What is The Bowen Technique?
The Bowen Technique is a remedial therapy tool. That is, it is used by therapists to mainly 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. Developed by Tom Bowen, many valid forms of his work exist in the world today.

How Does it Work?
The work is very subtle, relaxing and gentle involving no hard or prolonged pressure. During a session the client will lie on a therapy table or bed, although the work can be effectively carried out with the client in a chair.

Most of the work can be performed through light clothing, although some therapists prefer to work on skin. The ultimate choice should be that of the client's however. Although each session will vary according to the skill and experience of the therapist, as well as the presenting problems of the client, an initial treatment will address the whole body. As a general rule, moves will be made over the lower and mid back and legs, the upper back and shoulders before finishing with neck moves with the client supine (face up).

What can it treat?
Although we say that we do not treat specific conditions, there are of course many cases of certain conditions being helped with The Bowen Technique. To read some case histories click here In any situation there is no condition 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 also is extremely effective on more complex or organic problems, such as Asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines and stress.

Case Histories

COLIC. Boy, aged 4 months, 1 treatment
J. was four months old and suffering from severe colic after meals which was distressing for him and for his poor parents. During the Bowen treatment he seemed to relax completely. After this one treatment he had no further colic.

BACK PAIN - SCIATICA Man, aged 40, 1 treatment
P. was unable to put weight on his right foot and the therapist paid a home visit. He was in severe pain and had been all day, from the buttock right down the leg. He was extremely tense and tight. The therapist gave him one treatment and was able to observe his body relaxing during the 40 minute session.. He was virtually pain free when he got up and was walking normally. Two years later, the therapist reports that the problem has not returned.

SPORTS - CARTILAGE/LIGAMENT DAMAGE male, aged 23 4 treatments
As a cricketer and rugby player, H's left leg was in a brace following cartilage removal and damage to the AC ligament. His right leg was in plaster nearly to the knee due to further ligament problems and he was on anti-inflammatory tablets. Some severe pain followed the first Bowen treatment and the left knee became temporarily more swollen. However, after four treatments the hospital verdict was that the knees were now very stable and that a further anticipated operation would no longer be necessary.

FROZEN SHOULDER Woman, aged 48, 2 treatments
Susan's doctor diagnosed frozen shoulder and sent her for cortisone injections, of which she had many. The problem would subside somewhat but always came back. Susan was a keen tennis player and, of course, could now no longer play. After two years of this, she was sent to a specialist who then diagnosed bursitis. He told her that she would have to have injections for the rest of her life to manage the condition. At this point, depressed and feeling written off by the medical practitioners who could offer nothing but cortisone injections, Susan decided to try The Bowen Technique. Two Bowen treatments resolved her frozen shoulder and she has had no problems since - and is playing tennis again very happily.