Where does The Bowen Technique come from?
The Bowen Technique was developed by Mr. Tom Bowen of Geelong Australia. Little is known about Mr. Bowen's early life, but we do know that he had no formal experience in any field of therapy or medical study. How he came by his remarkable gift is not certain, but we do know that he was working on animals - greyhounds and racehorses - before he became busy as a therapist working primarily on humans. He was also a sports coach and put his gift to good use with sporting injuries.
It wasn't long before he was one of the busiest therapists around. In 1974, the Victorian government commissioned an investigation into alternative therapies, and it was estimated that Mr Bowen was treating 13,000 a year. Most of these he said were not repeated treatments, with 88% of these being first or second treatments. The treatment was taught to others and past on, and is still used very effectively today.

What is the Bowen Technique?
Its simple yet profoundly effective, it is a series of soft tissue moves designed to allow the body to reset and heal itself. Using the thumbs and fingers, the practitioner lightly moves specific muscles, tendons and ligaments, which promotes the healthy function of the body system. It is a gentle and a non-manipulative therapy. The Bowen technique, address the whole person, allowing the body to re-balance itself and commence the healing process. The technique is safe for people of all ages and because it is so gentle, babies to the elderly can be treated.

How does it work?
The technique cannot be compared to any form of therapy currently in existence. There is no defined answer to how it works it is believed to be closely connect to the brain and central nervous system. As there is no other premise for this treatment it is though that when the therapist makes a move over a muscle tendon or ligament it is believed the brain investigates and decides the move is painless and acceptable to the body hence the start of the re-balancing and healing process. All we know is it does work! One unusual feature of the technique is the short gaps during the treatment when the practitioner leaves the room. Though often considered strange to people having the therapy for the first time, this is an important part of the technique allowing the body to rest and absorb the effects.

Can it help me?
Through stimulation of the body's own self-healing processes the following conditions respond well:-

The list is endless because it treats you as a person it treats anything out of balance within the body.

What to expect in a treatment
I will take a full consultation, which includes medial history, discussion of your current condition and anything that may be relevant. It will be very informative and relaxing, the session takes place on a massage couch either undress to underwear or in lose clothing. The Bowen session itself lasts approximately 45-60 minutes it consists of a basic set of moves, which, also work over the meridians of the body extra moves are performed according to the problem I have been presented with. The moves are performed using thumbs or fingers in certain points around the body, making rolling type moves over the soft tissue - muscles, tendons, ligaments. In many cases long-standing pain can be relieved in 2-3 sessions, and sometimes even after one session, although further treatments may be required in some situations. People who receive the therapy are continually amazed that the treatment which feels so gentle can be so effective.

Discuss
The Bowen Technique is very versatile and treats many aliments. It is also one of the lesser known forms of complimentary therapy. If you have a problems and want to know if The Bowen Technique can treat it contact me by email, christine@womack.org.uk or give me a call to discuss, on 01603-477583.

Testimonials
15 November 2002

I must admit I was skeptical. Even during the treatment I could not understand what was going on, it was like nothing else I had received. What ever was going on it worked for me and my abducters have been great ever since. At the age of 45 I am now playing squash as I did when I was a teenager and all the knots in my hamstrings and abducters have now gone.

Neil, Northampton.

27th March 2003

My first meeting with Christine Womack was for some deep massage to a very painful shoulder and she mentioned the Bowen therapy. I agreed to receive this "new" treatment as I was suffering recurring problems with my back and right knee. At the first treatment I wondered what I had let myself in for, but as I was in pain. I was at the stage where you give a witch Doctor a go! However, after one treatment I felt more at ease and after a few appointments found myself a lot better. My body felt correctly balanced, indeed, my right foot which for years had splayed out was now straighter because of this rebalance. I would encourage anyone to give it a try as it is such a gentle treatment that really "packs a punch"