The Bowen Technique
The Bowen Technique – Medicine of the future 
Sue had been suffering from lower back pain for many years and anything she tried gave only temporary relief. She had seen a magazine article about The Bowen Technique, a complementary therapy that involves a series of mainly gentle movements. She limped into my clinic presenting with sacrum pain and a misaligned pelvis. After three treatments she was no longer limping and pain free, she continues to come monthly to keep her body in balance and relieve tension as Bowen is so relaxing.
This is just one of the many success stories I’ve heard as a Bowen Therapist over the years. There are many examples of the therapy making a significant difference across a wide range of conditions, enhancing the lives of the people who are treated and their families.
The Bowen Technique originated in Australia, where it was developed by Tom Bowen over 40 years. In 1975, he was investigated by the Federal Commission on Alternative Therapies and they found he was successfully treating 13,000 patients a year. He taught only a few people, who continued his work after he passed away in 1982. One of his students Mr Ossie Rentcsh brought Bowen to England in 1993; it is now one of the fastest growing therapies in Europe.
The Bowen technique balances the body to allow it to heal itself. It consists of a series of precise moves on specific points of the body. These moves are light and can be done on skin or through light clothing. There are essential short pauses between sets of moves to allow the body to fully integrate the stimulus received. One of the most profound effects Bowen can have is on the autonomic nervous system – which controls over 80% of bodily functions, releasing stress at a very deep level. In this state of deep relaxation, the body is reminded how to heal and balance itself.
The body begins to make corrections and continues to respond for several days afterward unless interrupted by injury or strong external stimulation, including trauma, heat and bodywork. Sessions are commonly spaced seven days apart.
One of the wonderful principles of this modality is that “less is more.” The essence of Bowen is simple, yet highly effective. The moves are light, and it only takes a few precisely located moves to achieve profound results. Bowen is also holistic, working to heal the body not only physically, but on the mental and emotional levels as well. As the body progresses through its healing cycle, it experiences the release of stress, toxins, and old patterning which inhibit the body from achieving complete health.
Bowen has been found to significantly help people with
- Musculo-skeletal pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Back pain & neck pain
- Knee pain or ankle pain
- Wrist & elbow problems (carpal tunnel, RSI, Tennis elbow)
- Sports injuries or accidents
- Headaches & migraines
- Pelvis misalignment
- Sciatica
- Stroke rehabilitation and pain management
- Respiratory problems including colic & asthma
- Digestive disorders (IBS etc)
- Hormone/reproductive system conditions (PMS, menopause, PCOS, Infertility, pregnancy discomforts and birth preparation etc)
- Bedwetting
- Jaw problems
- ADHD
- Lack of energy
- Stress & anxiety
In fact there is no condition the Bowen technique will not address, encouraging the body to correct itself to its’ maximum capabilities.
Prior to treatment
It is very important an optimum six to eight glasses of pure water is drink prior to and during Bowen treatments. This will improve the effectiveness of Bowen and aid the body to flush out toxins. There should be no physical therapy i.e. massage or physiotherapy treatment a week prior to and during treatment and extreme hot or cold should be avoided eg. Hot water bottles, electric blankets, saunas, ice packs.
Maxine started her Bowen journey in 2004 when she trained with Nicola Hok and qualified in 2005. She then went on to attend the following continuing professional development courses:
- Practitioner course 1 – Nicola Hok
- Practitioner course 2 – Ossie & Elaine Rentch
- Palpation & assessment skills – John Wilks
- Mind, Body Bowen – Anne Schubert & Margaret Spicer
- Respiratory / Asthma – Alastair Rattray
- Advanced Specialised procedures 1 - Ossie & Elaine Rentch
- Advanced Specialised procedures 2 – Ossie & Elaine Rentch
She is Bowen Practitioner trained by the Bowen Association UK and The Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia to a very high, professional level and abides by a strict code of conduct.
Full member of The Bowen Therapy Professional Association and The Bowen Academy of Australia.
For more information
www.bowen-technique.co.uk - The Bowen Association UK
www.bowtech.com - The original Bowen Technique Australian site
www.bowen-technique.co - The Bowen Therapy Professional Association
www.bowen-technique.com - My website
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