(also referred to as...)
Neuro-Structural Integration Technique, NST, The Bowen Technique
Introduction
Bowen is a dynamic system of muscle and connective tissue therapy involving gentle, non-invasive, delicate movements. The technique is based on minimal intervention and is designed to induce your body's natural healing process by stimulating energy flow. Positive moves promote a positive energy flow while negative moves restrict the energy to a specific area. It is important to note that Bowen is not direct energy work, but a physical approach to stimulating and directing energy flow in the body.
Bowen induces a response by restoring balance to the body and is a simple, safe, and cost-effective approach to healing. In addition, Bowen procedures are long lasting and individuals often only require two or three sessions to realize success. The technique has been used for over forty years to treat a variety of ailments and conditions.
Bowen has many similarities to Homeopathy, which also induces your body's natural healing process through minimal intervention. For more information, see the dedicated section on Homeopathy.
A History
"The Bowen Technique" was created by Tom Bowen in the 1950's in Victoria, Australia. Following service in WWII, Tom Bowen became aware of certain moves he could make on the body to help alleviate suffering. His technique developed through an extreme hypersensitivity in the fingers that allowed him to feel surface tension as well as "nerve vibrations" and subsequent blockages in the nervous and muscular systems.
Bowen called his technique "Soft Tissue Therapy" and, over time, developed a system of moves that promoted the body's natural healing process. He would help people whenever he had spare time and, as word of his technique and success spread, people began to arrive at his home or pass him on the street and request treatment. Eventually, Tom Bowen opened a clinic.
Though he had no formal training in the field of health care, the success of The Bowen Technique amazed both professionals and laymen alike. Tom Bowen claimed his technique was simply "a gift from God". The Australian Web Report of 1975 noted that Tom Bowen was able to see 13,000 patients per year! He had no notes, charts, or manuals, as he practiced more from his head than from paper. In 1974, Oswald and Elaine Rentsch came to his practice and studied with Tom Bowen for thirty months. During this time, the Rentshs were able to document the technique and verified the accuracy of their research and observations with Bowen.
The Rentschs first taught the technique after the death of Bowen -- an agreement held between the two parties. Today, training seminars are held globally and "The Bowen Technique" is quickly coming to the forefront as a viable means of healing.
Procedures
Treatment involves the use of a series of specific moves, or procedures, followed by two minutes of patient rest, allowing the body to begin or further enhance the healing process. Bowen locations coincide with the Meridian lines on the body. This correlation was not intentional on behalf of Tom Bowen, yet it is an interesting coincidence. A Bowen practitioner will have a thorough understanding of tissue tension and the presence of one or more energy imbalances. With this knowledge, procedures are then performed.
Procedures are either done directly on the skin or can be performed through clothing. The first step is to identify the "structure" -- muscle, tendon, or nerve sheath -- of focus with the thumb or fingers. The skin slack is then gently nudged in the opposite direction of the move. The underlying muscle is "rolled over" using gentle pressure in the direction of the move. The skin is then moved across the structure. Bowen involves only a limited number of complementary moves per session and frequent pauses between movements.
The following procedures are used in Bowen. Basic relaxation moves (BRM) are often performed at the beginning of your session to help you slow down and relax. Your Bowen practitioner will help explain these procedures to you:
- Basic Relaxation Moves (BRM):
- BRM -- Lower Back Procedure
- BRM -- Back and Shoulders Procedure
- BRM -- Neck and Shoulders Procedure
- Breast Procedure
- Breast Tenderness Procedure
- Chest Pain Procedure
- Coccyx Procedure
- Frozen Shoulder Procedure
- Kidney Procedure
- Knee Procedure
- Pelvic Procedure
- Respiratory Procedure
- Upper Respiratory and Temporomandibular Joint Procedures
How Does It Work?
A number of theories exist as to why Bowen is such a successful healing technique. The predominant theory holds that a Bowen move sets a specific vibrational energy or frequency in the body that induces a very specific response.
As with homeopathy, it is difficult to scientifically analyze Bowen from a reductionistic, mechanistic perspective. Yet while the mainstream and alternative medical communities continue to ponder the specifics of Bowen, people continue to be healed with this technique.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
The range of ailments, illnesses, and conditions that can benefit from Bowen is truly remarkable. From simple muscle pulls to infertility, Bowen has proven successful in many cases.
Bowen can be used in cases of allergies, asthma, breast tenderness, bronchitis, constipation, cough, depression, eczema, fever, fibroids of the breast and uterus, flatulence, headache, hernia, hormonal problems, infertility, irregular milk supply, kidney problems, lower back pain, menopause-related problems, muscle sprains and strains, pelvic-sacral coccyx misalignment, premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual-related lower back pain and headache, respiratory problems, sciatica, sleeping problems, sports injuries, stress, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and much more.
Bowen is also an excellent approach when dealing with fibromyalgia, as the technique is very gentle. It is important to note, however, that Bowen will not cure fibromyalgia, but will help relieve other symptoms and conditions associated with this ailment.
As treatment is minimal, non-invasive, and directed at the root cause(s), Bowen represents a viable route towards healing. Discuss with your Bowen practitioner, naturopath, or other health practitioner the use of this technique as part of your healing protocol.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
If employing Bowen therapy, this technique should be the sole healing modality used for four days prior and five days following treatment. Abstain from massage, cold packs (or any extreme temperature application to treatment locations), rubbing, acupuncture, or other therapeutic techniques to ensure maximum effectiveness of your Bowen treatment.
The Coccyx Procedure should not be performed on pregnant women, as it can induce labour.
Bowen procedures should not be performed in situations where the Bowen location is directly on a cancerous tumour.
Great care should be taken when performing Breast Procedures on breasts with silicone implants, which could break or rupture.
Typical Session(s)
Your Bowen practitioner will spend some time with you before beginning the session, discussing your concerns and health problems. After asking you to lie down on either your front or back, he or she will perform one or more procedures that will induce the healing process in your body. In most cases, moves are first preformed on the left (negative) side of the body, followed by the right (positive) side. For more information, see Procedures, above.
People fall asleep fifty percent of the time during a Bowen session and their brain enters a parasympathetic, natural healing mode. If this is the case, your practitioner will simply allow you to sleep.
Upon completion of treatment, your Bowen practitioner will assist you in sitting up. You will likely feel dizzy and will have to sit for one or more minutes until you feel clearer. Following this, he or she will assist you in standing up and ensure you place both feet on the ground at the same time.
To further facilitate the healing process, your Bowen practitioner will ask you to walk around the table or perform some other motion. It is also best to drink plenty of water following treatment to help detoxify the body, where applicable.
As you begin to heal, "tissue memory" may come into effect if dealing with more dramatic or traumatic injuries. Under tissue memory, events leading to an injury or ailment are "replayed" in the reverse order that they occurred. This process happens very quickly in Bowen and may also be accompanied by an emotional release, if part of the tissue memory.
Contacts
BowTech
48 O'Brien Avenue
Stouffville, Ontario
L4A 1G6
Canada
Tel.: 905.642.2930
Fax: 905.642.2333
Email: similar@home.com
U.S. Bowen Enterprises, Inc.
Gene Dobkin and Cynthia George
P.O. Box 892226
Temecula, California
92589-2226
United States
Tel.: 909.587.8765
Toll-Free: 1.800.US.BOWEN (87.26936)
Fax: 206.201.6151
Web: www.usbowen.com
Email: gene@usbowen.com, seminars@usbowen.com
European College of Bowen Studies
38 Portway
Frome
Somerset
BA11 1QU
United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 (0)1373.461873
Web: www.TheBowenTechnique.com
Email: enquiries@thebowentechnique.com
Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia
PO Box 4187
East Burwood, Victoria
3151
Australia
Tel.: 0500.550012
Fax: 03.9762.9556
Web: www.bowen.asn.au
Email: info@bowen.asn.au
Ailment / Situation Listing
