The Bowen Technique

It has been my experience that Bowen treatments are able to greatly reduce the effects of allergies on sufferers by regulating and calming the nervous system and reducing the inflammatory response.

Easing tension in the diaphragm and other muscles of respiration will allow our chest to expand and contract and our lungs to inflate and deflate more effectively, facilitating more comfortable breathing.

The gentle moves of Bowen are perfect for babies and children and they often experience a positive response in mood and well being very quickly.

Bowen can be used to help with any number of health issues experienced in our first weeks, months and years of life.

Bowen is especially helpful for babies with colic.

Babies who are finding it difficult to feed or settle may have had a difficult birth experience and Bowen may gently help them to recover from this trauma.

By promoting physical and emotional balance and healing and by regulating the autonomic nervous system to allow the development of more refined reflexes, Bowen can help children to overcome bedwetting.

By assessing what is happening in the whole body as well as focusing on easing tension in the lower back, buttocks and back of the legs, Bowen will alleviate pressure to the sciatic nerve, and reduce pain. It is also important to address the core muscles and pelvis as these contribute greatly to the build-up of tension in the lower back as well as our overall posture.

By using very light Bowen moves, we can lower the sympathetic nervous system response (which is often heightened in cases of Chronic Pain & CRPS), reducing inflammation and facilitating a calmer emotional state. Pain and sensitivity will reduce, mobility will improve and the texture of the skin (that often accompanies CRPS) may normalise.

When we are anxious or depressed, we are often stuck in a state of ‘fight or flight’. The slow and gentle moves of the Bowen Technique tell the body that “the emergency is over”, encouraging our nervous system to calm and regulate so that we can begin to feel more balanced & grounded in mind and body.

By engaging with the vagus nerve we help our nervous system to balance and regulate, impacting upon how our digestive system is functioning. Gentle Bowen moves are made over the abdomen to encourage digestive flow and to release excessive tension in the abdominal muscles and organs of digestion which may be contributing to digestive issues.

By using very light pressure, the Bowen moves can help the nervous system to regulate, reducing inflammation and nerve sensitivity and facilitating a calmer emotional state. Sleep will usually improve, allowing the body to repair itself. With time, energy builds and mood to lifts, helping you to feel more hopeful and positive about the future.

The very gentle pressure of the Bowen moves seems to have a positive effect on the state of muscles, joints and fascia as well as regulating the autonomic nervous system to balance the inflammatory response which may be causing pain.

Bowen is a whole-body treatment that may encourage any restrictions within the soft tissue to open and release, allowing an improved flow of blood and lymph and enhancing the flexibility and hydration of the joints and surrounding tissues.

Bowen moves tell us that “the emergency is over”, encouraging our bodies to repair and heal, and let go of any emotional shock that may be being stored in the soft tissue after trauma.

By encouraging deep relaxation and release of tension around the head, neck and jaw which may be causing restrictions in blood flow contributing to the pain.

In my experience, Bowen will reduce the severity and frequency of Migraines and Headaches and may alleviate them altogether.

Bowen aims to ease tension in the soft tissues of the neck and shoulder girdle and to reduce any inflammation in the shoulder joint by regulating the nervous system.

The Temporo Mandibular Joint (TMJ) and the pelvis may also be addressed, as imbalances in either of these areas will have a direct effect on tension in the neck and shoulder.

The Bowen moves may encourage the bones and soft tissues of the Pelvic Girdle to embrace a more balanced position and to release tension in the soft tissues of the inner thigh and groin.

The Temporomandibular Joint (the bony protuberance just in from your ear) will also be looked at, as an imbalance in the TMJ will be affecting the position of the pelvis.

Bowen may ease pain and inflammation in the joints and address any excessive tension in the calves and feet (especially the soles).

The pelvis, the inner thigh, the back (hamstrings) and side (iliotibial band) of the leg may also be addressed as these have a direct influence on the way our knees, ankles and feet move.

I have used Bowen with many women during their pregnancy to help alleviate pain and tension (especially lower back, hips and groin) and to help create space within as their baby grows and moves.

Bowen moves may help the abdominal muscles knit back together and the coccyx return to it’s rightful position after a vaginal delivery.

Bowen also instills a deep feeling of calm and wellbeing for mum and baby.

Bowen aims to relieve excessive tension and create space in the soft tissue of the neck, shoulder, arm, hand and wrist where nerve impingement may be causing pain.

To encourage the body to calm the inflammatory response and reduce any inflammation caused by repetitive movements, which in turn will improve flexibility and reduce pain.

Bowen aims to facilitate deep relaxation and a feeling of wellbeing in mind and body by encouraging our nervous system to calm and regulate.

The slow and gentle moves of the Bowen Technique tell the body that “the emergency is over”, encouraging our nervous system to calm so that we can begin to feel more balanced & grounded in mind and body, enhancing our ability to cope with stressful situations in a more effective and calm way.

Gentle Bowen moves facilitate deep relaxation in mind and body by encouraging our nervous system to calm and regulate so that our bodies can more effectively manage symptoms of chronic illness.

Chronic pain may be reduced by encouraging the flow of lymph, reducing inflammation and nerve sensitivity and improving circulation to the extremities and around the body.

Bowen addresses any build up of tension in the neck, face, head and jaw which may be contributing to the pain and effecting the mobility and balance of the TMJ. The pelvis will also be addressed as an imbalance in this area may be influencing the TMJ.