ABOUT BOWEN THERAPY
Bowen Therapy was developed in the 1950's by the late Tom Bowen in Geelong, Australia. In 1974, he invited Mr Oswald Rentsch and his wife Elaine to study with him, asking them to document his technique to create the intial study notes, charts and manuals. Dedicated to preserving the technique and ensuring it was taught in its original form, The Rentschs founded the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia in 1987 naming it Bowtech - The Bowen Technique.
Bowen Therapy is sometimes called the “homeopathy of bodywork,” as it stimulates the body to heal itself like Homeopathy. It works using a gentle rolling action over pre-determined specific points on connective tissue. This Bowen movement creates a piezoelectric current, documented to have strong healing properties. The gentle passive stretches used during a treatment also rehydrate the fascia giving the patient a better range of motion and ease of movement. Most problems that could be helped by massage will respond to Bowen Therapy, whilst the client enjoys a pain-free relaxing treatment in a warm, calm, nurturing environment. Everybody is better with Bowen and it’s never too early or too late to have a treatment.
It is very gentle and can be used for a wide ranging set of conditions including back pain, headaches, frozen shoulder, bursitis, fibromyalgia, leg cramps, restless legs, headaches, TMJ pain and sports injuries, With Bowen Therapy, we believe that less is more and that gentle works deeper.
Bowen & Stress The link between stress and physical disorders is well-documented. Many people are stuck in the fight or flight response, unable to switch back into a rest and repair mode, often due to anxiety, too much stimulation be it from noise, lights, sugar or too many caffeinated drinks. If it affects their sleep, the body cannot heal itself during the night. This puts additional strain on the nerves and adrenal glands, with the body then sliding into a state of dis-ease, shutting down mentally, physically and emotionally.
Constant stimulation from bright lights, incessant noise, daily stress, anything that makes us feel a bit edgy, takes its toll. During a Bowen session, external stimulii are kept to a minimum, which helps slow the heart rate and calm the mind, allowing the body to switch from Autonomic Nervous System dominance to Parasympathetic dominance, which is the mode required for healing.
Bowen & Pregnancy As Bowen Therapy is so safe & gentle, it is particularly recommended for pregnancy, babies, children, the elderly, post-operatively and for recuperation. During pregnancy, hormonal changes soften ligaments in the pelvis ready for birth, which can reduce pelvic stability, putting increased stress on the spine. This, combined with the growing weight of the unborn baby, means there is a greater likelihood of injury.
Bowen can help: Address pelvic imbalances, ease pain and discomfort, ease muscular tension reducing risk of injury, improve circulation, relax mum-to-be.
What to expect during a treatment Bowen Therapy can either be done through light clothing or directly on the skin. You will always be draped with towels so that you feel completely comfortable at every stage during the treatment. The treatment is generally carried out on a treatment table although again there are exceptions.
An appointment for an adult takes one hour unless it is a follow-up for The Conception Protocol or other specific treatment which takes half an hour.
Between each set of moves, there is a break of 2 minutes to up to 20, depending on the area being treated. This is to allow time for the move to be integrated into the body.
A minimum of three appointments is recommended for optimum results, ideally spaced 7-10 days apart.
Some responses to the Bowen Treatment are immediate, others take a few days to be noticed. A Chiropractic adjustment or any other bodywork might interfere with this process, so If are currently having Chiropractic work please have your adjustment prior to your Bowen session, or no earlier than 7 days after your Bowen.
Bowen Therapy may assist the body to heal or help you manage:
Abdominal Pain
Adrenal Exhaustion
Allergies
Angina Pain
Ankle Problems
Arthritis
Backache
Bell's Palsy
Bronchitis, Coughs
Poor Circulation, Leg Cramps
Digestive Problems
Dizziness, Menieres Disease
Fluid Retention
Tennis Elbow, Frozen Shoulder, Golfer's Elbow
Gall Bladder Pain
Hammer Toes
Hiatus Hernia
Incontinence
Stress
Lactation Difficulties
Migraine, Heaches, Jaw Pain, TMJ issues
Sacral Pain, Pelvic Tilt, Sciatica
Respiratory Problems
BOWEN FOR BABIES
Bowen Therapy can be used on babies from a few days old.
Gentle and non-invasive, Bowen can help baby recover from the physical stresses of birth by forceps or vacuum suction to help the cranium, neck and jaw recover. It may also be beneficial for easing colic pain, projectile vomiting and soothing unsettled babies.
Bowen is also recommended for treating older babies and children who suffer from asthma, sinus problems, bedwetting and postural tension
BOWEN THERAPY FOR CHILDREN
The gentleness of Bowen Therapy makes it ideal for assisting children with:
Growing pains
Bed-wetting
Over-crowding teeth
Asthma, Colds, Coughs
Constipation
Headaches
Poor Posture
Co-ordination
Poor sleep patterns
Physical or Emotional Trauma
Bowen can be done through light clothing
& is deeply relaxing and calming
BOWEN THERAPY FOR INJURIES & SPORTS PEOPLE
Consider Bowen Therapy for:
Tennis Elbow
Frozen Shoulder
Golfer's Elbow
Back pain
Knee/Ankle/Foot problems
The Bowen Technique involves very gentle but direct manipulation of the Muscles, Tendons, Fascia, Ligaments, Joints and Nerves. It is increasingly being recognised as an effective remedial treatment for healing sports injuries. It also decreases the likelihood of injuries by releasing tension in muscles and rehydrating the fascia, helping increase range of motion. Bowen Therapy promotes optimum posture and gait - essential attributes for any sportsperson.
