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The Bowen Technique

'Quite simply one of the most straight forward

and effective 'hands on therapies available'

Click here to view BTER video explaining how Bowen Technique works in a clear and easy to understand way.

Topics click on the following links to view.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
 
* What is The Bowen Technique?
* How does it work?
* How is it different from other therapies?
* Does Bowen work on meridians?
* Is Bowen a form of massage?
* How Many treatments will I need to have?
* What can it treat?

 

What is The Bowen Technique?

The Bowen Technique is a remedial therapy tool. That is, it is used by therapists to mainly help people who are in pain or discomfort for one reason or another. It is a gentle therapy that works over the soft tissue of the client and features lots of rests in between moves to allow the body to start working with the information. Developed by Tom Bowen, many valid forms of his work exist in the world today.

 

How does it work?

There have been many theories put forward in the past relating to why Bowen works and many still, who with a simple naivety believe that we don't need to know. They may have a point, but these days there is much more that we can understand and acceptance from the medical community and wider use of the technique by health professionals, will come from a better understanding of what happens during a Bowen treatment. Recently the concept of the way in which the brain reacts to neural stimulus has been looked at in more detail and is the subject of ongoing research by ECBS. The brain emits in the region of 600,000 signals per second, all of which both send out signals and in turn receive information from the body. A muscular movement for example begins from the primary motor cortex at the front of the brain and is sent, via the spinal cord, to the arm or leg where it is translated into movement. In order to gauge this however, the brain needs to receive a signal telling it what is happening and what to do next and this it does via the parietal lobe of the brain. The effect is a kind of looping circuit travelling at massive speeds, sending and receiving information. A Bowen move which is a series of gentle rolling moves, followed by breaks at certain intervals, interferes with this signal and creates another set of parameters for the brain to examine. Once the brain starts to reorder the signals it is also able to reinterpret the information coming from other areas, an example of why Bowen will often set of reactions in areas that haven't been treated.An example of this kind of signalling comes from Dr V. S. Ramachandran, a neurologist in the USA. In his work with amputees who suffer from phantom pains, he came across one man who was experiencing a clenching sensation in his amputated hand. By using a mirror to reflect the intact hand, the looping signal from the brain that was creating pain, was changed, as the brain 'saw' two hands and stopped the "clench" signal to the amputated hand.Research is continuing in this area but explains a lot of the peculiarities surrounding Bowen, especially the serendipity of the treatment, whereby areas not treated are often affected by Bowen.

 

How is it different from other therapies, such as Chiropractic, Osteopathy or physiotherapy?

All these therapies are excellent therapies, but Bowen differs in several respects. Osteopaths and chiropractors often use adjustments, or 'cracks' to realign the structure of the body. They will make a diagnosis of the patient and treat the area of concern along with a holistic  body treatment in mind. With Bowen therapy the approach is rather different. The therapist will take a case history, but the treatment does not set out to treat specific conditions or ailments, nor will the therapist diagnose. Instead the body is treated as a whole unit, without referral to named disease. For instance if someone came to a Bowen therapist with cancer, we would not claim to be able to help the cancer or even to treat it. Instead we are trying to help the individual.for more info' on osteopathy see www.osteopathy.org.uk.

 

Does Bowen work on meridians or acupuncture points?

While one can see that there are points that are on or very close to acupuncture points, this is not the approach that is taught. Many practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine comment on the moves and their relationship to meridian points, but there is nothing consistent enough to draw comparisons. Tom Bowen drew much of his knowledge from books and an understanding of meridian points seems quite probable

.Is Bowen a form of massage?

No not really. The treatment can be performed through light clothing and no oils or prolonged pressure is used. At the same time there is no rubbing or friction in the move, which uses the movement of skin to effect a rolling type of action over the muscle.

 

How Many treatments will I need to have?

There are no guarantees here, because everyone responds differently, but on average the number of treatments required for say, a stiff neck or back is around three. Some problems need more treatments and some even less, but what won't happen is that you will be required to have a long course of treatment, only to find that it hasn't helped. Although there are never any promises, you should in most cases start to see change fairly quickly.What can it treat?Although we say that we do not treat specific conditions, there are of course many cases of certain conditions being helped with The Bowen Technique.  In any situation there is no condition which Bowen therapists would not offer treatment. Even in very serious or acute conditions, where an injury has just occurred, Bowen can be used to very good effect. As well as bad backs and necks, Bowen also is extremely effective on more complex or organic problems, such as Asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, stress. 

information taken in entirety from the European College of Bowen Studies www.thebowentechnique.com

 

 Sues client case studies 

Lower back pain.                                                                                        2 treatments Client presented with debilitating back pain, unable to walk properly or sit for more than 2-3 minutes without pain becoming unbearable. This was along term issue first occurring age 15 when playing netball. Had visited Physiotherapist off and on to help with pain, but no real resolving of issue. At the end of first treatment the pain had disappeared completely and client was able to walk, stand and sit in comfort. Arranged a second appointment with possibly needing to do some work on her coccyx as she claimed she had fallen on this area when 15, had recurring pain in this area constantly also, had 2 pregnancies last pregnancy seemed to have made pain worse. Client had experienced a slight aching in lower back towards the end of first week. After 2nd treatment client was completely pain free and has been so for several months now.  

Torticollis of neck & frozen shoulder                                                      3 treatments Client unable to move neck, constant pain in the neck and also right shoulder.  She was unable to turn her neck at all, and was limited to lifting her right arm around 20cm from her hip. Client was also unable to complete her work due to these restrictions and was on limited duties.Had seen physiotherapist for several months but had no positive results. After first treatment client felt a loosening of her neck and pain in shoulder was subsiding. After 2 more treatments (all three booked as a present from her daughter), client had full mobility in her arm and neck. She also experienced an increase in her energy levels, possibly because she was able to get quality sleep now she was not inconstant pain. 

Sciatic, lower back pain & plantar faciitis                                                  4 treatments Client was in constant pain with loss of mobility to right leg, unable to bend to pick things up from the floor. She had spent the previous year unable to move out of the house due to limited mobility. Was diagnose with disc degeneration in lower back L1&S1 and arthritis in her back and right leg. Client had received constant treatment with a physiotherapist for 7 months, with no positive results. Had not developed plantar faciitis and was unable to put her foot onto the floor. After her first treatment client had felt a considerable change in her pain, was now a dull ache, walking well and also bending was now not a problem. After the second treatment clients pain had gone completely from her lower back but still had some pain in her heel. 2 more treatments saw all pain removed a complete return of her mobility. In fact she enjoyed an activity holiday I America, water skiing, jet skiing etc. 2 weeks later. After which she came for 1 treatment to make sure she was topped up and not going to get a delayed reaction from all her exertion!   

Neck and shoulder pain                                                                                       1 treatment Client had constant pain in her neck and shoulders and was also limited in how far she could turn her head to both sides. Lifting anything of the slightest weight was impossible as it brought about even more pain for a period of a couple of days or more. Client had been treat by a physiotherapist, acupuncturist and massage therapist before but received no relief.After 1 treatment the client cancelled her second appointment as she had no pain at all in her neck or shoulders and could rotate her head without restriction. All grinding noises that she had experienced in her neck had gone and she reported  “her energy levels were better than before, and her life was suddenly looking brighter”. Client now visits for a monthly top up as she finds it keeps her energy levels up and has never since had any pain or discomfort in her neck or shoulders.   

Pain in lower back and numbness in Left leg.                                                   2 treatments Client a builder/joiner by trade and had experienced a worsening of lower back pain over the past year which was now resulting in him losing sensation from the knee down in his left leg with severe pain in the rest of his leg and back. After his first treatment the pain had eased completely but returned 2 days before his second appointment (7 days later). After the second treatment all pain and discomfort had gone completely. Client returns every couple of months for a treatment for his own peace of mind.  

Sciatic pain, disc degeneration and arthritis in lower back.   3 treatments Client had just been retired due to ill health because of her condition. Mobility was severely restricted to walking a few yards before pain became too much to carry on. Unable to sleep at night also due to constant pain.Client felt some relief after first visit, but pain often returned mid to late afternoon. After three treatments client was back to full mobility, with no pain at all. She was busy decorating her new home and reported no twinges or pulls at all, and now enjoys long walks with her grand daughter daily. I recommended apple cider vinegar to help ease her arthritis and client now takes this religiously as she feels it will ensure she is in the best condition to enjoy her retirement. 

Infant colic    2 treatments 

Baby, 6 weeks old constant suffering from colic pains after every feed.After first treatment colic had disappeared for a couple of days but then returned. After second treatment baby had an unusually smelly nappy, but then all pain had gone completely with no return.