Developed in Australia in the 1950s, it is now practised across the world. It has achieved registered status with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council.
Bowen Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive, holistic, physical therapy that is designed to offer relief to aches and pains via a gentle muscle release technique.
It is a highly effective therapy that consists of moves, applied with gentle pressure, and works on the fascial tissue, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
It is increasingly being recognised as an effective remedial technique for the treatment and healing of sports injuries.
It is a safe and effective therapy that can be offered to anyone... from newborn to old age, as well as through pregnancy.
If someone is unable to lie on a therapy couch, most treatments can also be performed with the person sitting in a chair.
If preferred, it can be performed through light clothing, rather than on skin.
The fascia is a specialised system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider's web or a sweater. It is very densely woven, covering and inter-penetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as all our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord.
The most interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one continuous structure that exists from head to toe without interruption. In this way, you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia - which is why the Bowen Therapy takes a holistic approach to the body.
Trauma, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures can create restrictions that can produce tensile pressures on pain-sensitive structures that do not show up in many standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, etc.). A high percentage of people suffering with pain and/or lack of motion may be having fascial problems, but are not diagnosed.
Fascia plays an important role in the support and function of our bodies, as it surrounds and attaches to all structures. In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When one experiences physical trauma, emotional trauma, scarring, or inflammation, however, the fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted, and a source of tension to the rest of the body.
Trauma, such as a fall, car accident, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture and repetitive stress injuries can have cumulative effects on the body. The changes caused in the fascial system influence the comfort and function of our body. Fascial restrictions can exert excessive pressure causing all kinds of symptoms producing pain, headaches or restriction of motion. Fascial restrictions affect our flexibility and stability, and are a determining factor in our ability to withstand stress and perform daily activities.