What Can a Bowen Therapist Treat?
Bowen therapy is a remedial body technique that was developed by Australian Tom Bowen in the 1950s. It works on the theory that our bodies are composed of many interlocking energy fields, and that physical, mental and emotional conditions can be improved by gently manipulating them.
During Bowen Therapy sessions, the practitioner will apply light pressure to predetermined spots located on muscles and tendons. This stimulates the body’s nervous system while at the same time hydrating muscle fibres and supporting cell repair processes. Following these manipulations, the body is allowed to return back to its natural balance through a process of deep relaxation and energy healing known as ‘neuropatterning’.
With its gentle yet powerful approach, Bowen Therapy has been used for years to help with conditions such as pain management, stress reduction, injury rehabilitation and improving overall wellbeing, making it a popular choice among sufferers of all ages.
Bowen therapy is commonly used to treat a wide range of symptoms and conditions including neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, stress and anxiety, joint pain, sports injuries, frozen shoulder, and a range of other musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.
Managing pain
Bowen Therapy is a type of bodywork therapy that promotes healing through soft manual massage. It works to target areas of tension and restore balance to the body, which helps in reducing chronic pain including back and neck pain, lower back pain, feet or leg pain, shoulder or arm pain, muscle pain, sciatica, sports injuries and more.
This type of therapy involves different trigger point massage techniques that apply pressure on specific points for certain periods of time. By applying light pressure and releasing it in quick succession, Bowen Therapy can help to relieve tension from muscles, joints, or other areas throughout the body. This helps reduce common chronic pain issues like knee pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, and more. Not only does it offer relief from current chronic pain symptoms, but it can also be used as preventative care to reduce future pain flare-ups.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an often misunderstood condition that causes overwhelming and persistent fatigue on a physical, cognitive, and emotional level. It is not simply feeling exhausted from a busy day or a lack of sleep at night, but instead includes an array of complex symptoms that debilitate normal functioning.
Some key signs are extreme fatigue lasting longer than six months, unrefreshing sleep, muscle pain, headaches that don’t respond to treatment, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, and dizziness upon standing up. Unfortunately, it is still largely not understood by many in the medical field and as a result, can be difficult to diagnose as there are no specific tests used to detect it.
Bowen Therapy is a gentle, yet powerful modality which has been found effective in treating CFS. It works by targeting the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding our muscles) with light muscular manipulation to trigger responses that promote relaxation and help restore balance to the body’s systems.
This technique allows for increased circulation and better communication among cells, improving metabolism and energy regulation which can lessen symptoms like exhaustion or pain. Alongside other therapies, Bowen Therapy can be a valuable tool in helping patients dealing with debilitating fatigue symptoms manage their condition more effectively.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder that involves widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. The cause of fibromyalgia remains uncertain, although a variety of genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Symptoms typically include tenderness in the muscles and joints, along with chronic fatigue, inflammation, sleep disturbances, concentration problems, headaches and more.
Bowen therapy is a holistic approach to treating fibromyalgia that works by rebalancing the body and encouraging healing. Through a combination of gentle, light pressure massaging techniques, Bowen therapists are able to aim at specific parts of the body that are affected by fibromyalgia. By stimulating the muscles, nerves, and fascia – which interconnectedly house pain-producing toxins – Bowen treatments can break up these accumulations and provide relief for those experiencing chronic pain.
Some studies have even found that this type of myofascial release can reduce inflammation, increase joint flexibility and lead to improved posture in people with fibromyalgia. Ultimately, Bowen therapy may provide a safe and non-invasive solution for reducing your fibromyalgia symptoms without the need for harsh medications or surgical treatments.
Stress & Anxiety
Bowen Therapy has recently become more popular as an effective method to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is a gentle and holistic approach that involves specific stretches, moves and massage-like techniques over strong muscle groups which aim to stimulate balance in the body’s physiology, helping to relieve feelings of tension, stress or imbalance. Research has been conducted which supports Bowen Therapy’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety levels, decreasing rumination over difficult thoughts and improving cognitive performance. It can also be used in conjunction with other therapies such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy for best results. If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, seeking assistance from a qualified Bowen Therapist can be a safe, non-invasive and drug-free option to help you find relief from your symptoms.
Bowen Therapy is safe to use on safe people of all ages and is used as a complementary therapy to treat and manage a range of issues. To find out if Bowen Therapy is right for you, talk to your GP today.
