"When the Memory of Health returns, it brings with it enough power to last a lifetime." - Joan L. Mailing

What is BOWEN?

BOWEN is a specific series of muscle and connective tissue movements designed to treat a wide range of problems and injuries. It addresses every system in the body, internal organ systems as well as the musculoskeletal structure. These gentle powerful moves send neurological impulses to the brain which is given time to process and feed impulses back to realign the body. Respecting this feedback loop is essential for allowing the body to restore its own natural balance. BOWEN was developed by the late Tom Bowen in Geelong Australia in the 1950’s.

BOWEN usually results in the relief of many specific injuries and other health problems, both acute and chronic. It does this by using the body’s “Innate” healing mechanisms. When the therapist makes the BOWEN move on muscles, tendons, nerves and ligaments, signals are delivered to the nervous system. The body now senses to go into midline and release tension, fascia and any constrictions that are holding the body back from functioning improperly.

With an acute injury, the therapist will address the traumatized area because there has been no time for the patient to have compensated for the condition. When a patient presents a condition that has been with them a number of years, and patterns of dysfunction and posture are distorted, the therapist will address the whole body by restoring balance by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS controls over 80% of the body’s function. Healing can occur after the ANS shifts from the Sympathetic (flight and fright) to the parasympathetic (rest and repair) mode. Bowen helps that shift to take place.

BOWEN is a gentle pressure that can be done on infants and the elderly. The pressure is the softness of your eyeball. The basic BOWEN moves distort a muscle or tendon that is not under load and then the therapist rolls over the muscle in a precise location without sliding. As a result, the spindle cells (which are responsible for locomotion and posture) and golgi tendon organs regulate the muscle’s resting tension level by the central nervous system. The surrounding fascia becomes less solid and more fluid, allowing greater movement of blood and lymph through the tissue, and enhancing nutrition to and waste removal from the site of injury. The lack of distracting skin stimulation and the limited number of precise moves focus the nervous system’s attention on certain points of the body. Pausing between BOWEN movements allows time for the nervous system and fascia to respond and begin the healing process. The body continues to respond for several days after the treatment unless it is interrupted by injury or strong external stimulation, including trauma, heat and bodywork.

How Does BOWEN Work?

The BOWEN move is done on the acupuncture / meridian lines of the body. Most moves overlap acupuncture points and some moves cross 2 – 3 acupuncture meridians at once. The overlap of these two systems have a vibrational component and effects all internal organs.

The BOWEN move is done on a superficial level and affects the relationship between the fascia, nerve, muscle and tendon that is being mobilized. The body is bounded by connective tissue that is called fascia. Every gland, nerve, vein, muscle and organ is held into place with this structure. After a BOWEN treatment, it is not uncommon to see scars and adhesions soften and posture and mobility improve.

Most BOWEN moves are done either at the origin, insertion or the muscle belly where receptors are located which inform the nervous system of the state of the tension, length or stretch in the musculotendonous junction. Receptor sites are stimulated during the “challenge” (holding the area) and the rolling of the BOWEN move changes the stimulus received by the nervous system. This can change pain and a muscle spasm. This is known as the Stretch Reflex.

Joint Proprioceptors: All BOWEN moves are done around a joint directly affect the joint capsule and ligaments that are richly innervated with proprioceptors. Again, stimulus is received by the nervous system inviting normalization of the joint function.

Some BOWEN moves produce referred reactions to the internal organs through stimulation of the skin, muscles and nerves. This is called the Segmental Visceromatic Spinal Reflexes.

The BOWEN move can be similar as playing a string of a guitar. The move is a vibration that is recognized by the nervous system that will bring the body back into harmony and balance. This is called Harmonic Vibration or Resonance Model.

Some BOWEN protocols activate the draining of the lymphatic system and stimulation the immune system.

BOWEN detoxifies the body at a cellular level therefore improving the body’s ability to function at a cellular level.

What to Wear for a Treatment

Patients are to wear loose clothing for their treatment. The treatment is done on a massage table. To minimize the need for disturbing the patients rest, all protocols that require the patient to lie face down are completed before having them turn over for the protocols that are done face up. There are some protocols that are done standing or sitting.

A session involves one or more protocols each consisting of several sets of moves. Between each sets of moves, the therapist must pause to let the patient’s body respond. After the nervous system begins to adjust the tension level in the muscles, the patient is ready for the next sets of moves.

Because of the subtle of BOWEN and the body’s continuing response to it, other forms of manipulative therapy preformed up to five days before and five days after a session will interfere with the treatment.

BOWEN Can Treat the Following:

Abdominal pain, adrenal exhaustion, sinus problems, ankle, foot and knee conditions, arthritis, respiratory conditions, colic, cramps, back pain, Bell’s palsy, circulatory conditions, mastitis, bunions, bursitis, carpal tunnel, chest pain, constipation, deafness, depression, digestive problems, dizziness, ear infections, eczema, eye problems, edema, frozen shoulder, gallbladder pain, hammer toes, headaches, digestion conditions, TMJ, kidney and bladder problems, lumbago, lymphatic drainage, meniere’s, nausea, nervous tension, plantar fasciitis, pregnancy , sciatica, scoliosis, shin splints, sprung ribs, stress, teeth and gums, tendinitis, whiplash, scars, sprain, strains, headache’s, systemic conditions, conditions of the central nervous system, conditions of the peripheral nervous system and torticollis.

BOWEN Treatments

Return one week following the first treatment. The second session is important in setting in the work into the body. Treatments are effective if done weekly.

Once the condition is resolved, you may schedule BOWEN either for maintenance or as needed.