The Bowen Technique is a non invasive powerful form of bodywork and is perhaps one of the single most important tools we have to help heal the body. The moves produce good results by penetrating deeply into the tissues creating lasting results and making use of the body’s own ability to heal itself. Gentle moves are performed in very specific parts of the body which begin to achieve holistic balance straight away, physically and emotionally.
Body Structure
A Bowen treatment addresses the connective tissue called fascia as well as the muscles and skeleton. Fascia covers the structures within the body – muscles, bones and organs, allowing flexibility and movement between various parts of the body.
Understanding Bowen
It is fascia that is responsible for your posture – so in Bowen we pay it a lot of attention. It affects the way we hold our body. By changing the way the muscles and fascia work together, we can change the way the structure works – for example, allowing your spine to adopt an improved, less painful, position. This approach often results in a much longer-lasting effect on body alignment than some manipulative therapies.
Gently does it!
A classic Bowen Treatment is very gentle. There is no vigorous ‘pulling about’. Rolling moves are made on skin with the practitioners hands, on junctions of muscles and tendons which elicit a powerful effect on the body, annunciating the healing and realignment process.
Pathways to the Brain
As the muscle is held, prior to the move being made, it is gently stretched, sending sensory information to the brain. There are thousands of these stretch receptors and thousands of times a second they repeatedly send this information to the brain about the status of the muscle that is being treated. The brain sends corrective information back to the individual muscles.
Bowen moves are carried out in short sequences at key structural points with a gap of a couple of minutes between each sequence. The client is left to relax in a comfortable, warm atmosphere. It is a quiet time, with little talking, except for the client to feedback to the therapist about any sensations they may be experiencing.
Scientific Research
Scientific research is ongoing – there have been several studies into Bowen work on Frozen Shoulders, with positive results. Some research has shown that stretches of fascia produce small electrical charges and other neurological research has shown that the brain has areas of “body maps”, which contain your personal “blueprint”. It is believed that the sequences of Bowen moves stimulate the body to repair itself to the blueprint.
Also interesting is that blood tests before and after a treatment have revealed raised levels of chemical activity after the treatment and for all body systems to show a marked improvement in function. Some heart rate studies have shown rapid normalizing of fluctuating rhythms with clients commonly reporting sustained lower stress levels and a feeling of well-being.
The Bowen Association would like to thank John Wilks for extracts from his book “Understanding the Bowen Technique”.
What would I expect during an appointment?
Jacky is dedicated to making your experience a pleasant one with a friendly, professional welcome to put you at ease to discuss how Jacky can help you. A medical history is taken with a brief explanation of how the treatment works. You are welcome to ask any questions regarding the treatment during this process. An assessment then takes place as to the balance and alignment of your body. Some gentle palpation tests may take place and you may be asked to perform certain gentle movements to assess your mobility. You will not be asked to do anything difficult or painful, only movements within your own limits.
The treatment can be performed through loose light clothing (denim jeans are best avoided) and generally lying down on a treatment couch. However if you have a condition which means lying down is uncomfortable, the treatment can be performed in a seated position. If your water intake is poor it is best to drink plenty of plain water to hydrate your system. Once Bowen releases the fascia within your body, water will be welcomed greatly to assist in keeping it mobile, loose and flexible. Most treatments last an hour, sometimes a little longer for the first treatment due to obtaining a medical history. After the treatment if you feel the need to contact Jacky with regard to any changes you experience you are very welcome to do so.
It is important to remember that the Bowen Technique compliments medical treatment and does not replace it.
How many treatments will I require?
All bodies are different and respond in different ways to therapy and differing ailments or conditions can require differing amounts of treatment so there is no one answer to that question. Some require only one treatment and others require a few sessions but an average would be 3 or 4 treatments depending on the number a exterior factors involved with some health problems. Some people request ‘top up’ treatments just for a greater feeling of well being, prevention or an ’MOT’ and also in the case of re-injury. If treatment is being used for performance in sports or injury prevention/maintenance, an optimum treatment plan can be adopted.
Can Bowen Help Me?
Experience demonstrates its benefits for people of all ages, from newborn and infant children to top athletes or the elderly. Although it is a tool for treating ailments and injuries, many healthy people come along to enjoy treatments to maintain balance and their sense of well-being.
Victims of sports injuries and accidents have found the Bowen Technique very helpful as a remedial therapy during their recovery, improving rehabilitation time regardless of when the injury was sustained.
Here is a list of just some of the conditions Bowen has been able to assist with:
- Allergies
- Baby and childhood problems
- Back and many joint problems
- Bladder problems, bedwetting
- Bowel problems
- Digestive problems
- Dizziness
- Ear Problems
- Fatigue
- Fluid retention
- Foot problems
- Frozen shoulder
- Headaches (migraine, sinus)
- Bedwetting, incontinence
- Jaw problems (grinding of teeth, misalignment etc)
- Knee and hip restrictions, misalignments
- Menstrual and other female problems
- Pelvic tilt, leg length, hip imbalance
- Poor mobility
- Repetitive Strain Injury
- Respiratory problems
- Skeletal and muscular problems from lumbar to neck
- Sports injuries
- Stress
This list is not exhaustive so if there anything you wish to discuss please do ring Jacky on 07888 764387 for a non-obligated chat.