Bowen Therapy
Bowen Therapy
Bowen therapy is practised and taught in 15 countries. Internet sites abound with patient testimonials and clinical anecdotes. Bowen has obviously helped thousands around the world. But it seems no one really understands how it works.
It’s easier to say what Bowen therapy is not. It is not chiropractic, nor massage, nor shiatsu, nor healing touch therapy, nor physiotherapy, nor any other physical modality. Everyone agrees, however, that Bowen’s mechanism has to do with triggering the body to rebalance itself. Bowen is a gentle manipulation of muscles at key points in the body to stimulate the flow of energy and promote the healing response.
How is it Performed?
Bowen therapy can safely be used on anyone from newborns to the elderly and infirm. It is drug-free, non-invasive, and without side-effects. A typical treatment involves a preliminary consultation. The patient then relaxes comfortably on a bed (not a table). To soothing music, the therapist will do some “moves” with the fingertips.
A move is a gentle rolling motion over muscle and connective tissue at specific sites, usually on the back, neck, shoulders, buttocks, or hamstrings. Then, the move is allowed to “cook’ – that is, take effect, while the patient rests for about three minutes. The therapist will do a series of further moves with rests in between. Patients become very relaxed and may even fall asleep.
Conditions Helped By Bowen Therapy
Besides chronic and acute pains, other conditions respond to Bowen such as migraines, carpal tunnel, sciatica, scoliosis, asthma, infant colic, and TMJ (jaw joint) problems. A quick treatment on a pregnant woman can chase away nausea. Often, there’s an unexpected bonus–a treatment for pain will improve other ailments as well. This happens because the whole body responds. Healing occurs systemically, not just in one spot.
The Development of Bowen Therapy
The discovery and development of the Bowen technique is the work of an Australian, Tom Bowen. During the 1950s, Tom worked with junior football leagues as a masseur. Quite accidentally, he discovered that his fingers were extremely sensitive to nerve vibrations. He could feel nerve and muscle blockages. Gradually he discovered a way to unblock them.
His results were so dramatic that he began seeing patients privately during his time off. He treated 13,000 people per year until his death in 1982. In his later years, Tom trained osteopath Oswald Rentsch to document his work, teach it and introduce it to other countries. Rentsch and his wife Elaine have done just that.
Today, Bowen therapy is practiced and taught worldwide. Oswald and Elaine Rentsch remain the driving force behind Bowen, travelling, teaching and managing the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia.
To find a Bowen therapist near you, visit bowtech.com and click on “practitioners.”
Related Articles
Chronic Pain
Natural Pain Relievers
Source: alive #Aug 09 Newsletter
Bowen therapy is practised and taught in 15 countries. Internet sites abound with patient testimonials and clinical anecdotes. Bowen has obviously helped thousands around the world. But it seems no one really understands how it works.
It’s easier to say what Bowen therapy is not. It is not chiropractic, nor massage, nor shiatsu, nor healing touch therapy, nor physiotherapy, nor any other physical modality. Everyone agrees, however, that Bowen’s mechanism has to do with triggering the body to rebalance itself. Bowen is a gentle manipulation of muscles at key points in the body to stimulate the flow of energy and promote the healing response.
How is it Performed?
Bowen therapy can safely be used on anyone from newborns to the elderly and infirm. It is drug-free, non-invasive, and without side-effects. A typical treatment involves a preliminary consultation. The patient then relaxes comfortably on a bed (not a table). To soothing music, the therapist will do some “moves” with the fingertips.
A move is a gentle rolling motion over muscle and connective tissue at specific sites, usually on the back, neck, shoulders, buttocks, or hamstrings. Then, the move is allowed to “cook’ – that is, take effect, while the patient rests for about three minutes. The therapist will do a series of further moves with rests in between. Patients become very relaxed and may even fall asleep.
Conditions Helped By Bowen Therapy
Besides chronic and acute pains, other conditions respond to Bowen such as migraines, carpal tunnel, sciatica, scoliosis, asthma, infant colic, and TMJ (jaw joint) problems. A quick treatment on a pregnant woman can chase away nausea. Often, there’s an unexpected bonus–a treatment for pain will improve other ailments as well. This happens because the whole body responds. Healing occurs systemically, not just in one spot.
The Development of Bowen Therapy
The discovery and development of the Bowen technique is the work of an Australian, Tom Bowen. During the 1950s, Tom worked with junior football leagues as a masseur. Quite accidentally, he discovered that his fingers were extremely sensitive to nerve vibrations. He could feel nerve and muscle blockages. Gradually he discovered a way to unblock them.
His results were so dramatic that he began seeing patients privately during his time off. He treated 13,000 people per year until his death in 1982. In his later years, Tom trained osteopath Oswald Rentsch to document his work, teach it and introduce it to other countries. Rentsch and his wife Elaine have done just that.
Today, Bowen therapy is practiced and taught worldwide. Oswald and Elaine Rentsch remain the driving force behind Bowen, travelling, teaching and managing the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia.
To find a Bowen therapist near you, visit bowtech.com and click on “practitioners.”
Related Articles
Chronic Pain
Natural Pain Relievers
Source: alive #Aug 09 Newsletter
posted by Plowlady at
3:43 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home