What Is The Bowen Technique? by Dr. Manon Bolliger

The Bowen Technique is a gentle, deeply relaxing, non-invasive physical therapy that frees the body to attain its natural balance and healing. Effective as a structural treatment for specific pain, Bowen therapy addresses the body as a whole. Its embrace often extends beyond the presenting symptom to the healing of underlying physical, chemical, emotional and mental causes of chronic illnesses.

In a Bowen Technique session, the patient lies on a bed, wearing loosely fitting

clothes and relaxes, even falls asleep at times. The therapist applies a carefully orchestrated series of gentle movements along the spine and at specific points throughout the body. These movements consist of a subtle rolling of muscle, nerve, tendon and connective tissue. The therapist leaves the room between each pattern in the series so as to allow the patient the maximum space for deep relaxation and integration of the information received.

It is the deeply relaxed state -- both caused by and facilitating the impact of the specific soft tissue moves -- that seems to act upon the body’s autonomic, or self-governing nervous system to enable it to achieve homeostasis at a cellular level and regain its own natural balance.

Sessions usually last one hour and take place generally over seven-day intervals. Often no more than two to five sessions are required for the treatment of most conditions.

WHAT IT IS NOT

Any time someone is introducing a new technique there is always the temptation to compare it to other, perhaps already known, techniques. This is understandable as the comparison gives us some tangible element to visualize as we try to grasp the specifics of the new approach. Such comparisons can be helpful in giving a general idea of what’s involved with the new technique.

However, if we want to properly understand the new technique, it is essential to distinguish it from its probable comparisons. This isimportant not only so that we have a clearer idea of what's uniqueabout the Bowen Technique, but also because a number of the likely candidates for comparison with Bowen are actually contraindicated when being treated with Bowen Therapy if one is to gain the benefits of the Bowen Technique.

1. Bowen is not Massage.

Those newly introduced to Bowen often associate it with massage. However, its operation and objectives are quite different. Furthermore, rubbing or even prolonged touching around a Bowen "move" just applied can weaken the effectiveness of the move. Bowen moves go no deeper than fascia on superficially accessible muscles, and only do so with gentle pressure.

2. Bowen is not Acupressure.

Some of the areas of focus in a Bowen treatment will coincide with acupuncture points, but there are so many acupressure points, some overlap is inevitable. With Bowen "points," though, a more focused intervention is complemented with a more economical application. In the Bowen Technique, one simple move across the structure is all it takes.

3. Bowen is not Chiropractic.

No manipulation of the skeletal system is made. Most practitioners and many clients observe vertebral movement, but this is evidence of the body realigning itself and the effectiveness of the Bowen treatment. Chiropractic adjustments following a Bowen treatment are contraindicated.

4.Bowen is not Directional "Energy Work".

Given its parameters, even energy work can be intrusive. Practitioners can focus too much on accomplishing their own desired results, which may or may not coincide with the client's needs. Instead, Bowen practitioners are taught to focus only on doing a precise movement accurately, and then physically leaving the room.

5.Bowen is not Physiotherapy or Neuromuscular "Re-Education”.

Stretch reflex, Golgi reflex and reciprocal enervation may be involved in the muscular releases, but these occur on a cellular level and expand out physically. In fact, people may fall asleep during a session, and many will not feel

the effects for several days. These factors distinguish the Bowen Technique from remedial exercises or movement training that some people need for long-term injury recovery.

6. Bowen in not Trigger-Point Therapy.

Some points are unavoidably similar even though the referral zones are different. Most trigger points are found in the core of muscles, while Bowen muscle moves are usually made where two muscles or muscle groups overlap. This and other factors seem to make Bowen most similar to fascia work but...

7.Bowen is not Fascia Release.

With each Bowen move, the fascia is rocked and minutely "disturbed"; it is not forcefully separated. After a series of Bowen sessions, adhesions tend to loosen and scar tissue frequently softens and shrinks on its own because impediments to the natural healing process are removed.

8.Bowen is not Lymphatic Massage.

Bowen does stimulate lymphatic releases, in that sinuses will often drain during the session; breast lumps may shrink or be gone within a few weeks; and excess fluids are usually eliminated within the week. Bowen does not, however, use the percussion or vigorous stroking of lymphatic massage, although there is a bit of gentle "milking" done around the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle.

9. Bowen is not an Emotional Release Modality.

The intent of a Bowen session is not to effect emotional releases. However, some people report the dramatic lightening of spirit and a subtle but pervasive refocusing of troublesome emotional patterns. Many body workers consciously focus on the interface between physical and emotional, trying to touch on that which is hidden behind a protective wall of hyper-tense musculature. Excessive pressure is not needed; Bowen Therapy confirms that the best access is gained by the least threatening approach.

WHAT CONDITIONS RESPOND TO THE BOWEN TECHNIQUE?

The Bowen Technique is safe to use on anyone, from the newborn to the elderly, as there are no vigorous manipulations employed in the treatment. The soothing and restorative effects of Bowen therapy have been found to reduce physical, emotional and mental stress; improve joint mobility, increase circulation of lymphatic and venous fluids and the assimilation of nutrients; and eliminate toxins.

Bowen practitioners have found it achieves profound, substantial,

rapid and lasting relief from a wide spectrum of conditions: Musculo-skeletal pain, Respiratory problems, Arthritic Pain, Allergies, Back Pain (Chronic and Acute), Asthma, Bunions, Bronchitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Hay Fever, Fibromyalgia, Sinusitis, Foot and Ankle Problems, Frozen Shoulder and Pain, Digestive Disorders, Gait Disorders, Bowel Problems, Hammer Toes, Colic, Hamstrings, Constipation, Headaches, Crohn’s Disease, Heel Pain, Indigestion, Hernia, Inflexibility, Gynecological problems, Knee and Hip Restrictions, Breast Lumps, Leg Length Discrepancies, Infertility , Migraine, Mastitis, Plantar Fascitis, Premenstrual Syndrome, Pelvic Problems, Polymyalgia, Postural Problems, Balance Problems, RSI/ OSS, Bed Wetting in Children, Sciatica, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Scoliosis, Earache and Ear Infections, Shin Splints, Hemorrhoids, Sporting Injuries, Tinnitus, Tennis Elbow and TMJ Syndrome.

In place of the illness and discomfort experienced with the conditions listed above, Bowen introduces a state of ease and wellbeing.

ORIGINS OF THE BOWEN TECHNIQUE

The forefather of The Bowen Technique, Thomas A. Bowen (1916-1982) of Geelong Victoria in Australia, was a quiet, reserved and enigmatic man with an uncanny, but happily teachable gift for healing. Although details of his life history, professional training and work experience are in dispute, there is agreement that an attempt by the Victorian government to discredit the technique he devised turned into its greatest promotion.

In 1975, Bowen was treating 13,000 patients per year (as assessed over a 27-week period), when the Victorian government launched an inquiry into alternative health practices. Not only were his clientsreporting remarkable outcomes, he was found to be achieving these results with treatments that usually involved only two or three sessions per client. In the end, an inquiry that initially appeared as a threat to his practice became a major promotion of The Bowen Technique.

Over the years, Tom Bowen agreed to train only a half dozen students. The first seminar they held was in Perth, Australia, in 1986. Among those initial students were the Osteopath and Natural Therapist, Oswald Rentsch and his wife Elaine. Since Tom Bowen’s death, the Rentsch’s have pioneered the expansion of The Bowen Technique around the world, introducing it throughout Australia, New Zealand, North America, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Austria, France, Italy, Israel and South Africa. It has been so successful that in 1992 the Rentsches implemented a Teacher Training Programme. There are currently 60 teachers offering seminars around the globe.

In Canada, the recently established Bowen Academy is a professional association for Canadian Bowen therapists. The association ensures the highest quality of Bowen training and lists those practitioners that have been certified in the Original Bowen Technique and practitioners from different schools. The Bowen Academy registry maintains strong lines of communication between practitioners to help uphold a rigorous ethos of professional responsibility. To find a practitioner, go to www.thebowenacademy.ca.

Dr. Manon Bolliger is a Naturopathic Doctor, Classical Homeopath and Senior Bowen Instructor in Canada. She has been treating patients using the Bowen Technique for over 16 years with great success. Her infectious enthusiasm for the method has been an inspiration to hundreds of students all over the country. Dr. Bolliger offers the certification level of Bowen instruction, and has accredited many practitioners over the years. For more information, visit www.healingwhatis.com or call 604-732-6222.