Bowen
Techniquewas
developed by Australian bodywork
therapist Tom Bowen. It integrates
structural and soft tissue changes
by stimulating the central,
peripheral autonomic nervous
systems, restoring the structural
integrity of the body. It allows the
body to reintegrate on many levels
so that a process of healing can
take place.
History
Tom Bowen developed this
remarkable technique in the ‘50s.
Through observation he noticed that
unusual relationships existed
between certain health complaints
and particular patterns of muscular
dysfunction his patients presented.
After intense research he developed
his own unique system whereby
myofascial ‘moves’ brought about
long term corrections to muscular
dysfunction and other health
complaints. He referred to this as
‘soft tissue’ therapy.
Tom Bowen
treated approximately 13,000 people
per year, with amazing success. He
also had great success treating
animals especially race horses and
greyhounds.
Philosophy and Application
Bowen Technique works by releasing
the neuromuscular imbalances
throughout the body. If these
imbalances are released, the body
can regulate itself and in the
process pain and symptoms disappear
and energy levels are restored to
normal.
Tom Bowen found that if all muscular
imbalances could be released, then
the body would regulate itself, and
in this process pain and symptoms
would vanish and energy levels would
increase. By stimulating the body in
a very specific way its innate
intelligence could begin a process
of ‘unraveling’ which could take
from 5 to 7 days as the body lets go
of its holding patterns. I find that
this varies but on average usually
takes 2 – 4 days.
What can be felt?
During a treatment some people feel
body ache’s move from one place to
another. They may have emotional
release or sweating, but always
report a deep sense of relaxation
and change taking place.
The
Bowen treatment may take up to 1hr and
involves a series of light cross fibre moves with
thumbs and fingers across muscle’s,
tendons and ligaments. Between these
specific moves, 2 minute breaks are
taken whereby the therapist leaves
the room. This allows the body to
respond to the work that has been
done. By leaving these spaces the
body can let go of blockages and
re-align itself. During the
treatment people may feel ‘surges’
of energy, tingling or twitching as
the body lets go of tension. After
the treatment most people say they
feel light and deeply relaxed.
Conditions
that have been reported to respond to
Bowen Technique
Acute and chronic
pain this includes back, neck,
shoulder, legs
~ ankle and foot problems ~ facial pain
~ headaches
~
migraines ~
sinusitis ~
digestive problems ~
menstrual problems ~
infertility
~ breast problems ~ prostate
problems ~ groin strain ~ frozen shoulder
~
tennis elbow ~
shorter leg discrepancies and pelvic problems
~ TMJ (jaw problems)
~
ankle and foot problems
~
knee and hamstrings ~
groin pain
~
and respiratory disorders
~
sciatica.
See
Bowen Therapy Professional Association
website for testimonials on Bowen
Technique:
