THE BOWEN THERAPISTS’ EUROPEAN REGISTER

The Bowen Technique

A natural, holistic therapy developed by an Australian, Thomas Bowen (1916 –1982), after World War II. By the 1970s he was treating around 13,000 people a year, although the technique did not arrive in Britain until the 1990s.

What is the Bowen Technique?

The therapy consists of a series of gentle rolling movements using thumbs and fingers over muscle and connective tissue. Touch is used differently from other hands-on therapies, and is only applied briefly at precise points on the body. These moves prompt the body to redress physical imbalances and heal injuries, promoting relief from pain and renewal of energy. The body normally responds quickly to the therapy, making it a clinically and cost effective treatment. Even long-standing problems improve, often after only one session.

What happens during treatment?

Lasting about an hour, a Bowen treatment can be applied through light clothing. In order to establish a comprehensive profile of the overall health of the patient as well as addressing specific problems, the first consultation usually includes discussing the individual’s lifestyle, sleeping patterns, history of injuries, stress levels and medical history.

During treatment, pauses of several minutes punctuate the work. These breaks allow the body to absorb the effects of the gentle movements and to begin the subtle adjustments which will help the healing process. Unlike many therapies, the patient’s body takes the initiative in healing, not the therapist. During and after treatment patients may experience deep relaxation, a feeling they may retain for days.

Treatments should normally be one week apart, but they can be repeated more often in the case of recurring sports injuries, or problems during pregnancy. Usually two or three treatments are needed for long-term relief but many people experience either an improvement immediately, or within a matter of days – maybe from conditions that have caused misery for years!

What can Bowen Therapy treat?

Many conditions respond well to the treatment, such as back pain, frozen shoulder, whiplash, sports injuries, sciatica, migraine, infant colic, ME, stress, MS, tennis elbow, sinusitis, PMT, knee/ankle problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, RSI, hay fever and asthma, particularly childhood asthmatic conditions.

Research involving asthma, frozen shoulder and migraine showed that Bowen Therapy produced statistically-significant improvements in the health of patients suffering from these particular complaints.

Case Study - Back Problems and Whiplash

J had her first Bowen Therapy treatment at 42 years old She had suffered constant pain in her back for seventeen years and painful neck restriction for the last six. Her whiplash injury, prevented her from turning her head to the left. Painkillers were of little help and she was often unable to walk or sleep.

After her first treatment J. could move her neck freely, and was without pain for the first time in six years During the following week J still had the ache in her back, but her neck remained pain-free. While having the second treatment J. felt a tingling sensation around the point of pain in her back; this, together with a localised feeling of warmth is a common response during therapy. After treatment she felt an immediate improvement in her back as the pain subsided. In the last two years J. has had no further problems with either her back or neck.

BTER

The Bowen Therapists’ European Register is the professional association for Bowen therapists. The Register lists the names of therapists who, in addition to being fully qualified to practise the Bowen Technique, are trained in Anatomy & Physiology, have a current First Aid Certificate, are fully insured and undertake Continuing Professional Development.

The Register of members can be found at www.bowentherapists.com together with the results of numerous research programmes. Clients are recommended to use members on the register, as this guarantees their treatment will be of the highest standard.

They are also advised that the Bowen Technique is a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

BTER would like to thank Mr. Brian Murphy, Bowen Therapist in Scotland, for his assistance in the compilation of this material.

 

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