The Bowen Technique is a drug free, non-invasive, gentle, hands on remedial therapy which can be administered through light fitting clothing, with the patient sitting, standing or lying.

Bowen is suitable for all ages and there are no known  contra-indications. I have treated people from 10 days to 92 years

It is used by therapists mainly to help people who are in pain or discomfort for one reason or another. It is a gentle therapy that works over the soft  tissue of the client and features lots of rests in between moves to  allow the body to start working with the information. 

The treatment can be performed through light clothing. No oils or prolonged pressure are used. There is no rubbing or  friction in the move, which uses the movement of skin to effect a rolling type of action over the muscle.

Bowen is reported to help with a wide variety of ailments. It is holistic in nature, that is, it works on the whole body rather than being a treatment for specific conditions.

By releasing stress at a very deep level, via its calming  effect on the Autonomic Nervous System, Bowen sets the scene for the  body to heal itself. In contrast to many other hands-on therapies.

Bowen does not attempt to force the body to change; rather it  asks the body to recognise and make the changes necessary to bring it  back to homoeostasis (physiological equilibrium).

Bowen can be of assistance in many cases of emotional stress,  where relaxation is a prime factor in easing pain and anxiety. It is  also often a great help in improving the 

quality of life for those who  are terminally ill.

There have been many theories put forward. Recently  the concept of the way in which the brain reacts to neural stimulus has  been looked at in more detail and is the 

subject of ongoing research.

The brain emits in the region of 600,000 signals per second, all of  which both send out signals and in turn receive information from the  body. A muscular movement, for example, begins from the primary motor cortex at the front of the brain and is sent, via the spinal cord, to  the arms or legs where it is translated into movement. In order to gauge  this, however, the brain needs to receive a signal telling it what is happening and what to do next and this it does 

via the parietal lobe of  the brain.

The effect is a kind of looping circuit travelling at massive speeds,  sending and receiving information. A Bowen move which is a series of  gentle rolling moves, followed by breaks at certain intervals,  interferes with this signal and creates another set of parameters for  the brain to examine. Once the brain starts to reorder the signals it is  also able to reinterpret the information coming from other areas, an  example of why Bowen will often set off reactions in areas that haven’t  been treated.

Although we say that we do not treat specific conditions, we know from feedback from our patients that many common complaints are helped by the 

Bowen Technique’s holistic  approach.

There is no condition for which Bowen therapists would not offer treatment. Even in very serious or acute conditions, where an injury has  just occurred, Bowen can be used to very good effect. As well as bad  backs and necks, Bowen has also been reported to be extremely 

effective on more complex or  organic problems such as asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines and  stress.

There are no guarantees as everyone responds differently but, on average, the number of treatments required for, say, a stiff  neck or back is around three. Some problems need more treatments and  some even fewer, but what won’t happen is that you will be required to have a long course of treatment, only to find that it hasn’t helped.  Although there are never any promises, you should in most cases start to see change fairly quickly.

There are hundreds of therapists in the UK who offer treatment. Some of these people are experienced in other forms of  treatment such as reflexology, aromatherapy, sports injury or massage.  In addition there are a number of chiropractors, chartered  physiotherapists, osteopaths, GPs and surgeons who have learned and  practise the technique. 

To make sure you receive treatment from a fully qualified practitioner in your area 

see the find a therapy page of 

The Bowen Therapy Professional Association (BTPA) at

www.bowentherapy.org.uk

Bowen differs in  several respects. Osteopaths and chiropractors often use adjustments or  ‘cracks’ to realign the structure of the body. They will make a  diagnosis of the patient and treat the area of concern. With Bowen therapy the approach is rather different. The therapist will take a case  history but the treatment does not set out to treat specific conditions  or ailments. Instead, the body is treated as a whole unit, without  referral to named disease. For instance if someone came to a Bowen  therapist with cancer, we would not claim to be able to help the cancer  or even to treat it. Instead we are trying to help the person.

The information on this website is not intended

to replace guidance from your doctor

or other suitably qualified medical professional

who should be contacted for advice

if you have any health concern.