Bowen Therapy
The Bowen technique is a dynamic system of muscle and connective tissue therapy that was developed by the late Tom Bowen in Geelong, Australia. It is sometimes called the 'homeopathy of bodywork'. It utilises small but measured inputs to the body stimulating the body to heal itself, often profoundly.
Rather than focusing on a single complaint, the Bowen technique addresses the entire body, by restoring balance via the autonomic nerve system (ANS). The ANS controls over 80% of bodily functions and is very susceptible to external stressors. Most people today live in a constant state of high stress and sympathetic ANS over-stimulation ('fight, flight or freeze mode'). Healing can occur only after the ANS shifts from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance ('rest, relax and repair mode').
A Bowen 'session' involves one or more 'procedures', each of which consists of several sets of 'moves'. Between each set of moves, the practitioner pauses for as many minutes as are needed for the client's body to begin responding. After the nervous system begins to adjust the tension level in the muscles, the client is ready for the next set of moves.
In contrast to other hands-on disciplines, where the practitioner imposes correction on the client through the technique performed, the Bowen technique allows the body to heal itself with minimal intervention. Because of the subtlety of Bowenwork and the body's continuing response to it, other forms of manipulative therapy performed up to four days before, or five days after, a Bowen session my interfere with its effectiveness.
Bowen Therapy is effective in alleviating such conditions as:
- Back pain and sciatica
- Digestive and bowel problems including Irritable Bowel
- Ear ache, ear infections and migraines
- Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome
- Knee, ankle and foot problems
- Menstrual and hormonal irregularities
- Neck/shoulder problems, including frozen shoulder
- Groin pain, pelvic tilt and uneven leg length
- Respiratory problems and hay fever
- RSI, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow
- Sports and accident injuries
Sports Bowen
Sports Bowen Therapy is used in the prevention and cure of injuries for all levels of sport. These range from the weekend sportsperson to the Professional athlete. Sports Bowen is very effective in relieving tight hamstring and psoas muscles, plantar fasciitis, a tight ilio-tibial band and many more sports related complaints.
Mind, Body & Bowen
The Mind, Body and Bowen technique helps the client connect to the sensations in the body. What we don't let ourselves feel or express becomes stuck and causes muscular tension. Only when these muscular tensions finally release can a state of well-being and relaxation follow.
Burnout/Fatigue Bowen
Understanding and treating the different forms of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
- Sport induced chronic fatigue
- 20 to 50 chronic fatigue
- Teenage chronic fatigue
- Baby fatigue
Stroke Bowen
Bowen Therapy to help with neurological deficiencies after stroke.
Paralysis - function/sensation
Hemiparesis - one sided weakness
Hemianopia - half sight loss
Aphasia - lost language skills
Apraxia - lack of co-ordination
Dysarthria - slurring speech and drooping mouth
Working with Back Pain
Covering a wide variety of differing symptoms related to back pain, and ways of treating such pain from a truly holistic perspective.
Health Funds
The following Private Health Funds contribute to Bowen Therapy treatments, depending on the level of your cover:
- Australian Health Management
- Australian Unity Health
- CBHS ®
- Credicare Health Fund
- Grand United Health Fund P/L
- Grand United Corporate Health ®
- HBA
- Health-Partners
- IOR Australia
- Medibank Private Ltd (only under package bonus benefits)
- MBF - Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Limited
- Mutual Community
- NIB Health Funds Ltd
- NRMA Health Pty Ltd (SGIC/SGIO Health)
- Queensland Country Health Ltd
- SGIC/SGIO see NRMA
- Teachers Federation Health ®