Bowen therapy was developed during the 1950s by a lay-healer from Australia, Thomas Bowen. Bowen therapy is a noninvasive, gentle form of hands-on treatment that requires relatively few office visits yet provides numerous health benefits. Historically, Bowen therapy is a strong contender in bodywork that is safe enough for all ages and most physical conditions.
Stress Relief
The gentle manipulation process and the right to "bare arms" is a definite bonus in the area of relaxation. Bowen therapy uses pain-free techniques to balance the autonomous nervous system, a control center for many emotional and physiological responses. "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide" explains how the process begins with moving the lower back and hips into proper placement while lying face down on a bed or massage table. This adjustment often initiates sleep and allows the back to align without painful movements involved.
Pain Relief
The practitioner uses smooth, gliding motions of the hands, tracing muscle groups. Bowen Therapy International posits that this method increases oxygen to the muscles and tissues, improves circulation of the blood and lymph nodes, releases toxins and eliminates excess fluid in the muscles and joints. As these movements increase the flow of bodily fluids, the flow of energy returns to the body and allows inflammation to decrease dramatically and healing to take place.
Applicability to Common Illness
Sessions generally last between 20 and 40 minutes with optimum health benefits occurring in 1 to 3 office visits. Bowen Therapy Washington suggests using this treatment modality as a complement to traditional medicine and procedures.
Common illnesses that have seen the most benefit from Bowen therapy include hormone problems, sciatica/back pain, headaches/migraine, mental irregularities, stress/tension discomfort, bronchial symptoms, neck restrictions, muscular problems, sporting injuries, improved lymphatic drainage, digestive problems, sinus/hay fever, chronic fatigue syndrome, frozen shoulder, breast lumps/pain, general fatigue, carpal-tunnel syndrome/finger numbness, TMJ (jaw) pain, body balancing, pregnancy back pain, improved health and wellness, whiplash, leg cramps, bursitis, coccyx pain, arthritis, scoliosis, groin pain, constipation, infertility, dizziness, colic, influenza, prostate, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow and hammer toe.
References
- Bowen Therapy International: Bowen Applications
- Bowen Therapy Washington: What Does Bowen Therapy Treat?
- "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide (2nd ed.)"; Trivieri, Jr., L. & Anderson, J. (Eds.); 2002



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