The Bowen technique is a soft tissue remedial therapy, named after its innovator Tom Bowen . The technique involves the therapist using fingers or thumbs to move over muscle, ligament tendon and fascia in various parts of the body.
The work is very subtle, relaxing and gentle involving no hard or prolonged pressure. During a session the client will lie on a therapy table or bed, although the work can be effectively carried out with the client in a chair.
One of the most common questions asked is "What procedure is used for xxxx condition?" It's a frustrating question with an equally frustrating answer: we treat the body as a whole. If we assign specific pages or procedures to specific problems, then we are fundamentally misunderstanding what Bowen is all about. Naturally enough, there are indications that certain pages might be involved with certain problems, but we mustn't forget to look at the bigger picture. Whatever a patient is presenting with, they can be treated as there are no contra-indications when using The Bowen Technique, just remember to treat the person.
What Responds Well to The Bowen Technique?
The most common presentation is back pain and here Bowen excels. The average number of treatments would be two or three for most therapists. There are always going to be exceptions to any rule, and certain people will need further or even on-going treatments. Frozen shoulders are a particular favourite as are neck pain, hayfever, asthma and migraines. Sports injury is a field of remedial therapy that is becoming very aware of The Bowen Technique. Not only do sportsmen report fewer injuries when treated regularly but they also notice an increase in performance. The Bowen Technique is being used at high levels of sport in this country, with rugby clubs and premiership football clubs showing interest.
The above information was taken from the European College of Bowen Studies.