Named after its originator, Tom Bowen, The Bowen Technique is a holistic therapy based on the principle that the body is capable of healing itself given the right time and conditions. The Bowen Techinque aims to create those conditions with light and gentle touch, and that is all that is needed for the healing process to begin.

During the treatment, the therapist makes a series of small, rolling-type movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue in precise spots around the body. The technique is non-invasive - most of the moves can be made even through a light clothing. One of the key features with Bowen is that having put in the moves the therapist will usually leave the room to allow the client to relax and the work to take effect.

What is it?
Normally, there is a continuous signalling stream that runs from the skin and its various sensory receptors to the brain and back. The stream is a rapid one, there are usually some 600.000 signals a second in any given moment. However, when a Bowen move is made on the skin, the signalling stream is interrupted shortly and the brain then tries to figure out what has just happened, and what kind of action, if any, needs to be taken as a result.

One of the questions that arise quite often with the clients is whether Bowen is based on acupuncture points and/or meridians, or reflexology points, or trigger points etc. Shortly answered, no. Although the moves are sometimes made on the same spots as in other therapies, Bowen is a unique therapy on its own right. There are several studies made on the subject, but still it's a matter of debate how exactly and why it works. Having said that, it really does work - there are many studies, as mentioned, and lots of anecdotal evidence of it's often quite remarkable effects.

Who can it help?
Bowen is very relaxing, gentle and safe form of therapy for various kinds of conditions and in any age, including newborn babies and the elderly, and also during a pregnancy. It can be used to correct different structural misalignments, to ease pain or stress, or to help with organic dysfunctions. For sports it can help to raise the performance levels, prevent new injuries and quicker recovery from the ones already happened.

What does it treat?
The Bowen Technique does not treat any symptoms or problems, but rather aims to balance the whole body. Therefore, it’s not unusual that the clients report changes also in other conditions they might not have even mentioned to the therapist during the interview.

Common presentations include (see picture below):

What does a treatment involve?
Usually one treatment session takes about an hour, including a short interview. First appointment takes often longer. Most of the moves can be given through light clothing, so there is no need to take clothes of, except the ones made of heavier and thicker fabrics. The therapist makes few moves at a time and then leaves the room for few minutes allowing the work to take effect. After the break the therapist comes back to the room and makes few more moves and leaves again. The breaks are absolutely essential in Bowen.

In many cases, 2 to 3 sessions approximately one week apart may ease many symptoms and sometimes lead to permanent relief. There are, however, conditions that may require further treatments. It is recommended that any other physical therapies, such as massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture, reflexology, energy healing etc. are not mixed with Bowen. This is to allow the healing process to take its course and not to overload the body with too much or too different therapeutic information.