Bowen Therapy
What is Bowen Technique?
The Bowen Technique is a gentle non-intrusive remedial hands-on complementary therapy ideal for all age groups with conditions from sports injuries to chronic and organic complaints.
Brief history
The Bowen Technique was developed in the 1950s by an Australian therapist called Tom Bowen. Tom Bowen started out treating work related and sports injuries and soon discovered that a gentle and more subtle approach was more effective in helping the body to heal than many of the manipulation based therapies around at that time.
Over time the therapy gained popularity amongst health professionals and body rehabilitators and courses were first offered in Australia in the late 1980s and eventually in the UK in 1993.
How it works
The Bowen technique is based on the theory that gentle, subtle movements over specific areas may prompt the body’s natural capabilities to relieve restriction, pain and imbalances without the necessity of deep soft tissue manipulation or forceful therapy treatment.
The practitioner applies gentle pressure using thumbs, fingers on precise points of the body combined with a series of rolling-type movements. The technique is interspersed with frequent pauses to stimulate the body tissues. It is suggested that the Bowen techniques applied over the skin, or light clothing prompts the body to respond, reset and balance itself to improve function and well-being. Those that experience the Bowen Technique are surprised or even put out due to the light and subtle pressure applied by the therapist especially if they are used to deep tissue therapy.
Our highly trained therapist has both practical and theoretical ability and will not just treat you with the Bowen technique your treatment will benefit you in many other ways as well. We will help you understand the problem and give you insights into the prevention of future injury and pain, helping you to achieve a full recovery and well-being.
Is Bowen Technique suitable for me?
The Bowen Technique is suitable for everyone from whether you are pregnant, have a sports or recent injury or problem that has been long lasting.
The Bowen Technique is not a miracle cure rather than a complementary one (aims to help the body’s own healing mechanisms) and responses are individual. People often experience improvement after one or two sessions. These can include:-
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Reduces stress levels
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Promotes physical and emotional quality and enjoyment of life
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Increases energy levels
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Helps to rebalance the body’s well-being
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Reduces tissue tension
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Induces deep relaxation of muscle and nerve fibres (helps relieve chronic pain arising from overuse injuries)
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Helps to restore the body’s vital energy flow (through the stimulation of meridian pathways)
There is a wide range of acute to chronic conditions for which the Bowen Technique has assisted (e.g. sports injuries, traumatic injuries, tension, stress and sleep problems). Outcomes may range from rapid remission to significant improvement in presenting problems such as mobility, stress, pain and general well-being.
Bowen treatments can last approximately for 20-60mins. Most often it is surprisingly how few sessions are needed to help alleviate complaints whether structural or functional even if long standing and the results may hold for a long time generally until there is a re-injury.
The Science
The Bowen Technique addresses the entire body by promoting balance via the autonomic nervous system (ANS), cell receptors and fascia connective tissue. It is suggested that the ANS controls approximately 80% of the human body functions which can be vulnerable to external stressors. Cell receptors play a vital part in cellular communications and signalling changes.
Fascia connects the whole body in a communicative network. The Bowen Therapist sends signals to the body by specific areas (on muscles, tendons, ligaments or nerves), and the body does the rest, responding in its own time, as it is able.
The Bowen Technique is considered useful for every day aches and pains, stresses and strains as a beneficial addition to maintain and support health and well-being thereby promoting a balanced lifestyle.
Click on the links below for more information on:-
An Introduction To The Evidence of Massage