Bowen Therapy Explained
What does the treatment involve?
- A course of Bowen Therapy rarely takes more than three consultations. Treatment can be performed through light clothing. Heavy fabrics (e.g. denim) are difficult to work though and should be avoided.
- Routinely, treatment takes place on a treatment couch. If this is unsuitable e.g. individuals with back pain or those who are pregnant, then a chair may be used for comfort. Children are managed with the parent’s involvement and in a suitably informal way.
- The practitioner uses the pads of fingers and thumbs to apply minimal (gentle) pressure rolling over various key areas of soft tissue, muscle and ligament. Many of these small movements are made during a treatment session.
- During a Bowen treatment, the therapist regularly leaves the room. Each break is only a few minutes long, but provides the body with the time it requires to respond to the subtle and gentle influence of Bowen.
- Bowen Therapy does not involve massage, deep tissue movement, joint manipulation or repeated pressure moves.
- For those of you who are extremely busy, treatments can be provided in the work place.
Where did Bowen originate?
The Bowen Technique was developed in the 1950’s by Tom Bowen an Australian living in Geelong. Despite having no formal health training he soon became a celebrated therapist. He showed a remarkable intuitive ability as well as a dogged belief in his technique. Tom was a determined character, overcoming profound deafness and later leg amputation due to diabetes. His caseload developed to phenomenal levels. Over 80% of these men, women and children needing only a few (two or three) Bowen Therapy sessions to restore health. Tom did not believe in wasting peoples' money.
A small group of six men worked with Tom during this period, learning the basics of his skill. After Toms his death in 1982, the trainees went on to teach their interpretation of the technique. Bowen Therapy finally found its way to Britain in 1995. Now, Bowen Therapy has international presence and acclaim.