How Does Bowen Work?

Click below to watch a short video about the fundamentals

The Science of Bowen

Primarily using fingers and thumbs, gentle and precise movements are made at specific points on the body, creating disturbances across the fascia, (the soft connective tissue which includes muscles, tendons, and nerve bundles), triggering a shift in the body from “fight or flight” mode into “rest, digest and repair”.

During the treatment people experience deep relaxation as they switch into rest and repair and sometimes fall asleep.   You need to be in this state for your body to heal.

In contrast to many other hands-on therapies, Bowen does not force the body to change, rather

it acts as a catalyst to the body recognising its own imbalances and making the changes itself,

thereby inducing effective and long-lasting results.  It is so gentle that it is suitable for anyone, from newborns to the elderly.

Because Bowen releases stress at a very deep level, via its calming effect on the Autonomic Nervous System (fight or flight mode), it sets the scene for the body to heal itself as it activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest, digest and repair).

The gentle yet powerful cross-fibre Bowen moves, send neurological impulses to the brain via the nervous system, found in the superficial and deep fascia that envelops, separates and influences every organ, system and tissue in the body.  Here the information is shunted backwards and forwards via a complex self-corrective feedback mechanism after which the information is sent back down the spinal cord to individual muscles to relieve pain and tension and rebalance the body chemically, hormonally, energetically and physically.

Bowen therapy sees the body as a collection of interconnected systems that affect one another.

One dysfunctional area of fascia in your body can change the position of everything else.

Bowen focuses on finding and targeting that dysfunction, allowing your body to put everything back into place.

These Bowen movements also activate your body’s blood flow and lymphatic drainage. It brings new oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues while rapidly removing waste products from your cells. This restores balance back to your body systems and aids the healing process.

Unique to Bowen, are the 2-5 minute deliberate pauses throughout the treatment. 

The body is left resting quietly to respond to the information it has been given. It allows the body the opportunity to create a decision about what action needs to be taken in response to these messages. Clients often report feelings of heat or tingling in specific areas, and go into a state of deep relaxation.

Originating in Australia, Bowen Therapy has been around since the late 1950s and is used around the world. It’s been practiced in the UK since 1993.

Bowen is designed to help quickly overcome a range of physical and emotional challenges including muscular skeletal ailments and injuries, minor injuries such as sprains and strains, aches and pains, inflammation, restless babies and chronic pain or illness. It can help to improve sleep patterns, energy levels, emotional clarity and generally give you a more positive outlook on life.

It treats you as a whole person and not just a specific symptom. 

Conditions that have responded positively to Bowen

General Well-being

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Migraine/Headaches

  • Vertigo/balance problems

  • Tinnitus

  • Stress & Tension

  • Concentrate and focus

  • Pain Management

Musculo Skeletal System

  • Back and neck pain

  • Whiplash

  • Frozen shoulder

  • Tennis/Golfer's elbow

  • RSI

  • Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

  • Arthritic pain

  • Jaw issues

  • Scoliosis

  • Postural problems

  • Gait disorders

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Leg length discrepancies

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Shin splints

  • Foot & ankle problems

  • Knee and hip restrictions

  • Pelvis problems

  • Back pain & sciatica

The Respiratory & Digestive System

  • Asthma

  • Bronchitis

  • Hay fever

  • Sinusitis/sinus problems

  • Constipation

  • Colic

  • Crohn's disease

  • Indigestion

  • IBS & bowel problems

Children, Babies, Gynaecological, Pregnancy & Post Childbirth

  • Colic/asthma in infants

  • Glue Ear

  • Cerebral Palsy

  • Dyspraxia

  • ADHD

  • Bed Wetting

  • Menopausal symptoms

  • Breast tenderness

  • Irregular periods

  • Swollen legs

  • General well-being & energy levels

  • Re-aligning the body & spine post child birth

  • Mastitis

Every Body Is Different

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

Most people only need 3-4 treatments before experiencing a positive long-lasting improvement to their health and wellbeing, ideally spaced 1-2 weeks apart.

Many people then have top up treatments every 4-12 weeks for preventative and maintenance measures. We all inflict stresses and strains on our bodies and minds through the busy lifestyles we lead and are therefore constantly making ourselves vulnerable to injury and stress. Regular top-ups can help strengthen and balance the body, making us more able to deal with these environmental factors and bounce back quicker. These top up appointments also greatly help the management of chronic conditions and contribute towards our long-term health.

Can I Do Other Physical Therapies Alongside Bowen?

A single Bowen session can initiate a plethora of beneficial changes that continue for several days after treatment. Undergoing other physical therapies during this time can interrupt this process and undermine the overall effectiveness of the Bowen work.  It may also overload the body with information or confuse the body with the different instructions.  It is therefore recommended that you wait at least a week after completing Bowen work before commencing any other physical therapy.