Bowen Therapy

A Bowen Technique treatment affects the body in ways, which promote healing, pain relief and recover of energy. The experience of the treatment is gentle, subtle and relaxing and it is these features which make The Bowen Technique so unique, Osteopaths, chiropractors, sports therapists and physiotherapists are among the many professional practitioners who use The Bowen Technique and all who practice it are continually amazed at the effectiveness of this simple and gentle form of “hands on” therapy.
Top

Where did Bowen originate?

The Bowen Technique was pioneered by Thomas Ambrose Bowen, born in 1916 in Geelong, Australia. After working in miscellaneous labouring jobs as a young man, he developed a great interest in massage and body work and spent time observing football trainers and others involved with sports. By the time he was in his early 40’s, this gifted man had established a full time practice in remedial therapy using the technique he had developed.
In 1978, when he was interviewed by a parliamentary committee looking into complementary medicine, he stated, under oath, that he treated about 280 patients per week with the help of an assistant and a receptionist – an incredible 13,000 patients a year, 88% of whom only required two or three treatment! Mr Bowen died in the early 1980’s but today there are a number of flourishing therapies based on his work.

How does it work?

A Bowen Technique treatment allows the body to reset and heal itself. A treatment will take approximately 45 minutes. The work consists of several series of gently rolling, connective tissue moves through light-weight clothing (or on skin).

There are frequent important pauses between sets of moves, which give the body time to benefit from each set. By selecting appropriate combinations and sequences of moves, the practitioner is able to address the body as a whole, and/or to target one or more specific problems.

The client usually lies on a bed or bodywork table or, for comfort, in a chair. However, Bowen can be done anywhere.
Top

How frequent will your treatment be?

Two or three treatments, at weekly intervals, are often sufficient
to achieve lasting relief from even long standing pain, although further treatments may sometimes be required
Top

How will you respond to treatment?

Each person responds differently, at different rates and to different degrees. You will respond according to your own body's ability to heal. In addition, the length of time that the condition has been present can also be a factor in a person’s recovery rate. Bowen Technique addresses the entire body holistically. You may see improvements in conditions that you forget to mention to your practitioner, even if they are located far from where the practitioner touches you.
Top

What can Bowen safely treat?

Common presenting problem include back and neck pain, knee problems, sports injuries, RSI, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and respiratory conditions. Conditions such as chronic fatigue, hay fever, headache, kidney problems and problems requiring lymphatic drainage have responded favourably to The Bowen Technique. Some people use The Bowen Technique as a means of stress management and health maintenance, seeing therapist regularly 2-4 times a year.
The Bowen Technique also addresses many other conditions. It is generally regarded as safe and effective for people of all ages
Top

Should my doctor know?

If you are receiving treatment from your doctor then it makes sense to tell him or her about your plans to have Bowen Treatment. The Bowen treatment may enable to reduce or even stop taking some forms of medication, but your doctor should be consulted regarding any change or prescription.

Although Bowen therapy may provide relief, it should not be considered a substitute for conventional medical treatments
Top

Below are just a few conditions that treatments can help to assist

ADD / ADHD
Colic In Infants
Gynecological Issues (PMS, Difficulty Conceiving, Menopausal Symptoms)
Headaches, Including Migraines
Hiatus Hernia, Reflux
Indigestion, Constipation, Diarrhoea
Back Pain — Lower, Upper, Mid-Back
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,
Fibromyalgia
Frozen Shoulder
Groin Tension Or Pain
Hammer Toes
Hamstring Pain Or Tightness
Jaw Pain / Misalignment
Knee Pain
Neck Pain, Restricted Range Of Motion
Plantar Fasciitis
Sciatica, Sacro-Iliac Pain
Scoliosis
Shin Splints
Sporting Injuries
Sprained Ankles
Sternal Pain, Spring Ribs
Tennis Elbow
Top

The benefits of Bowen: case histories
(Source: European College of Bowen Studies)

INFANT COLIC

Boy aged 4 months, 1 treatment
J was sufferings from severe colic after meals which was distressing for him and for his parents. During the Bowen treatment, the baby seemed to relax completely. After this one treatment he had no further colic.
Top

FROZEN SHOULDER

Man aged 62, 3 treatments
A D arrived with a frozen shoulder that had restricted his natural arm movement to less than 20% of normal. The shoulder was exceedingly painful to lie on and as an active man keen on amateur dramatics it was making life difficult. He was seen three times, after which the shoulder had returned to 100% range of movement with no further pain.
Top

SCIATICA

Man aged 40, 1 treatment
P was unable to put weight on his right foot and was in severe pain from the buttock right down the leg. He was extremely tense and tight. The therapist gave him one treatment, observing P's body relaxing during the 40 minutes of the treatment. He was virtually pain free when he got up and was walking normally.
Two years later, the problem has not returned.
Top

PAIN - LOWER BACK INTO HIPS & KNEE

Top

ARTHRITIS, WHIPLASH AND FALL

Woman aged 58, series of treatments
J is overweight with arthritis in both knees (for 23 years) which had spread to her neck, right foot and right hand.
She had also had a whiplash injury twice and fell at work 11 years ago, pulling the ligaments from the backbone to the hips. Her job requires her to do quite a lot of lifting and carrying. After a few weeks of Bowen treatment her knees were much better. Following treatment on her hamstrings the results were amazing. She couldn't remember when she last had that amount of flexibility in her knees. Further treatments brought the same results to other parts of her body. Headaches due to the arthritis are also gone.
Top

SPORTS INJURY

Man aged 25, 4 treatments
As a cricketer and rugby player, his left leg was in a brace following cartilage removal and damage to the AC ligament. His right leg was m plaster nearly to the knee due to further ligament problems and he was on anti-inflammatory tablets. Some severe pain followed the first Bowen treatment and the left knee became temporarily more swollen. However, after four treatments the hospital verdict was that the knees were now very stable and that a further anticipated operation would no longer be necessary.
Top

INJURY AFTER FALL

Woman aged 80, 5 treatments
When B was 75 she had a bad fall from a ladder which broke under her and a piece of it went through her left leg. A steel plate had to be attached to her leg with thick screws. When B first went for Bowen treatment, her left knee was solid, swollen, red and hot. With the first treatment, the swelling went down noticeably, the skin colour was normal and she could see her ankles! Two weeks later, she arrived for a second treatment with some swelling and redness which had returned, but was not as severe as it had been. From then on the improvement was steady and without relapse. After five treatments, the leg was very much better and she could wear normal shoes and sandals.
Top

Bowen Testimonies

To preserve confidentiality, I have only included patients' initials.

The following case histories are included to demonstrate the power and effectiveness of Treatment. It's importance to remember that although we are mentioning the resolutions to certain conditions, this does not create a blanket cure for all the named problems. Majority of the therapies treats the body as a whole, without referral to a named disease, but naturally enough there are a lot of situations whereby presenting problems are resolved.

Where SUD scales are used 10 = Bad 0 = Good Top

Patient Testimonial:
Top

Top

Patient Testimonial:
Top

Top

Patient Testimonial:
Top

Top

Patient Testimonial:
Top

Top

Patient Testimonial:
Top

Top

Patient Testimonial:
Top

I went to see Nayana after feeling ill for several weeks. I had been to the doctors and I had also been in hospital twice. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and also with suffering from a virus.
I explained to Nayana that I felt as if I had had a body breakdown. I couldn’t sleep, I felt exhausted and I felt I couldn’t breath properly. Nayana suggested a course of Bowen therapy and also gave me some breathing exercised to do. After the first session I couldn’t believe the difference immediately I felt my energy levels rose and I felt I could not breath properly for the first time in weeks. After each session I felt a definite improvement in my health, although not as dramatic as after the first session. My sleeping pattern also improved, so that by the end of the course I was sleeping through the night for the first time in months. I also noticed that an existing neck problem also improved during the course of the treatment, giving me more mobility in my neck.
On Nayana advice, I am continuing to do my breathing exercised daily as hopefully they will help to lower my blood pressure and also reduce my cholesterol.

By the end of the course not only did I feel much better physically but I also felt much better mentally. Nayana helped me to relax, feel more confident in myself and also think about what was important in my life. I will definitely be going back to see Nayana in the next few weeks for further treatment. Thank you very much Nayana for your help!!”
LE (Female 40)

Top

Patient Testimonial:
Top

" On my first sessions I had lots of issues, I was not happy at home or work. I felt that on-one understood me, and felt lost, tired and at a dead end. I just wanted to switch off and just sleep. My concentration level was poor and I lacked focus on anything positive. I found that everyday pressures were taking hold of my entire life, making me feel like there was no tomorrow or time to relax. The only thing I found motivated was to go to the gym and sauna to switch off and escape. However soon after my treatment, I had an accident at work, and hurt my elbow badly and felt really rough. I found the treatment relaxing and calming.

By the third session I was ready to venture back to work, being more focused and motivated to achieve my goals, without the stress. Letting go has been my biggest achievement. People matter, but I matter more. I have learned to re channel the way I think in to a positive direction.
Just like to Thank You Nayana, for your help, over the last few weeks, of my life."
DP (female 41)

Top