WHAT IS BOWEN THERAPY
Bowen therapy is a holistic and multidimensional approach to pain relief and healing that is a non-invasive & hands-on therapy. As a holistic therapy, it follows the philosophy of care that views the physical, mental and emotional aspects of life as closely interconnected and equally important aspects of an individual when considering treatment. To a Bowen practitioner, this means allowing the body to make the changes that it needs to make. It means trusting that, with the right kind of stimulation, the body can be prompted to make changes on any level – whether that be physical, emotional or psychological, in order to bring about positive improvements in health. When we allow the body to make the changes that it needs to make, rather than imposing our own judgement as to what needs to be changed, then we are being truly holistic.
TOM BOWEN, THE FOUNDER
Bowen Therapy is based on the recognition by the late Tom Bowen (1916-1982), its originator, who lived and practiced in Geelong, Australia, that the underlying cause or source of many musculoskeletal, neurological, neuromuscular and other health or pain problems could be found in the soft tissue or fascia.
Fascia is a specific type of connective tissue that forms a three dimensional web surrounding every tissue in the body. Fascia is the body organizer embracing all nerves, bones, arteries, veins and muscles. Therefore fascial dysfunction can affect every structure, muscle, nerve and organ in the body. Fascia has become the subject of increasing research and recent studies have shown it to be the largest sensory organ in the body.
His goal was to restore the structural integrity of the body in order to restore its optimum functioning.
HOW IT WORKS
Bowen Therapy, is a system of moves that challenges soft tissue, releases its congestion and stimulates energy flow prompting the body to heal itself. It relieves pain and inflammation through specific soft tissue or fascial release, thus stimulating specific receptors that enable the body itself to correct dysfunctions and restore homeostasis (balance) on a holistic level. Through treating the cause rather than the symptom, Bowen Therapy has consistently shown to provide permanent relief from pain and misalignment in the simplest form. It is safe for everyone- from newborn to the elderly. The moves are lightly done with fingers and thumbs, usually through clothing, on specific parts of the body. But the most unique part of Bowen Therapy are the “pauses” that are given between the sets of moves which send a message through the body to “let go” of stuck patterns and start the healing process.
Detoxification is often initiated during a Bowen treatment, thereby improving the body’s ability to function at a cellular level. It is said that Mr. Bowen was very encouraged when a person had an aggravation of symptoms following a treatment – preferably for 24-48 hours. He felt that this was the body eliminating waste and re-balancing itself in a strong and healthy way.
Bowen Therapy pain relief is experienced by many people who have dealt with a wide range of painful conditions, even where other modalities or treatments have resulted in transient or little improvement. Importantly, Bowen Therapy, being holistic, does not rely on a detailed diagnosis of the problem and its origins, which is often costly and indeterminate. Bowen Therapy treats the whole body, and its holistic effects on other systems of self-regulation such as, respiration, digestion, elimination and endocrine function , which are also positively affected.
Simply……a whole body approach to healing….
WHAT CAN BOWEN DO FOR ME?
There is a very wide range of acute and chronic conditions for which Bowen Therapy has provided outcomes ranging from long-term rapid remission to significant improvement in presenting problems, mobility, physiology, pain, stress and general well being.
CONDITIONS COMMONLY TREATED
Conditions that can respond well include:
ALL FORMS OF BACK PAIN
RESPIRATORY– Asthma, Allergies, Sinus Congestion, Recurrent Infections, Bronchitis, Colds & Flu. A Bowen treatment at the first sign of illness can often stop the illness from occurring
PELVIC IMBALANCES– Tilt, Leg Length, Hip Pain and Imbalance, Inguinal and Groin Pain, Abnormal Gait, Feet turned in or out, During and After pregnancy, During Labor
PREGNANCY-before, after ( first-mid-last trimester)
BABY– colic, crankiness, vomitting
MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS OF THE SPINE: Acute or Chronic, Post Traumatic, Post Surgery, or Arthritic Origin, Entire Spine – low, mid, upper, Muscle Spasms and Loss of Mobility, Scoliosis, Sciatica, Herniated Discs
TMJ/JAW– Pain, Tension, and Mal-alignment of the jaw, Difficulty Swallowing, Teeth issues
SHOULDER pain ( including frozen shoulder)
FEET– Hammer toes, bunion, heel spurs, poor circulation
GYNECOLOGICAL– PMS, Menstrual problems, Difficulty Conceiving or Carrying Pregnancy, Infertility, Menopausal symptoms, Fibroids, Cysts, Back Pain in Pregnancy
SPORTS AND OTHER INJURIES– Ankle, Knee, Shin Splints, Heel Spurs, Plantar Fasciitis, Adductor and Hamstring Strain, Rotator Cuff Injuries, Tennis or Golfer’s Elbows, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Repetitive Stress Injuries
KNEE/HIP ( before and after surgeries ) Ligaments, Meniscus tears
ALSO– Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Ear Infections, Tinnitus, Vertigo/Dizziness, Lymphatic Congestion/Blockage, Circulation Problems, Stress, Shock, Anxiety, Grief, Depression, Adrenal Exhaustion, Stimulation of Energy Flow.
THE BENEFITS
The principal benefit of Bowen Therapy is the often rapid and long term or permanent remission from pain, reduced stress, greater mobility and improved physical and emotional quality and enjoyment of life. Additional benefits can include increased energy, improvement in the immune system, re-balancing of the body, improved circulation, lymphatic drainage and detoxification.
Further and important benefits of Bowen Therapy are that it has few contraindications. It is very gentle, relaxing and non-invasive, involving no manipulation, and is therefore ideal for everyone including children and the elderly.
THE BOWEN TREATMENT
A simple and powerful therapy that helps relieve all kinds of pain. It is so gentle that it can be used on anyone from newborn infants to the elderly.
HOW THE TREATMENT WORKS
Bowen Therapy is a healing, life-changing hands-on therapy. It is not massage, acupressure or chiropractic, there is no manipulation, adjustment or force used. You lie on the “massage table”, leaving your clothes on (light clothing is recommended) and you are offered a blanket so you are comfortably warm. Comfort and warmth are of great importance as this supports the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which becomes dominant during relaxation. With the pads of the thumb(s) or finger(s), I make specific gentle moves over muscle, nerve sheath, and /or tendons. Bowen is unlike any other form of bodywork, in that it completely trusts that the body will do exactly what it needs to do, when it needs to do it, without the practitioner’s guiding influence. This is why after every couple of “moves” I will leave the room for a couple of minutes to allow your body to do exactly what it needs to do without being watched. This also allows the couple of minutes required by your fascia to adjust and integrate the “moves”. People find this very relaxing and in the gentleness of the treatment, some people fall asleep. It’s what makes Bowen unique.
Treatments last for 60 minutes and most people notice changes happening during or after their first session. That said of course, depending on your condition and how long you have been living with the issue, 2-4 treatments may be necessary to experience long-lasting relief, 7 days apart.This allows the body time to integrate the work and re-balance itself.
AFTER YOUR TREATMENT
WALKING- is the only activity recommended, as it helps maintain the body’s physical symmetry, No other exercise allowed for at least 24 hours after the session.
WATER- increase water intake for the next few days to help hydrate the tissues and to aid detoxification.
WAIT– it’s important to allow enough time for the Bowen Therapy session to fulfill its fullest effects and for your body to fully respond. Note that other therapies might interfere with your progress.
COST FOR 60 MINUTE SESSION - $95.00
3 session bundle- $210.00
5 session bundle ( for more acute conditions) – $380.00 ( buy 4 get 1 free)
Home visit -$110.00
I abide by a strict code of conduct and ethics and I am committed to a
programme of continuing professional development.
Please note that our physical bodies store our life’s experiences on a cellular level. When working with the body in this and other deep ways, it is quite common for people to have what is often referred to as a “healing crisis”. This is when traumas or experiences that were stored and possibly stuck in the body are permitted to be released. When this happens there is often a remembering of the experience and a re-experiencing of the emotions that went with it. This can be confusing at the time, but with gentle guidance from me, it is a very therapeutic and complete release on a physical, mental, emotional and often spiritual level, which increases one’s overall vitality and wellbeing.