuries and other health problems, both acute and chronic, and it does so holistically, via the body’s innate healing mechanisms. The practitioner’s moves deliver signals to the nervous system at specific locations (on muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves), and the body responds in its own time, within its vital capacity.
While there are a few, very specific situations in which a particular ‘procedure’ is contraindicated, Bowen Technique is appropriate for people of all ages, in all degrees of health.
When faced with an acute injury, a Bowen practitioner may effectively apply the work to address only the traumatized areas, since the client has had little time to compensate for, and accommodate to, the injury. However, most practitioners find themselves working with clients whose conditions have developed gradually over many years, and patterns of dysfunctional muscle recruitment and posture have become entrenched over time. In these cases, Bowen practitioners often need to take a more ‘whole-body’ approach to facilitate optimal alignment and recovery.
Research demonstrates effectiveness of the Bowen Technique.
Study on Bowen therapy in 1998 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Science.
Practitioners rated the following results in their clients:
- 85% effectiveness in back pain with 4.3 sessions
- 88% effectiveness in neck pain with 4.5 sessions
- 83% effectiveness in stress, tension with 4 sessions
- 83% effectiveness in “other” issues after 5.8 sessions
After receiving their treatments, clients reported the following results:
- 85% effectiveness with back pain
- 80% effectiveness for stress and tension
- 80% effectiveness with Fibromyalgia
- 95% effectiveness with TMJD
- 80% effectiveness with hip pain
- 75.6% for “other” conditions
Indications for Bowen Technique:
✓ Back pain and sciatica
✓ Digestive and bowel problems
✓ Earache and TMJ problems, tinnitus
✓ Migraines and other types of headaches
✓ Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
✓ Hip, knee, ankle and foot problems
✓ Menstrual and hormonal Irregularities
✓ Neck and shoulder problems (including ‘frozen shoulder’)
✓ Groin pain, pelvic tilt and uneven leg length
✓ Respiratory problems and hay fever
✓ RSI, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow
✓ Sports and other traumatic injuries
✓ Blood pressure
✓ Children (Bedwetting, ADD, ADHD, Autistic spectrum, Dyslexia & Dyspraxia)
✓ General muscular aches and stiffness
✓ Lymphatic drainage
✓ New-born baby problems (e.g. Colic, feeding problems, sleep-related conditions)
✓ Pre-surgery preparation
✓ Post-operative recovery
✓ Whiplash
✓ Women’s problems (e.g. Heavy or painful periods, infertility, fibroids)
Pre-treatment information
A Bowen treatment involves light, gentle moves, applied to very specific points on the body with frequent pauses throughout the session which are there to allow the body time to respond to the work and begin the process of change. It’s possible you may feel cold, or warm, perhaps a tingling sensation – however, you may feel nothing at all. Feedback is valuable, so please to tell the therapist if you experience anything at all as it will affect the way the treatment continues.
General In order to obtain maximum benefit from your therapy, we do not recommend that you mix Bowen with other therapies as this could cause an adverse reaction or undermine the efficacy of the Bowen. For this reason, it is recommended that you do not undertake any other form of therapy either 7 days before, or 7 days after a Bowen Treatment. As Bowen also works on an emotional level, please be aware that you may have an emotional response to this treatment – it is nothing to worry about and is quite normal.
Contra-indications A contra-indication is when your medical history, such as surgery, pregnancy or another condition indicates that it is not appropriate to use a particular Bowen procedure during treatment, or in some cases, to proceed at all. In these circumstances, your therapist will advise you, and for this reason, it is important for you to be open and honest with us regarding your health.
Call us on 020 8767 3888 to book your appointment!