January 10, 2009
Bowen Therapy
By Dr David Paris BCom, MSc, Grad Dip Ed, PhD, CPA Registered Bowen Practitioner
Vice President Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia (BTFA)
Bowen Therapy is a holistic and multidimensional approach to pain relief and healing that has achieved remarkable results over the past 50 years. It is based on the recognition by Tom Bowen, its originator, who lived and practised in Geelong, Victoria, that the underlying cause or source of many musculoskeletal, neurological, neuromuscular and other health problems could be found in the soft tissue or fascia. Fascia is a specific type of connective tissue that forms a three dimensional web surrounding every tissue in the body. Fascia is the body organiser embracing all nerves, bones, arteries, veins and muscles. Therefore fascial dysfunction can affect every structure, muscle, nerve and organ in the body.
Bowen Therapy, through specific soft tissue or fascial release techniques, enables the body itself to correct fascial dysfunction and restore homeostasis (balance) on a holistic level. Through treating the cause rather than the symptoms, Bowen Therapy has consistently shown it can have profound and permanent healing and pain relief outcomes. This relief is experienced by many people who present with a wide range of painful conditions, even where other modalities or treatments have resulted in transient or little improvement. Importantly, Bowen Therapy, being holistic, does not rely on a detailed diagnosis of the problem and its origins, which is often costly and indeterminate. Bowen Therapy treats the whole body, and its holistic effects are apparent in patients who find resolution to problems above and beyond those for which they have sought treatment, for example lack of energy, stress or emotional issues.
Brief History
Bowen Therapy was developed by Tom Bowen (1916-1982). The actual origins of his concepts are unknown or at least unclear though there do appear to be links with traditional Chinese medicine. What is clear is that while working as a masseur in junior football clubs in Geelong, he recognised an apparent common causal relationship in many seemingly unrelated painful conditions, particularly musculoskeletal but including neurological and other health problems. He identified this causal link or relationship as being the soft tissue or fascia that envelops the whole body from head to toe. After years of clinical work he developed a unique set of specific moves and associated timing intervals. The moves provided fascial release and stimulation resulting in long term and often immediate resolution of the presenting problem and pain.
In 1975 the government instituted Webb Committee of Inquiry into Chiropractic and Osteopathy in Australia reviewed Tom Bowen’s work. They found he was seeing some 13,000 patients a year and achieving a success rate of over 80% in his practice. From its Australian origins his innovative and unique technique has now been adopted world wide with devotees and practitioners in countries including New Zealand, USA, Canada, United Kingdom and Europe.
Conditions Commonly Treated
There is a very wide range of acute and chronic conditions for which Bowen Therapy has provided complete and long-term remission and others where significant improvement in mobility, physiology, pain, stress and general well being has been achieved. Conditions include: acute and chronic pain, fibromyalgia, back pain, lumbago, sciatica, chronic fatigue syndrome, neck pain, TMJ syndrome, shoulder pain (frozen shoulder), multiple sclerosis, leg and foot pain (plantar fascitis), autism and attention deficit disorder, emotional depression and stress, asthma, sporting and other trauma injuries. It is worth noting the similar success of Bowen Therapy in treating many comparable small animal and equine problems within Australia and internationally.
The Benefits
The principal benefit of Bowen Therapy is the often rapid and long term or permanent remission from pain, reduced stress, greater mobility and improved physical and emotional quality and enjoyment of life. Additional benefits can include increased energy, improvement in the immune system, rebalancing of the body, improved circulation, lymphatic drainage and detoxification. Further and important benefits of Bowen Therapy are that it has few contra indications. It is very gentle,
relaxing and non-invasive involving no manipulation, and is therefore ideal for everyone including children and the aged.
What to Expect During Treatment
After the initial professional exchange the patient will be invited to drink a quantity of water prior to treatment. This is an important feature of Bowen Therapy as effective fascial release requires the adequate hydration of cells. The therapist will initially open blockers and then follow with a series of specific rolling moves across fascia associated with particular muscle groups and tendons. A specified time interval is included between each series allowing the body to respond, re-hydrate tissues and commence its own healing process. During these intervals the therapist may leave the room or quietly update the patient records.
On completion of the treatment the patient, who often has already experienced pain relief, will be asked to drink additional water. They will then be advised of possible physical or emotional changes that may take place with recommendations for post treatment actions or activities, and be invited to feedback on outcomes.
Research
In a study of twenty patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia conducted by Jo Anne Whitaker, M.D., at the American College of Rheumatology, almost all participants experienced various degrees of relief which lasted from a few days to several weeks. Most reported immediate relief following a Bowen treatment. For some, repeated Bowen therapy maintained complete clinical remission. The results were statistically significant and correlated with improvement of clinical wellbeing.1
Dr. Bernie Carter at the Metropolitan University of Manchester (UK) conducted a study of patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder who have been treated by the Bowen Technique. Initial data reveal that 77% of the study group experienced positive outcomes from their treatment. Results showed improvement in mobility, reduction in pain, improvement in functioning and a high degree of satisfaction with the treatment.2
Vice President Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia (BTFA)
Bowen Therapy is a holistic and multidimensional approach to pain relief and healing that has achieved remarkable results over the past 50 years. It is based on the recognition by Tom Bowen, its originator, who lived and practised in Geelong, Victoria, that the underlying cause or source of many musculoskeletal, neurological, neuromuscular and other health problems could be found in the soft tissue or fascia. Fascia is a specific type of connective tissue that forms a three dimensional web surrounding every tissue in the body. Fascia is the body organiser embracing all nerves, bones, arteries, veins and muscles. Therefore fascial dysfunction can affect every structure, muscle, nerve and organ in the body.
Bowen Therapy, through specific soft tissue or fascial release techniques, enables the body itself to correct fascial dysfunction and restore homeostasis (balance) on a holistic level. Through treating the cause rather than the symptoms, Bowen Therapy has consistently shown it can have profound and permanent healing and pain relief outcomes. This relief is experienced by many people who present with a wide range of painful conditions, even where other modalities or treatments have resulted in transient or little improvement. Importantly, Bowen Therapy, being holistic, does not rely on a detailed diagnosis of the problem and its origins, which is often costly and indeterminate. Bowen Therapy treats the whole body, and its holistic effects are apparent in patients who find resolution to problems above and beyond those for which they have sought treatment, for example lack of energy, stress or emotional issues.
Brief History
Bowen Therapy was developed by Tom Bowen (1916-1982). The actual origins of his concepts are unknown or at least unclear though there do appear to be links with traditional Chinese medicine. What is clear is that while working as a masseur in junior football clubs in Geelong, he recognised an apparent common causal relationship in many seemingly unrelated painful conditions, particularly musculoskeletal but including neurological and other health problems. He identified this causal link or relationship as being the soft tissue or fascia that envelops the whole body from head to toe. After years of clinical work he developed a unique set of specific moves and associated timing intervals. The moves provided fascial release and stimulation resulting in long term and often immediate resolution of the presenting problem and pain.
In 1975 the government instituted Webb Committee of Inquiry into Chiropractic and Osteopathy in Australia reviewed Tom Bowen’s work. They found he was seeing some 13,000 patients a year and achieving a success rate of over 80% in his practice. From its Australian origins his innovative and unique technique has now been adopted world wide with devotees and practitioners in countries including New Zealand, USA, Canada, United Kingdom and Europe.
Conditions Commonly Treated
There is a very wide range of acute and chronic conditions for which Bowen Therapy has provided complete and long-term remission and others where significant improvement in mobility, physiology, pain, stress and general well being has been achieved. Conditions include: acute and chronic pain, fibromyalgia, back pain, lumbago, sciatica, chronic fatigue syndrome, neck pain, TMJ syndrome, shoulder pain (frozen shoulder), multiple sclerosis, leg and foot pain (plantar fascitis), autism and attention deficit disorder, emotional depression and stress, asthma, sporting and other trauma injuries. It is worth noting the similar success of Bowen Therapy in treating many comparable small animal and equine problems within Australia and internationally.
The Benefits
The principal benefit of Bowen Therapy is the often rapid and long term or permanent remission from pain, reduced stress, greater mobility and improved physical and emotional quality and enjoyment of life. Additional benefits can include increased energy, improvement in the immune system, rebalancing of the body, improved circulation, lymphatic drainage and detoxification. Further and important benefits of Bowen Therapy are that it has few contra indications. It is very gentle,
relaxing and non-invasive involving no manipulation, and is therefore ideal for everyone including children and the aged.
What to Expect During Treatment
After the initial professional exchange the patient will be invited to drink a quantity of water prior to treatment. This is an important feature of Bowen Therapy as effective fascial release requires the adequate hydration of cells. The therapist will initially open blockers and then follow with a series of specific rolling moves across fascia associated with particular muscle groups and tendons. A specified time interval is included between each series allowing the body to respond, re-hydrate tissues and commence its own healing process. During these intervals the therapist may leave the room or quietly update the patient records.
On completion of the treatment the patient, who often has already experienced pain relief, will be asked to drink additional water. They will then be advised of possible physical or emotional changes that may take place with recommendations for post treatment actions or activities, and be invited to feedback on outcomes.
Research
In a study of twenty patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia conducted by Jo Anne Whitaker, M.D., at the American College of Rheumatology, almost all participants experienced various degrees of relief which lasted from a few days to several weeks. Most reported immediate relief following a Bowen treatment. For some, repeated Bowen therapy maintained complete clinical remission. The results were statistically significant and correlated with improvement of clinical wellbeing.1
Dr. Bernie Carter at the Metropolitan University of Manchester (UK) conducted a study of patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder who have been treated by the Bowen Technique. Initial data reveal that 77% of the study group experienced positive outcomes from their treatment. Results showed improvement in mobility, reduction in pain, improvement in functioning and a high degree of satisfaction with the treatment.2
- Whitaker,J.A., Gilliam,P.P., Seba, D.B. (1997). The Bowen Technique: a Gentle Hands-on Method That Affects the Autonomic Nervous System as Measured by Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Assessment. Abstract presentation American Academy of Environmental Medicine 32nd Annual Conference La Jolla California.
- Carter, B., 2002, The effect of using Bowen therapy on the frozen shoulder. Complementary Therapies in Medicine vol 9 no 4.
