Bowen therapy is a process of gently stretching the fascia, a soft tissue that envelops, separates, and influences every organ and tissue in the body.
The therapy is typically used to treat neurological problems, including chronic conditions and sports injuries. It is a holistic treatment that addresses the cause of the problems rather than the symptoms.
From athletes, pregnant women, infants to the elderly, everyone could benefit from the treatment.
Origins of Bowen therapy
Bowen therapy was created by Thomas Ambrose Bowen who was born in 1916 in Brunswick, Australia.
Bowen had an extraordinary ability to observe people, their movements, and the compensatory capacities of the body. His gift helped him to develop the Bowen technique in the 1950s, which has since been continually perfected.
Conditions that can be treated with Bowen therapy
Bowen therapy is practiced to relieve pain and increase motor function. Depending on the underlying symptoms, it can be used as a complementary or alternative treatment for the following conditions:-
- Musculoskeletal and joint problems
- Respiratory problems
- Urinary and reproductive system dysfunctions
- Accidents and traumas
- Emotional blockages
- Insomnia problems
- Pain-related to illness or surgery
- Back pain
- Migraines
- Pelvic pain
- Scoliosis
What to expect
Each body is unique and expresses itself differently. Therefore, each session is adapted to suit a client’s needs.
During your first appointment, the practitioner will conduct an oral interview to get to know you better. If you have any huge issues, such as a hunched back or legs that are not straight, they will be taken into account.
You will then lie down comfortably on a massage table protected by a blanket. The therapist will apply light pressure associated with the rotation of the muscle or tendon.
Between the series of light manipulations, the practitioner will take a break of two or more minutes to let the sympathetic nervous system (state of stress) switch to parasympathetic mode (state of deep relaxation).
The sessions, conducted once every seven days, last between 35 minutes and 60 minutes. Complete treatment for a slight problem rarely exceeds 3 or 4 sessions.
One of the particularities of the Bowen technique is the calm in which the sessions take place: there is no background noise, no smell is diffused and there is no exchange between the practitioner and the patient. Immersed in a state of deep relaxation, it is common for the patient to fall asleep during the session.
Benefits of Bowen therapy
Blood tests carried out before and after the treatments have shown an increase in the level of chemical activity, a marked improvement in the function of the vital organs (liver, heart, etc.), and a normalization of the biological rhythms of the body.
On an emotional level, Bowen therapy can help manage stress and anxiety, increase energy levels, and treat depression. From the first session, the patent will feel re-energized, calm, and sleep better.
The treatment can also act on more specific problems such as infertility, bedwetting, or breastfeeding problems. In addition, it can be used in babies to relieve colic, regurgitation, reflux, cervical restrictions, or to improve their sleep.
It also provides gentle realignment, which the body is able to hold, releasing pain and compensation patterns. The improvement can hold for weeks, months, years, or indefinitely, depending on the individual and their lifestyle.
Clients should feel a significant change in their bodies by the third session.
Usually, for a recent, acute injury, we consider between 4 to 5 consultations.
For people with chronic pain, consultations are spaced out to give the body time to adjust and recover at a pace that suits it.
When to come in for a Bowen therapy session
Whether used for preventive, curative, or anxiety management, Bowen therapy is a powerful tool that will help you regain physical and mental balance.
If you are interested in Bowen therapy, contact Jacqueline at jacqueline@jacquelinemkane.com. It is important to express any concerns that you may have or ask questions to understand what to expect.
