What is Bowen Therapy?
Bowen therapy is a soft tissue, hands-on modality that works with the body's innate ability to heal. It is its own modality but Tom Bowen, the man behind the therapy, was most likely informed by other modalities such as shiatsu, acupuncture, chiropractic, oesteopathy and massage. When people ask what Bowen is like, it's hard to answer because it isn't really like anything else. And while it is difficult to say what Bowen therapy is exactly, it is easy to say what it isn't: it isn't massage, it's not chiro, it's not manipulative. What it is, though, is gentle, effective, non-manipulative and quite possibly the most wholistic therapy your body can experience.
How does it work?
The Bowen moves work on the fascia, the connective tissue just under the skin. There was a time when we were told to just 'trust the technique' because it works. This made Bowen seem woowoo and hard to understand. We have come a long way since those early days and I can now properly bore you with the details of what each move is doing and why; and how that might affect your body. Like, in a scientific way. Luckily, most people just want to know enough to know that the therapy isn't woowoo and it's not anything to do with magnets (not that there is anything wrong with magnets - it's just that sometimes Bowen gets lumped in with other therapies people don't really understand).
The way the Bowen move is made sends an impulse to the brain and the brain sends that impulse through the body. Often the person receiving Bowen will have responses to the move. Sometimes there will be heat, or cold; tingles, twitches; or just an overall awareness of something happening in an area. This can help indicate what work needs to be done. And more times than not, the body will go into a parasympathetic response: think rest and digest. And if the body is in the parasympathetic system, that means it's out of 'fight or flight' mode and that is a beautiful place to be. We forget that we shouldn't be 'on' all the time. Bowen reminds us how to turn 'off'.
Our bodies are energy. The Bowen move is energy. The move is trying to facilitate a change in your nervous system. This is usually quite a gentle process, allowing your body to change in its own way and its own time.
The way the Bowen move is made sends an impulse to the brain and the brain sends that impulse through the body. Often the person receiving Bowen will have responses to the move. Sometimes there will be heat, or cold; tingles, twitches; or just an overall awareness of something happening in an area. This can help indicate what work needs to be done. And more times than not, the body will go into a parasympathetic response: think rest and digest. And if the body is in the parasympathetic system, that means it's out of 'fight or flight' mode and that is a beautiful place to be. We forget that we shouldn't be 'on' all the time. Bowen reminds us how to turn 'off'.
Our bodies are energy. The Bowen move is energy. The move is trying to facilitate a change in your nervous system. This is usually quite a gentle process, allowing your body to change in its own way and its own time.
What should I do before and after a session?
One of our recommendations with Bowen therapy is to not have any manipulative therapy (think massage, chiro, oesteo, acupuncture etc) 5 days either side of a Bowen session. So that means if you're having a health and well-being day and you've booked in a massage with someone and a Bowen session with me then you need to choose either the massage or the Bowen. Doing both could potentially confuse your body and the chance is that neither treatment will be as beneficial as having only one on the day and waiting at least 5 days to have the other. Bowen works in well with many other therapies but it is recommended to not do too many therapies at once because it doesn't allow each therapy a chance to do what it's designed to do. So when we say 'no manipulative therapies for at least 5 days' it isn't because we are being precious about our modality; we say it so you can get the best result possible from whatever therapy you choose. Some practitioners will mix modalities in a session and that is up to them. I don't do that. If you are coming for Bowen, I will only be doing Bowen.
It's a good idea to be well hydrated before (and after) a Bowen session. Water helps the fascia move better and provides for a more effective treatment (from my experience). It's also recommended, after a Bowen session, to go for a walk. Doesn't have to be long. Doesn't have to be right away. But it will help incorporate the work. It's also recommended to get up and move every 30-60 minutes after a session, especially for lower back issues. Basically, just don't go home and be a couch potato.
It's a good idea to be well hydrated before (and after) a Bowen session. Water helps the fascia move better and provides for a more effective treatment (from my experience). It's also recommended, after a Bowen session, to go for a walk. Doesn't have to be long. Doesn't have to be right away. But it will help incorporate the work. It's also recommended to get up and move every 30-60 minutes after a session, especially for lower back issues. Basically, just don't go home and be a couch potato.
Is there anything Bowen can't help?
Of course! We all present with issues differently and there can be numerous reasons behind what is going on for someone. Overall I believe everyone can benefit from Bowen because of how it works. Reminding the body to shift into the parasympathetic nervous system alone has untold benefit on our health and well-being. Bowen isn't for everyone. But that doesn't mean it's not effective or having an effect - even if the issue you come with hasn't resolved. We are complicated beings and sometimes it takes awhile to unravel what is going on in a body. Sometimes Bowen is all you need. Other times, it's not. And sometimes Bowen is a piece of the puzzle to help you in finding a solution to your problem. Generally you'll know after a few sessions whether Bowen is working for you.
Are there different types of Bowen?
Short answer: yes. Longer answer: Bowen therapy is named for Tom Bowen, a man from Victoria credited with creating the therapy. Before he died, he allowed a handful of men to observe his work. Each man had his own interpretation of what he saw. One man took his interpretation and created Bowtech Bowen. This is the school I studied with. Bowtech has brought Bowen to the world in an easily teachable format that anyone can study. The other men taught different variations but all those variations come under Bowen. There used to be several Bowen schools in Australia but due to RTOs and their requirements, the registration is onerous and right now there is only one training school registered to teach in a government recognised capacity.
What is a session like?
I can only speak for how I work, which could be different to every other Bowen therapist out there. A first appointment at balancing act therapies - Bowen Therapy on Block Island can be up to 90 minutes long. The Bowen work itself is usually between 45-50 minutes. After a client arrives and the intake form is completed, we talk about what is going on for the client. I allow time for the story because often the issue that propels someone to call for an appointment is complex. Bowen treats the whole body, not just the symptoms. After the client intake, I do visual assessments of posture and range of motion. Sessions are quiet to minimise the inputs being given to the client. The treatment starts with the client face down on a massage treatment table. Clients are able to wear loose or light clothing, or they can be in their underwear, with appropriate draping, if that is more comfortable for them. I always try to work to a client's comfort level. After a series of moves with a client prone (face down), more moves are made when the client turns over. Sometimes moves will be done seated or standing. I check in with a client after the first few moves to see if they are noticing anything in their body. The session continues in this way - a few moves, I walk away, we wait and this repeats until we finish. I will usually give a summary of what I 'found' while working on you and sometimes there is homework to do (think stretches or exercises) to enhance the work we've done.
Why the waits?
Because that's where the magic happens! And also because that's how long it takes (90-120 seconds) an input, such as a Bowen move, to move through the body. Bowen is a 'less is more' therapy. We give the body a few moves and walk away to allow the body to incorporate the new information. In this way we don't inundate, or over stimulate, a usually already over activated body. Giving the body small bits of information to incorporate allows it to heal in its own time, at its own pace. Clients are often very surprised at what happens during the waits.
Why aren't I getting better?
It can be the role of your Bowen therapist to manage your expectations about what the modality can do for you, and the time frame you may be looking at to achieve your health and well-being goals. Please keep this in mind for chronic complaints: the issue you've had for a long time took ages to get to where it is now. Expecting complete resolution of the issue in one session of Bowen (or any therapy for that matter) is not fair on the modality, the practitioner or your body. Give yourself time to get well. Bowen helps your body to make the shifts it can. This may take time and the shifts may be small. But remember that saying 'slow and steady wins the race'? Bowen therapy might just be the thing to help you 'win the race'.