Bowen Therapy
Bowen Therapy
About Bowen Therapy in Coventry
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
- Bunions
- 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
The benefits of Bowen: case histories
(Source: European College of Bowen Studies)
INFANT COLIC | FROZEN SHOULDER | SCIATICA |PAIN - LOWER BACK INTO HIPS & KNEE | ARTHRITIS, WHIPLASH AND FALL | SPORTS INJURY | INJURY AFTER FALL |
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.
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.
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.
PAIN - LOWER BACK INTO HIPS & KNEE
Woman aged 26, 3 treatments
F is a very tall (6'2") nursery nurse, so works with tiny people and furniture all day, She had had this problem for 2 - 3 years. MRI scans had not revealed any cause for the pains and physiotherapy treatment had been to no avail. After the second Bowen treatment she said "it is 99% better than it was". After three treatments, the problem was completely gone and the resolution holding.
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.
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.
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.
