What is Bowen Therapy?
Bowen therapy is a holistic, hands-on therapy developed by Australian Tom Bowen in the 1950s. It focuses on stretching the fascia, the soft tissue surrounding the muscle, for the relief of pain and a wide range of health problems, including arthritis, chronic fatigue, sciatica, sports injuries, menstrual pain and stress. Using gentle rolling hand movements, the therapist works on the muscles, tendons and ligaments to support the body's natural healing mechanism.
Why Study Bowen Therapy?
The knowledge that you gain from a Bowen therapy course will help jump-start your career in complementary medicine or further it to greater heights. Whether you're a massage therapist, chiropractor, naturopath or have never done manual therapy before, you will benefit a great deal from the Bowen technique in terms of health and career. Unlike other procedures which pose a certain level of pain after a treatment session, this technique has no side effects, thus safe for people of all ages―even babies!
What Does It Take to Study Bowen Therapy or Become a Practitioner of It?
To be an effective practitioner of Bowen therapy, you must possess good listening and communication skills to be able to understand the issue of a client and explain the Bowen procedure to them. Having an inclination for anatomy and physiology also helps as this will enable you to grasp how the body responds to the hand movements employed in this modality.
Course and Study Options for Bowen Therapy
Beginners are advised to attend a short course, or weekend workshop, to learn the history, basic principles and rolling motion involved in the Bowen technique. From here, you can move on to a Certificate IV training program which lays the foundation for your career with a rich curriculum that comprises advanced Bowen techniques for different body systems, stress management and manipulation of infants, among many others.
Current practitioners of Bowen therapy, who are looking to take their careers to a specialised field, can undertake a diploma-level qualification. Taking a short practitioner course will also count towards their continuing education hours.
You can study Bowen therapy in a typical classroom setting, via online classes or through a blended learning system. It's important that you choose a learning method which aligns with your schedule, needs and goals to achieve the best outcome.
How to Choose a School or Course in Bowen Therapy
Bowen therapy is in a class of its own, so you want to make sure that the school which you enrol in clings to the underlying principles of the modality. Scrutinise their curriculum, enquire about their members of faculty and check if they are accredited by the Bowen Association of Australia (BAA).
You also want to ask about the course fees, course duration and delivery methods. To assist you in the selection of qualified learning institutions, we have listed above Australia's top-notch Bowen therapy course providers. Check out their offerings and take the time to speak with a course adviser from each institution to find the best fit.
