Understanding Bowen

Bowen is used extensively in hospitals and clinics throughout the EU and Australiasia and is growing fast in the US as a pain treatment that is highly effective (90% of clients have a positive outcome).  For context here is a list of what Bowen is NOT as sometimes it helps to compare to other therapies. 

Bowen is NOT Massage.

Bowen is not manipulative; Bowen moves go no deeper than fascia on superficially accessible muscles and only with gentle pressure. Rubbing or even prolonged touching on an applied Bowen "move" can weaken it.

Bowen is NOT Directional "Energy Work."

Given its parameters, even energy work can be intrusive: practitioners can focus too much on accomplishing their own desired results, which may or may not coincide with the client's needs. Bowen practitioners, on the other hand, are taught to focus only on doing a precise movement accurately, and then physically leaving the room.

Bowen is NOT Physiotherapy or Neuromuscular "Re-Education."

Stretch reflex, Golgi reflex and reciprocal enervation may be involved in the muscular releases as a result of Bowen and these occur on a cellular level and expand out physically. In fact, people may fall asleep during a session, and many will not feel the effects for several days. These factors distinguish the Bowen Technique from remedial exercises or movement training that some people need for long-term injury recovery.

Bowen in NOT Trigger-Point Therapy.

Some points are unavoidably similar even though the referral zones are different. Most trigger points are found in the core of muscles, while Bowen muscle moves are usually made where two muscles or muscle groups overlap. This and other factors seem to make Bowen most similar to fascia work but...

Bowen is NOT Fascia Release.

With each Bowen move, the fascia is rocked and minutely "disturbed"; it is not forcefully separated. After a series of Bowen sessions, adhesions tend to loosen and scar tissue frequently softens and shrinks on its own because impediments to the natural healing process are removed.

Bowen is NOT Lymphatic Massage.

Bowen does stimulate lymphatic releases, in that sinuses will often drain during the session; breast lumps may shrink or be gone within a few weeks; and excess fluids are usually eliminated within the week. Bowen does not, however, use the percussion or vigorous stroking of lymphatic massage, although there is a bit of gentle "milking" done around the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle.

Bowen is NOT an Emotional Release Modality.

The intent of a Bowen session is not to effect emotional releases. However, some people report the dramatic lightening of spirit and a subtle but pervasive refocusing of troublesome emotional patterns. Many body-workers consciously focus on the interface between physical and emotional, trying to touch on that which is hidden behind a protective wall of hyper-tense musculature. Excessive pressure is not needed; Bowen Therapy confirms that the best access is gained by the least threatening approach.