What is Bowen Therapy
Bowen Therapy is a wonderfully unique and restorative bodywork technique developed in Australia by Thomas Bowen in the 1950′s. It gently resets dysfunctional tension patterns in muscles and nerves that are causing discomfort and pain. Bowen Therapy elicits deep healing responses within the body on many different levels – physical, chemical, emotional, mental, energetic and spiritual.
Unlike many other hands-on therapies, Bowen does not attempt to force the body to change. Instead, it prompts the body to recognize the imbalance and release unhealthy tension patterns that can stall or sidetrack our innate healing mechanisms.
During a Bowen session, the practitioner uses her thumbs/fingers to “roll” over muscles, tendons and fascia at specific locations on the body. Strategic pauses allow the nervous system to integrate the signals that are being generated by the moves.
These specialized moves reset tension levels in the soft tissues and also alert the autonomic nervous system to shift from “fight or flight” mode to “rest, relax and repair” mode, letting the body know ‘the emergency is over.’ By creating a deep state of relaxation, Bowen supports the whole body in healing itself.
Scientific study shows that psychological stress affects the body's ability to regulate inflammation and can promote disease in the body. Many people choose Bowen as support for stress management and relaxation, which in turn promotes greater health. Clients often report feeling more centered after Bowenwork and able to cope better with everyday stresses, as well as improved immune function.
What Conditions Does Bowen Therapy Address?
Bowenwork® is appropriate for everyone, including newborns, highly trained athletes, pregnant women, and the elderly and infirm, even if they can’t receive other types of body therapy.
People throughout the world have found lasting relief from lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, sports injuries, sprains, knee pain, shoulder restrictions, carpal tunnel, whiplash, migraines, headaches, TMJ, chronic sinus infections, fibromyalgia, neurological, digestive problems and countless other conditions. Psychological effects after a session are also reported, such as increased ability to focus, elevated mood, and improved quality of sleep.
For a more complete list of health conditions* Bowen addresses, please click here.
Bowen Therapy has also been used as support for people experiencing times of stress and trauma, life threatening disease, and also as a companion therapy to other non-bodywork therapies such as counseling, palliative care and meditation. In addition, Bowen Therapy can be a great help in improving the quality of life for those who are terminally ill.
Bowen can be of assistance in many cases of emotional stress where relaxation is essential for easing pain and anxiety. It has also been shown to assist with trauma release, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Clients experiencing PTSD are often stuck in “fight or flight.” Bowen Therapy balances the autonomic nervous system and helps the body get out of survival mode. Once the ANS is in balance, the body will eventually release the need to be constantly on guard, and will know it is safe to start using its resources to heal.
Each person responds differently to a Bowen session, according to his or her own body's need and ability to heal.
* Bowen Therapy is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other health provider for any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.
What Can I Expect During A Session?
A typical Bowenwork session at PlanetBowen lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes and is usually done with the client lying on a massage table, but can also be done in a sitting position if necessary. Clients are asked to wear light, loose clothing so that the practitioner can easily palpate the muscles and perform the Bowen moves. For many conditions, people see improvement in 3-5 sessions one week apart and for those with more chronic issues, additional sessions may be necessary.
During a Bowen session, most clients become extremely relaxed and often report sensations such as profoundly letting go, sinking or melting into the table, warmth, floating, deep quiet and peace, tingling, electrical impulses, or twitching. Some people feel shifts in their bodies during and after a Bowen session. While many experience immediate pain relief, improvement is just as likely to unfold over the next few days to a week, and is usually long-lasting.