Bowen Therapy
Bowen therapy is a complementary holistic therapy focused on relieving tension and stress from the body by addressing fascia (connective tissue), muscles, bones and the nervous system.
It targets certain points on the body (often these points can be associated with acupressure and meridians) with rolling movements to help it release sustained muscular spasms and bring body to symmetry and balance.
Developed in the 1950s by Tom Bowen, this therapy is reported to help with a number of conditions muscular skeletal conditions (list below) and can address the symptoms of stress and anxiety.
The main idea behind Bowen Technique is to address imbalances associated with the spine, skull, and the pelvic girdle with the goal resolving structural issues affecting and compromising the Central Nervous System. If that doesn’t resolve all the issues you present with , your Bowen therapist will use targeted approach to other areas of the body
Your questions answered
In terms of what to wear, Bowen can be applied to both bare skin and through loose and light clothing. If either yourself or your therapist have specific requirements, it can be discussed in the initial consultation.
During the session you will usually lie on a therapy bed or table. The therapist will apply subtle rolling moves across particular muscle groups, tendons and ligaments. Sometimes therapist might pause to allows the body reset and absorb the work that has been done.
Session length will differ depending on individual circumstances, but typically you can expect a session to last between 30 minutes to an hour (initial session with consultation).
In order to get the most out of your sessions, your therapist may recommend having three -six consecutive sessions every 5-10 days (depends on how chronic your issue is). This will give you a chance to gain a true perspective on how you respond to the therapy. If you want to continue after that, it’s considered normal to have sessions spaced even further apart.
In some cases people have reported side effects to Bowen treatment. These include flu-like symptoms, headaches, stiffness and tiredness. Holistic health practitioners have long recognised a process which they refer to as the ‘healing response’. Tom Bowen described this process as the body ‘resetting itself’. While the body is working to eliminate stress and toxins, the Bowen technique is addressing the root issues. In some cases, these issues rise to the surface in the form of a ‘healing response’, reminding us that there is unfinished business.
Even if you experience a reaction, it’s important to persevere with the treatment. Discuss any side effects with your therapist. They will then be able to provide you with appropriate advice such as exercising, drinking water or other tips to help you with your symptoms.
There are a number of conditions in which the Bowen technique is said to be helpful. These include back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain and other joint pains. People may also seek the treatment for respiratory conditions and headaches. Even injured athletes find the method helpful as a remedial therapy during recovery. It is also worth noting that due to the therapy’s nature, the Bowen technique can be useful for people of all ages.
Conditions Bowen Therapy can help with
- allergies
- headaches including migraines
- back issues
- knee and hip problems
- bed wetting
- menstrual problems
- bladder problems
- mobility issues
- digestive issues
- repetitive strain injury (RSI)
- fatigue
- respiratory issues
- foot problems
- sports injuries
- frozen shoulder
- stress and anxiety