The Bowen Technique has been described
as one of the most significant innovations in manipulative therapy
for many years. It is an exciting development in that Bowtech is
a fast and effective healing modality which worked to "reset"
the body, allowing the body to heal itself in its own time without
any forceful manoeuvres, often producing astounding results from
even long standing conditions.
The Bowen Technique was originated
and developed in Australia by a man called Tom Bowen. He began treating
people full time from a house in Geelong and his success grew despite
having no formal qualifications or advertising. A formal investigation
into complementary therapies in 1974 found that Mr. Bowen was performing
an incredible 13,000 treatments per year.
Tom Bowen died relatively young from
diabetes but he had the foresight to commission the Melbourne Osteopath
and Naturopath, Oswald Rentsch to document his work, thus securing
this remarkable technique for future generations, who along with
his wife, after training with Tom Bowen set up the Bowen Academy
of Australia in 1987 and have since travelled the world teaching
the technique to over 9,000 therapists world-wide.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Technique does not impose a particular
approach on the client. Instead, it holistically encourages a gentle
response, which empowers the bodies own resources to heal itself
on all levels. i.e. physical; structural; mental; emotional and
sometimes spiritual, producing deep and lasting results.
Bowen excels at relieving pain and
this is due to the way in which the technique seems to tap directly
into the nervous system. The technique itself is one of remarkable
simplicity and many people have difficulty accepting that such a
simple minimalist approach can be so beneficial, but the results
speak for themselves. "Less is more" is the Bowen
therapists motto which in itself can be a major obstacle to overcome
by those who are used to more extensive amounts of "hands on"
treatment.
The technique involves series of
precise rolling-type moves across tendons and muscles using thumbs
and fingers. This sends a wave of energy, deep into the muscle and
surrounding area, rather like a ripple on a pond, which can often
be felt through the body, so from this aspect, it could be said
that Bowen is a vibrational therapy.
The moves can be likened to playing
a stringed instrument in that is the speed, pressure and tension
which creates the desired resonance or harmonics. The Bowen Moves
do not resemble massage in any way.
A BOWEN TREATMENT
The other unique feature of Bowen
therapy is the rests or breaks between the moves, in which no work
is done and the practitioner leaves the room for 2-3 minutes, allowing
the body to respond to the information being presented. The break
also allows the body to deeply relax and even on occasion fall asleep.
People commonly report; tingly sensations in various or often seemingly
unrelated areas of the body; heat; waves of energy or feeling that
the practitioners fingers are still touching the body. All these
sensations are signals that the body is resetting and balancing
itself.
Most of the Bowen moves may be performed
through light clothing. A Bowen session lasts typically between
30 mins - 1 hour.
CAN BOWEN HELP ME?
The Bowen Technique is considered
safe and gentle enough to use on anyone from the sick or elderly
to new-born babies with infant colic. Because of the holistic nature
of Bowen it is frequently used as a recovery aid after surgery as
it speeds up the healing process and boosts the immune system. In
addition, it is also successful at treating the symptoms of stress
and associated conditions. A wide range of conditions may respond
to the technique.
-
Back, Neck and Sciatic pain
-
Walking difficulties
-
Sports injuries
-
RSI
-
Frozen shoulder and Tennis Elbow
-
Knee and ankle problems
-
Stress and Tension
-
Migraines and Headaches
-
Respiratory conditions (Asthma
& Hayfever)
-
Menstrual and Hormonal irregularities
-
Chronic Fatigue (M.E)
-
Parkinson and M.S
-
Digestive disorders and Constipation
-
Pregnancy and Childhood disorders
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