Bowen Therapy

Bowen therapy is a gentle manual technique, in which a therapist, using specific Bowen moves via connective tissue, activates the autonomic nervous system. The organism responds to the stimuli with a congenital mechanism of self-regulation in the muscular, neurological, hormonal, lymphatic, emotional and energy system.

During therapy, the therapist applies specific moves in particular sequences via muscles, tendons and ligaments in specific locations in the body. The therapy affects the relaxation of musculoskeletal tension, improves lymphatic and blood flow, improves flexibility and reduces pain. We activate the parasympathetic part of the nervous system, which in modern life is often influenced by sympathetic functioning, which has an extremely calming effect on the entire organism. During the therapy, we monitor the organism’s responses. There are short breaks in between sessions, which allow the body to react at its own pace.

This type of therapy is so gentle that it can be safely applied on people of all ages – from new-borns to the elderly, from athletes to pregnant women. Bowen therapy can also complement the modes of treatment provided by modern medicine.

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Most Bowen moves coincide with acupuncture points and meridians, which affects the energy system.

“Bowen moves” are the essence of the therapy, performed by therapists at specific locations on the muscles and fascia, tendons and indirectly on nerve sheaths. The initial stimulus is introduced through surface fascia (connective tissue), which instantly transmits stimuli to other regulatory systems.


Thomas Ambrose Bowen

Indications

When performed by the hands of a professionally trained therapist, the Bowen therapy is a highly effective method of healing. It is suitable for tackling most problems related to the structural and visceral area. Given the gentleness and type of process of this therapy, we are often taken aback by its effectiveness, as the latter is proportionately higher in respect of the therapies procedures.
Bowen therapy improves the functioning of the entire organism and is particularly effective in treating the following ailments and problems:
Headaches, migraines, sinusitis
Lymphatic system disorders
Fibromyalgia
Rehabilitation after surgery and injuries
Stress, acute and chronic fatigue
Pain in the region of back and neck area due to degenerative changes, injuries and surgeries
Disorders of the internal organs (asthma, problems with the digestive tract, fertility problems)
Neurodegenerative diseases (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease) – plays the role of supportive therapy
Eases problems during pregnancy and after childbirth, baby colic
Problems with joints (pain, swelling, inflammation, reduced mobility as a result of injuries or wear) in adhesive capsulitis in the shoulder, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ disorders, hip, knee, ankle and other joint problems, arthritis
Thomas Ambrose Bowen

The history of Bowen therapy

The history of Bowen therapy has long been a story with many versions that are promoted as being true. In the past, many untrue stories used to circulate, some of which still do to this day.

Bowen therapy was developed by Thomas Ambrose Bowen, a self-taught man who was born on 18 April 1916 in Brunswick, Victoria, and died on 27 October 1982 at the age of 66. Tom completed 8 grades of elementary school and worked as a regular factory worker. His parents never encouraged him to further his education. He was very interested in the structure of the animal and human body. He had a special gift and a desire to help people with physical problems. He continually upgraded and developed his therapeutic skills by joining several local football clubs, where he worked as a masseur and helped coaches in warm-up exercises with players. The more he developed his therapeutic abilities, the more people came to him for help with a variety of problems such as back, neck, sports injuries and other musculoskeletal problems. He drew from various types of professional literature, from anatomy of the human body to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and shiatsu massage.

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Bowen did not have formal medical education and described his abilities as a “gift from God”. He saw himself as an osteopath. A public survey conducted by the Australian government in Victoria showed that Tom treated approximately 13,000 patients a year, with an 80% success rate in treating symptoms that were associated with a wide range of health conditions. Bowen did not document his technique. His work was observed by a handful of therapists who, after his death, each interpreted his work in his own way. It was only a few years following his death that his therapy was named after him – “Bowen therapy”.