What Is Bowen Therapy?
Bowen Therapy, also known as Bowen Technique, is a holistic neuromuscular reflex therapy that helps the body to achieve its natural balance and healing. It is performed by targeting the fascia, or the soft connective tissue that envelops, separates, and influences every other tissue and organ in the body. This remedial body technique is gentle and relaxing and does not require useful manipulation.
Bowen Therapy was first developed by Australian Tom Bowen in the 1950s. He first started using this method to help his wife manage her asthma until she no longer needs to take any medicines or hospitalization. Later on, this method is used to address other conditions as well. Due to his rising popularity in alternative treatment, in 1974, he invited natural therapist Oswald Rentsch and his wife Elaine to help him study and document his work.
How Does Bowen Therapy Work?
The Bowen Technique relaxes tight muscles, ligaments and tendons using a gentle rolling movement. It focuses on the stress areas of the body, usually the back of the legs, glutes, small of the back and the upper region of the back. Using their thumbs and fingers, the practitioner engages the muscles in the affected areas and rolls it towards the spine. Bowen Therapy doesn't entail pressure or intense manipulation, so it's definitely designed for everyone, even people who are suffering from chronic conditions.
What Are the Benefits of Bowen Therapy?
Depending on the person's capacity to heal, Bowen Therapy can assist a person to recover from many conditions, ranging from traumatic injuries to chronic illnesses. So far, no adverse side effects have been reported. It should be remembered that this is a holistic therapy that aims to treat the cause of the underlying problem, rather than just the symptoms.
Bowen Therapy is effective in dealing with muscular-skeletal problems such as ankle, knee, back and neck pain. The following are other health problems that can be addressed by Bowen Therapy:
- Stress
- Asthma
- Dizziness
- Migraines/ Headaches
- Digestive problems
- Allergies
- Fatigue
- Bladder problems
- Frozen Shoulder
- Whiplash
- Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI)
- Facial or dental pain
- Blood pressure problems
- Sleep disorders
- Scoliosis
- Sports injuries
- Respiratory problems
What Can You Expect From Bowen Therapy?
A therapy session can last for 30 minutes to an hour. Before getting down to the treatment process, the Bowen therapist will assess the client and ask about their pain and discomfort. A client is advised to wear loose, comfortable clothing to make it easier for the therapist to palpate the muscles in question.
After performing the first set of moves, the therapist leaves the client to relax for a few minutes. As well as giving the muscles time to soften, the short break also activates the body's ability to self-heal. Not everybody requires a follow-up session, but those with chronic conditions will need at least three therapy sessions to completely resolve their problem.
Is Bowen Therapy Safe?
The Bowen Technique is safe and noninvasive. Unlike other forms of manual therapies, it doesn't apply pressure to the body, just gentle rolling movements. This is what makes it safe and beneficial for anyone. Even newborns, pregnant women, elderly people and frail individuals will benefit from this holistic approach to healing.
