What is Bowen Therapy?
Using gentle targeted movements, a practitioner using Bowen Therapy affects the below structures to influence the body’s systems:- Nerves
- Fascia
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Joints
Almost all structures in the body are enveloped by the fascia (a thin layer of connective tissue). Through stimulating fascia and nerve receptors, Bowen moves initiate a series of responses that allow the body to unwind from long-held tension and to revert to its original, balanced state.
Therapeutic wait times between moves allow the nervous system a chance to process the sensory information and make adjustments. Bowen Therapy honours the innate intelligence of the body as recognised in all the traditional healing arts. People of all ages respond to Bowen Therapy according to what their bodies need to find well-being.
Bowen therapy is a soft-tissue modality not to be confused with massage as it differs in the following ways:- There is no forceful manipulation of muscles
- No oil is used
- Bowen therapy can be performed on skin or through light, comfortable clothing
- The comfort of the client is paramount, therefore, for someone unable to lay down the Bowen session may be completed seated or lying on their side. This also addresses the needs of people with impaired movement, those who may have sensitivity around body image and also allows for specific cultural sensitivities.
To find a Bowen Therapist in Australia, visit www.bowen.org.au, or contact one of our Trainers and Assessors here.
Worldwide, visit www.bowtech.com
How can Bowen Therapy help?
Bowen Therapy is gentle and appropriate for people of all ages and stages of life. The increasing stresses of everyday life place pressure on the body and its systems, such as the immune system or digestive system. It is at these times that Bowen Therapy can come to the fore as a therapy of choice for those wanting to address stress and feel more balanced and relaxed.
People seeking Bowen Therapy may come for a few sessions for acute conditions or as a general maintenance for everyday life.
Bowen Therapy may offer assistance towards conditions such as:- Increasing flexibility and movement as people age
- Support for chronic or acute conditions
- Support through pregnancy, for the newborn and children
- Menstrual/hormonal irregularities
- Sporting injuries
- Pre and post-surgery
- Respiratory issues
- Migraines
- Back pain & sciatica
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Bowen Therapy was traditionally used for the relief of musculoskeletal issues including, back, neck and limb problems, along with the general aches and pains of ageing.
To find a Bowen therapist in Australia, visit www.bowen.org.au, or contact one of our Trainers and Assessors here.
Worldwide, visit www.bowtech.com
Tom Bowen History
Tom Bowen began developing what is now known as Bowen Therapy in the 1950s, and continued to practice in Geelong, Australia until his passing in 1982.
According to a 1974 survey of alternative health practitioners performed by the Victorian Government, in more than 85% of his cases, the problems for which his patients sought relief were resolved and Bowen was performing more than 13,000 Bowen Therapy sessions per year. Bowen regularly held free clinics for children, people with disabilities, and community service workers throughout his career.
Tom Bowen developed his technique through ascertaining precise body locations and developing sequences of ‘moves’ to treat each individual he saw. Bowen therapy’s use of light pressure follows the Arndt-Schulze law, which states that the body responds more deeply and positively to low-pressure stimuli than it does to painful, strong stimuli. Tom Bowen discovered and employed the principle long before the Arndt-Schulze law had been formulated.
Today this this soft tissue therapy known as Bowen Therapy has a strong, loyal following around the world.
