What is Bowen?
A gentle form of body work in which subtle moves performed over the muscles and connective tissue send messages deep into the body, retrieving cellular memory of a relaxed, balanced way of well-being.
Bowen moves are light, gentle and very precise. There is no forceful manipulation. The practitioner is able to discern stress build-up in the muscles and other soft-tissue, enabling them to perform specific Bowen moves to assist recovery and pain relief.
Bowen was founded in Australia by the late Tom Bowen, who discovered that making small and gentle movements on strategic points in the body generated an integrated healing response. You can see photos of some of these movements below.
It is suitable for the newborn through to the elderly and stunning results can often be observed after only a few treatments; even for chronic complaints.
You can read about the many conditions that Bowen can treat on the Bowen Treatments page.
You can download my Winter 2008 'What Bowen can do for you' fact sheet here.
The photos below illustrate some of the Bowen movements.
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A move in the upper back. | A move in the neck area. |
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Elbow / Wrist Procedure | A move from the knee procedure |
Video of Bowen Moves
This short 'You Tube' clip gives a good introduction to Bowen Therapy, and what it involves. I wouldn't necessarily endorse the speed or pressure of all this therapist's 'Bowen moves', but she does give a good explanation about the Technique, and how it works.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2XRGFWD89k
The following article by Sarah Wilkin describes a typical Bowen treatment.
A visit to Napier's Herbal Health Care Centre on Sidney Street, recently left me singing the praises of a fabulous soft tissue therapeutic technique created by Australian Tom Bowen in 1982.
This non-invasive, especially rewarding therapy left me surprisingly relaxed and looking forward to my next treatment in order to combat a recently noted frozen shoulder (must admit I don't often follow up a press treatment with a booking!)
How does it work? Well as I found out less is more with this particular therapy and simply stated this technique allows the body to reset and heal itself through a series of gently rolling connective tissue moves.
With my fantastic therapist Isobel Knight leaving the room in between such moves, this is apparently highly important in order for my body to take time and truly benefit from each set. By combining moves both in placement and combination Isobel is able to address the body as a whole or target specific issues through 'tissue tension sense' uncover stress build-up in muscle groups and relieve such stress.
This technique is the essence of simplicity and embraces physical, chemical, emotional and mental aspects of each individual. The treatment can help clients with back problems, shoulder injuries, asthma, jaw problems, headaches, knee and ankle problems in addition to many other complaints including fertility problems. It is subtle, and is truly a most exciting form of healing.
Sarah Wilkin
Explorer Magazine, Cambridge.
You can read more about the technique and the many conditions that Bowen can treat on the Bowen Treatments page.
