What is Bowen Therapy?

Bowen Therapy is a type of bodywork that effects change through subtle stimulation of specific points on the body. Most manoeuvres consist of a simple rolling motion over soft tissue - muscles, tendons, ligaments. Bowen Therapy engages the fascia to bring on your body’s innate sense of what is right to restore correct functioning.

Who can benefit?

Bowen Therapy is suitable for everyone. Newborns, the elderly, pregnant women and high level athletes can all benefit. Bowen Therapy is great for musculo-skeletal problems, such as muscular tension, frozen shoulder, jaw dysfunction and Bell’s Palsy, but has also assisted in various internal problems. Colic, indigestion, bedwetting in children, fertility problems, tinnitus and respiratory problems may all be aided.

Who cannot be treated?

There are no general contra-indications for Bowen Therapy, however there are three specific cases. People with extensive dental restoration should take this into account before the TMJ (jaw) procedure. Pregnant women (or those who might be) should never have the Coccyx procedure and those who have had breast or pectoral implants should not have the Chest procedure.

What to expect?

Most Bowen Therapy sessions last around 45 to 60 minutes but this does vary according to which procedures are performed. Please book an hour. Bowen Therapy is normally performed on a bodywork table but can be done seated or using whatever bed is available. Moves are done either on bare skin or through light clothing.

After performing somewhere between one to a dozen moves, the practitioner will stand back (or even leave the room) for a couple of minutes to allow the patient’s body to integrate the electrical signals from the move.

During the session, some patients will experience sensations, such as tingling, buzzing, heat, cold, heaviness or lightness. If you do not, it is nothing to worry about – some people are more sensitive than others. These sensations can continue for up to a week (Bowen Therapy continues to work for around a week after treatment), and in some cases, some pain or discomfort may be experienced as the body adjusts.

How often should I have one?

Some people respond quickly to Bowen Therapy, but some require a series of three treatments with a gap of a week in between each. As a general rule, the more long-standing an issue is, the longer it takes to respond. Bowen Therapy can be interrupted by other types of bodywork, such as massage (including self-massage!), chiropractic etc, so it is best to avoid these for the duration of a treatment programme. You must be patient and let the treatment work - rushing to try something else just short-changes the work.

Need to know more?

Please contact me for more info.