So what exactly is the Bowen Technique?
The Bowen Technique is a soft tissue therapy suitable for both adults and children from all walks of life and provides an alternative to physiotherapy. The Bowen Technique doesn’t use adjustment or manipulation. Instead through the use of anatomically placed moves the connective tissue surrounding organs and muscles is relaxed. This in turn ensures the muscles are working in the correct combination and length. With the body structure balanced, function will follow.

How is the Bowen Technique performed on me?
The therapist uses fingers and thumbs to make rolling moves over specific muscles, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue.  The aim is to trigger specific nerve endings which send neurological impulses to the brain. Bowen connects the brain directly to where the problem area is.  The stimulation is like pressing ‘reset’ and encourages the body’s natural healing process to resume. The work is very subtle, relaxing and gentle involving no hard or prolonged pressure.

Treatments are performed through light clothing and the client will lie on a therapy couch.  Clients unable to lie down can be given a treatment sitting in a chair or standing.

What is different about the Bowen Technique?
Treatments address the body as a whole rather than focus on a specific health issue or problem.  Extra procedures can be added in during a treatment to address presenting problems.

What should I expect during my treatment?
During a treatment, the therapist will perform a set of moves and then leave the room for a couple of minutes to allow the client to rest.  Rest breaks are a key feature of the Bowen Technique.  Breaks allow the body the opportunity to create a decision about what action (rebalancing and realignment) needs to be taken in response to the moves given.

How long will a treatment last and how many will I need?
Treatments last forty minutes to one hour.  New clients are advised to book a course of four to five treatments each spaced a week apart to give the body a chance to respond.  Most people will have responses within four to five sessions, even long standing chronic conditions may respond. Other conditions might need to be treated more often, but in either case it is recommended that clients return for regular treatments every six to eight weeks to maintain optimum health.  Clients prone to sports injuries may benefit from regular treatments to prevent injuries or improve sports performance.

Will I have any side effects?
Some clients react to treatments.  Symptoms may include tiredness, stiffness, flu like symptoms, headaches, or an increase in original symptoms.  Although these symptoms may be unpleasant, it shows that the body is responding to the treatment and that self-healing may be occurring. It is vital a client does not cease with a course of treatments in response to a strong reaction.  Moves during a treatment are so subtle that if the body reacts strongly it shows how powerful the Bowen Technique is and that further treatments are essential to aid the healing process.