Bowen therapy is a gentle therapeutic treatment consisting of a series of mild deliberate moves (on the skin or through light clothing), with the client usually lying on a treatment bed, although it is possible to be treated seated for those in a wheelchair or those who may find it difficult to lie down. 

Bowen therapy moves stimulate your body’s own repair system to encourage various structures beneath the skin to return to a place of equilibrium. This commonly involves the connective tissue, muscles, tendons, bones and joints. 

A Bowen therapy session usually lasts up to one hour and frequently results in a deep sense of relaxation, allowing the body to recalibrate and balance itself.

Advantages:

• Safe
• Performed through clothing
• No vigorous manipulation
• Gentle, stimulating and healing
• Improves mobility, balances and detoxifies the body
• Improves circulation along with lymphatic and venous drainage
• Assists body to absorb nutrients
• Address both physical and emotional issues
• Improves rehabilitation time regardless of when the injury occurred
• Substantial relief often achieved after one session.

Top of Page

The History of the Bowen Technique

The Bowen Technique was developed by Tom Bowen from Geelong Australia over seven decades ago. He studied the intricate circuitry of the nervous system where it was determined that epicentres existed between the fascia/connective tissue and the muscles.

By performing a series of simple, gentle, non-invasive moves across this tissue and muscles, the body is stimulated to redirect its energy along nerve pathways encouraging the body to heal. Light pressure touch and movement across muscle fibres encourages the muscles to relax, balance the body and begin the healing process.

Movement is restored, breathing becomes easier, toxins are flushed away by a more efficient lymphatic system.

Bowen works within the body releasing tension, stress and anxiety, along with aches and pains. All systems of the body are accessed allowing muscle and nerve tissue to relax. The result being an increase in circulation, the body becomes energized and rebalanced according to its unique genetic blueprint resulting in healing and well-being.

Bowen therapy is gentle and suitable for all ages from newborns to the elderly (Life24Health’s oldest client being almost 98 years).

• The movements themselves are gentle, which is a surprise to most and a relief to many.
• This doesn’t mean we don’t find tender or pain points along the way.
• We do, but this is just the sort of information your body uses to shift from where it is when you arrive.

Top of Page

The Significance of Bowen Therapy and our Nervous System

Structurally, the nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord, while the PNS consists of all the neural tissues outside the CNS. Namely, these structures are the cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and peripheral ganglia.

The peripheral part of the nervous system can also be broken down functionally. By this classification, the nervous system consists of the somatic nervous system (SNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS). The somatic nervous system is a voluntary part of the nervous system. It consists of the sensory and motor nerves. Somatic sensory nerves carry the sensory information from the skin, joints and muscles to the CNS, while the somatic motor nerves innervate skeletal muscles and enable us to move them upon our will.

The autonomic nervous system, however, contains only the motor nerves. These nerves control the involuntary functions of the body viscera (the internal organs in the main cavities of the body, especially those in the abdomen, i.e. the intestines.) namely the smooth and cardiac muscles, as well as the glands. The ANS is further subdivided into the sympathetic nervous system (SANS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PANS). These two subdivisions cause opposite effects on the bodily organs, but their synchronized activity is essential for maintaining a constant internal environment within the body.

The sympathetic nervous system directs the body's rapid involuntary response to dangerous or stressful situations. A flash flood of hormones boosts the body's alertness and heart rate, sending extra blood to the muscles.

While the sympathetic system is also important at rest, it is essential for preparing us for emergencies, in other words, for “fight-or-flight” responses. If you have ever been scared or anxious, attacked or threatened, you have basically experienced activation of your sympathetic system. To prepare yourself for an emergency in a “fight-or-flight” response, the sympathetic system activates numerous complex pathways and components to achieve faster breathing, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilation of pupils, changes in blood flow, so blood leaves the skin, stomach and intestines and goes to the brain, heart and muscles where it’s needed, increased sweating and “goose-bumps” as the hair on your skin stands on end; all those things you feel during a fight-or-flight response.

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's rest and digestion response when the body is relaxed, resting, or feeding. It basically undoes the work of sympathetic division after a stressful situation. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases respiration and heart rate and increases digestion.

Top of Page

Bowen in the use of Stress and Anxiety

We know someone with heightened stress and anxiety have difficulty relaxing, their nervous system is in a sympathetic dominant state, switched on all the time.

The sympathetic system (see above) is about ‘fight or flight’, in other words ‘trying to survive’. This is not a healthy way to live.

We should in fact be living more in a balanced state of sympathetic and parasympathetic state. This is where the body can heal itself, it can maintain, repair, digest food and rest better.

Bowen is seen to be able to help reduce stress and anxiety levels even at a subconscious level along with slowing people down internally, bringing about a more balanced state for healing.

Top of Page

Bowen Therapy and Concussion

Bowen Therapy is a complementary therapy that may assist in the treatment of concussion through a treatment protocol. 

Bowen Therapy is also non-invasive and may assist in the treatment of all stages of concussion including Post-Concussion Syndrome and Acute concussion.

• Post-concussion Syndrome (otherwise known as Long Standing Concussion) is defined as having symptoms for 28 days or more
• Acute concussion: symptoms for 3-5 days 

Definition of Concussion:

A brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body. 

Occurs from a mild blow to the head, either with or without loss of consciousness, and can lead to temporary cognitive symptoms.

Can affect memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance and muscle coordination.

People often report a brief period of amnesia or forgetfulness, where they cannot remember what happened immediately before or after the injury. 

• They may act confused, dazed or describe “seeing stars.”
• Concussion symptoms can affect people in a variety of ways, including vision, balance and even mood.

Common Symptoms of Concussion:

• Confusion
• Headache
• Vision disturbances (double or blurry vision)
• Dizziness or imbalance
• Nausea or vomiting
• Memory loss
• Ringing ears
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sensitivity to light
• Loss of smell or taste
• Trouble falling asleep 

Top of Page

Benefits of Bowen Therapy

MOBILTY   -   HEALTH   -   WELL-BEING

Bowen Therapy is extremely gentle and is considered appropriate for anyone from pregnant women to newborn babies, the frail and the elderly. It can assist recovery from many conditions, from traumatic injury to chronic illness, depending upon each individual’s capacity to heal. No adverse side effects have been reported.

Bowen Therapy may offer relief from pain, long-term injuries and illnesses, improved health and flexibility, improved sporting performance, relaxation, and emotional and mental well-being.

Is Bowen Therapy for you?

Are you troubled with any of the following problems?

• Sport and Work-related Injuries
• Concussion
• Lower and Upper Back problems including Sciatica
• Scoliosis/Kyphosis problems, Sprung Ribs etc
• Chest pain
• Pelvic Tilt, Leg length issues, Hip pain, Sacral/Coccyx problems
• Hamstring injuries, Quadricep issues, Knee and Ankle injuries/pain
• Sprained Ankles, Achilles’ tendon issues, Plantar Fasciitis, Bunion, Hammer Toe etc
• Shoulder & Arm pain/restriction, Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow, RSI pain, Carpal Tunnel
• Neck issues including Whiplash, Headaches & Migraines
• Respiratory & Asthma issues, Hay fever & Sinus problems
• Ear, Nose, Throat and Eye problems
• Temporomandibular (TMJ - Jaw) joint pain/problems – grinding of teeth and misalignment of the jaw
• Stress, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression & Grief problems
• Lymphatic drainage/flow problems and lymphoedema post Mastectomy, Fluid retention
• Chronic fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia other autoimmune conditions, ADHD, Autism and Epilepsy
• Helps with poor mobility caused by Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Surgery, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and other Neurodegenerative disorders
• Increase Joint mobility for Arthritis/Rheumatoid arthritis with reduced generalized body soreness and stiffness
• BABIES - Baby Bowen for Feeding problems including Sucking, Reflux, Colic, Unsettledness, Constipation and more
• GYNAECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS - Menstrual pain, irregular or absent cycle, Hormone issues, Infertility issues, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Prolapse problems, Incontinence, Menopausal symptom, Hot Flushes, Teenage period pain, Umbilical issues, Pelvic floor problems
• PREGNANCY ISSUES - Lower Back and or Sacral pain, Symphysis Pubis/Groin pain, Restless/Aching Legs, Morning sickness
• MALE PROBLEMS – Male reproductive problems, Prostate problems, Inguinal Hernia’s, hormonal problems, Bladder problems
• Digestive and Bowel problems including IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
• CHILDREN – Bed wetting, eczema, respiratory issues, (croup, asthma etc)
• Skin ailments

and more...

Top of Page

How will I feel after my Bowen Treatment?

• Some clients feel like nothing has changed, others feel light headed, others have a sense of feeling lighter, looser and more energised.
• Just like other forms of bodywork, you may feel the effects of the treatment the following day. This is a sign of one or more of your bodies systems responding to the Bowen treatment.
• You may feel lethargic for 24 - 48 hours, this will depend on your body’s needs as you commence the healing process.

Top of Page

Important things to do after your Bowen Treatment

• Drinking water is a vital part of hydrating the body and flushing toxins, Bowen works better when your body is hydrated.
• You will need to drink 1.5 - 2 litres of water a day (it’s a good habit to get into long term).
• Don’t sit for long periods, it’s important to take short walks.
• Avoid aggressive exercise/sport for 24 hours post treatment.
• Don’t apply heat or cold packs to injured area or take hot showers whilst receiving treatment.
• Don’t mix other modalities (massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic etc) for at least a week after your Bowen treatment.

Top of Page