The Bowen Technique is a straightforward, no-nonsense remedial therapy that is non-intrusive, gentle and very effective.
A Bowen Technique treatment affects the body in ways which promote healing, pain relief and recovery of energy. The experience of the treatment is gentle, subtle and relaxing and it is these features which make the Bowen Technique so unique.

Osteopaths, chiropractors, sports therapists and physiotherapists are among the many professional practitioners who use the Bowen Technique and all who practice it are continually amazed at the effectiveness of this simple and. gentle form of ''hands on" therapy. Non-professionals, too, are delighted with the results which can be achieved on family and friends.

What does a treatment involve?

A Bowen Technique treatment will take approximately 45 minutes and. most of the work can be performed through light clothing. Three treatments, at weekly intervals, are often sufficient to achieve lasting relief from even long standing pain, although further treatments may sometimes be required.
To receive maximum benefit it is recommended that other physical therapies are not mixed with the Bowen Technique, e.g. massage, reflexology, physiotherapy, etc. Consult Dr Charles-Holmes for information.

How does the Bowen Technique work?

The practitioner uses thumbs and fingers on precise points on the body to make rolling type moves which aim to set up a vibration in the muscles, soft tissue and energy within the body.
During the treatment there are periods in which the client is left resting to allow the body to absorb the gentle moves that have been performed.
This gives the body time to make the subtle and fine adjustments which help to relieve tension, reduce pain and initiate the healing process.
The Bowen Technique encourages the body to realign itself; there is no manipulation or adjustment of hard tissue and no force is used or needed.
The Bowen Technique is not a form of massage.

What can it safely treat?

Common presenting problems include back and neck pain, knee problems, sports injuries, RSI, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and respiratory conditions. Conditions such as chronic fatigue, hay fever, headache, kidney problems and problems requiring lymphatic drainage have responded favourably to The Bowen Technique. Some people use The Bowen Technique as a means of stress management and health maintenance, seeing their therapist regularly 2- 4 times a year.
The Bowen Technique also addresses many other conditions. It is generally regarded as safe and effective for people of all ages.

Where did the Bowen Technique originate?

The Bowen Technique was pioneered by Thomas Ambrose Bowen, born in 1916 in Geelong, Australia.
After working in miscellaneous labouring jobs as a young man, he developed a great interest in massage and body work and spent time observing football trainers and others evolved with sports. By the time he was in his early 40s, this gifted man had established a full time practice in remedial therapy used the technique he had developed.
In 1978, when he was interviewed by a parliamentary committee looking into complementary medicine, he stated, under oath, that he treated about 280 patients per week with the help of an assistant and a receptionist - an incredible 13000 patents a year, 88% of whom only required two or three treatments!

Mr Bowen died in the early 1980s but today there are a number of flourishing therapies based on his work.

The benefits of Bowen: case histories
(Source: European College of Bowen Studies)

Malcolm Stemp, an osteopath and homoeopath for 40 years and also a past lecturer in osteopathy at Oxford University says of the technique: "A great truth. It answers all the laws of natural medicine, namely that the body be treated as a whole without reference to a named disease"

INFANT COLIC
Boy aged 4 months, 1 treatment
J was sufferings from severe colic after meals which was distressing for him and for his parents. During the Bowen treatment, the baby seemed to relax completely. After this one treatment he had no further colic.

FROZEN SHOULDER
Man aged 62, 3 treatments
A D arrived with a frozen shoulder that had restricted his natural arm movement to less than 20% of normal. The shoulder was exceedingly painful to lie on and as an active man keen on amateur dramatics it was making life difficult. He was seen three times, after which the shoulder had returned to 100% range of movement with no further pain.

SCIATICA
Man aged 40, 1 treatment
P was unable to put weight on his right foot and was in severe pain from the buttock right down the leg. He was extremely tense and tight. The therapist gave him one treatment, observing P's body relaxing during the 40 minutes of the treatment. He was virtually pain free when he got up and was walking normally.
Two years later, the problem has not returned.


PAIN - LOWER BACK INTO HIPS & KNEE
Woman aged 26, 3 treatments
F is a very tall (6'2") nursery nurse, so works with tiny people and furniture all day, She had had this problem for 2 - 3 years. MRI scans had not revealed any cause for the pains and physiotherapy treatment had been to no avail. After the second Bowen treatment she said "it is 99% beter than it was". After three treatments, the problem was completely gone and the resolution holding.

ARTHRITIS, WHIPLASH AND FALL
Woman aged 58, series of treatments
J is overweight with arthritis in both knees (for 23 years) which had spread to her neck, right foot and right hand.
She had also had a whiplash injury twice and fell at work 11 years ago, pulling the ligaments from the backbone to the hips. Her job requires her to do quite a lot of lifting and carrying. After a few weeks of Bowen treatment her knees were much better. Following treatment on her hamstrings the results were amazing. She couldn't remember when she last had that amount of flexibility in her knees. Further treatments brought the same results to other parts of her body. Headaches due to the arthritis are also gone.

SPORTS INJURY
Man aged 25, 4 treatments
As a cricketer and rugby player, his left leg was in a brace following cartilage removal and damage to the AC ligament. His right leg was m plaster nearly to the knee due to further ligament problems and he was on anti-inflammatory tablets. Some severe pain followed the first Bowen treatment and the left knee became temporarily more swollen. However, after four treatments the hospital verdict was that the knees were now very stable and that a further anticipated operation would no longer be necessary.

INJURY AFTER FALL
Woman aged 80 5 treatments
When B was 75 she had a bad fall from a ladder which broke under her and a piece of it went through her left leg. A steel plate had to be attached to her leg with thick screws. When B first went for Bowen treatment, her left knee was solid, swollen, red and hot. With the first treatment, the swelling went down noticeably, the skin colour was normal and she could see her ankles! Two weeks later, she arrived for a second treatment with some swelling and redness which had returned, but was not as severe as it had been. From then on the improvement was steady and without relapse. After five treatments, the leg was very much better and she could wear normal shoes and sandals.