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Bowen therapy

Bowen is a remedial body technique that is gentle and relaxing. It helps the body’s own healing resources to achieve balance and harmony, which can result in lasting relief from pain and discomfort. Benefits may be seen after the first session.

Integrated body response
Bowen therapy uses a vibrational energy, which makes it safe to use on anyone from newborns to the elderly for any complaint from sports injuries to chronic or organic conditions. Bowen facilitates the balancing of a range of conditions. It is a holistic treatment, which aims to treat the whole person. Bowen can help to improve:

  • Circulation
  • Lymphatic and venous draining
  • Assimilation of nutrients
  • Elimination of toxins
  • Joint mobility
  • Posture
  • Normalisation of cellular physiology and tissue integrity.
The procedure
A Bowen treatment consists of sequences of small moves, each at a specific site on the body. The treatment is pleasant as therapists use light cross-fibre manoeuvres of muscle, tendon or ligament with no forceful manipulation. You will be asked to lie down for up to one hour. You do not need to remove your clothes. During this time, the therapist may leave the room for periods of 2-5 minutes at a time to allow your muscles to make the changes necessary in your body before commencing the next sequence of moves. During the treatment, the therapist will discuss the importance of water intake and will recommend any other environmental or lifestyle changes necessary to maintain your wellbeing.

Bowen is not an ongoing therapy. In most cases, the recipient can expect substantial relief after just the first session and complete recovery within a maximum of three sessions, except in the case of chronic illness or repeat injury.

Bowen can help a range of disorders
Bowen balances the physical, mental and emotional planes. Some conditions that have responded well to Bowen include:
  • Sports and accident injuries
  • Frozen shoulders
  • Stress disorders
  • Neck and head tension
  • Whiplash
  • Musculoskeletal pain and imbalance
  • Respiratory and asthma complaints
  • Acute and chronic fatigue
  • Stroke
  • Bed wetting
  • Digestive problems
  • Menstrual complaints
  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Colic
  • Fatigue
  • Hormonal disorders
  • Hyperactive disorder
  • Learning difficulties
  • Sciatica
  • Scoliosis.
Special advice after your treatment
After having a Bowen treatment, it is strongly advised that you do not have any other physical therapy or other forms of manipulation - such as massage, chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture or kinesiology - for up to one week after the treatment. These things may undo the balance achieved through having a Bowen treatment. For the first week after treatment, you should also:
  • Avoid excessive heat or cold to areas that have been treated - for example, do not stand under the shower with hot water running on your neck.
  • Stop using an electric blanket or hot water bottle.
  • Have lukewarm, not hot, baths.
Your therapist may also advise you to:
  • Avoid sitting for any longer than 30 minutes at a time on the day of your visit.
  • Walk as much as possible for three days (at least 15 minutes per day).
  • Drink as much pure water as is comfortable (at least five glasses per day) to help flush toxins from the body.
  • Avoid stimulating substances like coffee (pain-killers and anti-inflammatory medications are okay, if necessary).
Reactions ranging from hot and cold flushes, emotional releases, headaches and body aches may be experienced. These reactions are a positive sign that the healing process is working.

Choosing a Bowen therapist
It is best to choose a registered therapist. The Bowen Therapists Association and Federation only enlist members who have adequate training at accredited institutions. These therapists must maintain their level of expertise by completing continuous study and workshops each year before they can renew their membership with the Association.

Buyer beware
Some alternative therapies do not have specific evidence to support their claims. Seeking alternative therapies for non-threatening complaints will do no harm, but it would be irresponsible to abandon medically proven treatments if you are suffering from a terminal or chronic disease. Sometimes, the two have been known to complement each other. Speak to your doctor and potential therapists about your condition. They can offer advice and provide testimonials.

Where to get help
  • Your doctor
  • Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia Tel. 1300 4 26936
Things to remember
  • A Bowen treatment consists of sequences of small moves, each at a specific site on the body.
  • Bowen therapy may help relieve a range of disorders.
  • Make sure you use a registered therapist.

    Related articles:

Ayurveda.
Herbal medicine.
Homeopathy.
Hypnosis.
Kinesiology.
Meditation.
Reiki.
Yoga.


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Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia

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Article publication date: 10/09/2002
Last reviewed: 30/09/2007

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