What is the Bowen Technique?

The body is the healer and however tempting it might be, we have to resist the desire to keep pushing and pushing to get a result.   The Bowen Therapy balances and stimulates energy flows, resulting in a deep sense of overall relaxation. The restorative process begins once the body is relaxed, and continues as the body allows

The Bowen Technique is a holistic, non-intrusive and gentle therapy which encourages the body to re-align itself with no manipulation or adjustment of hard tissue.  It is a therapy that facilitates the bodies healing process and the body will prioritise what it will heal first. 

The Bowen Technique was pioneered by Tom Bowen (1916 – 1982) from Geelong, Australia.  Tom Bowen thought of himself as an ‘initiator or facilitator’ for the body correcting and healing itself.  He felt his moves were either ‘positive’ or ‘negative’.  Positive moves excited energy flow while negative moves block or reflected that energy.  These energy ‘signals’ then challenged the brain to ‘remember’ how the body structure should be and to do what was necessary to balance and re-align itself.

  

A Bowen therapist will use thumbs and fingers on precise points in the body to make rolling type movements.  This movement will disturb muscles, soft tissue and energy within the body.  Between each set of moves, the therapist will allow the body to rest and will leave the room.  This gives the body time to make subtle and fine adjustments to relieve tension, reduce pain and initiate the healing process. 

The gentle yet powerful Bowen moves send neurological impulses to the brain resulting in immediate responses of muscle relaxation and pain reduction. The moves create energy surges which are concentrated in specific areas of the body.  Electrical impulses sent to the nervous system remind the body to regain normal movement in joints, muscles and tendons. This helps relieve muscle spasms and tension and assist recovery from injury. 

The Bowen moves can:

§     Stimulate energy flow

§     Facilitate lymphatic drainage of toxins and waste

§     Promote good circulation

§     Release tension

§     Increase mobility

§     Encourage the body to relax, realign and heal itself

With the stresses and strains of today, some people choose to have treatments as a means of stress management and health maintenance.

As the Bowen Technique is facilitating the body to heal and re-align itself, it is recommended that it should not be mixed with other therapies.