Bowen Therapy is a light touch, myofascial release technique that moves soft tissue in order to relieve tensions & restrictions in the body, easing pain & stiffness. As a non-invasive body work therapy, The Bowen Technique is well suited to those wishing to improve physical issues & range of movement without feeling like they’ve been put through the mill, with the added bonus of enjoying an extremely relaxing experience in the process. Bowen Therapy is a safe technique for children, the very elderly & throughout pregnancy.

What happens in a Bowen Therapy session?

During a ​​Bowen Therapy treatment the therapist applies gentle but firm pressure to move fascia – a type of connective tissue rich in nerve receptors – at specific points around the body. The session is interspersed throughout with 2 minute breaks which allow the brain & nervous system to process, recalibrate & effect changes within the body.

How does The Bowen Technique work?

We do not need to use hard pressure nor make harsh adjustments in order to reach the deeper tissues in the body. In fact, when working to ease pain it is counter productive to create pain during a treatment!

So what makes Bowen Therapy work? The fascia that we move during a treatment session is richly supplied with nerve receptors which communicate with the nervous system & the brain.

When we apply gentle pressure to specific points around the body we send information to the brain via the nervous system (afferent messages) which the brain must process in order to maintain whole body balance (homeostasis). Once processed, the brain sends new information (efferent messages) via the nervous system to the body, allowing the physiological changes necessary to restore balance.

How can Bowen Therapy help with anxiety & stress?

During times of adversity, struggle, stress or trauma the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – responsible for the fight/flight/freeze responses that keep you safe from perceived danger- goes into survival mode. Receiving Bowen Therapy can have a positive impact on your stress response because the Bowen move is gentle & non-invasive, helping regulate the nervous system & instil feelings of safety. When feeling safe the ANS begins to come out of survival mode & begins to allow you the chance to reconnect with your body.

What are the benefits of Bowen Therapy?

Typical results reported by clients after a series of 3 to 6 successive sessions include:

• reduced pain levels
• reduced tension, stiffness & restrictions
• improved posture & better movement
• improved sleep patterns
• better recovery times following physical exertion
• a greater feeling of wellbeing within oneself

The Bowen Technique is not a quick fix – just think how long it has taken your body to develop the issues you are currently experiencing! Each person will respond to treatment differently, some faster than others. But healing can be a many layered process, therefore a slow & gentle approach is far more effective. Less is definitely more!

Exercises

Prescribed movement exercises & stretches can enhance the bodywork from each session, aiding reconnection with areas of the body which we have focused on.