A Bowen treatment will last from between 30 minutes to an hour depending on the nature of the injury or treatment needed. There are frequent points during that time where the Bowen Therapist will leave the room to allow your body to engage with the movements it has recieved.

The pressure used on the body is relatively small and there is no crunching or cracking involved in the process. 

The key element of Bowen is that it addresses the body as a unit without treating specific diseases or illnesses. We do however have moves that work on certain areas such as the shoulders and pelvis etc. The technique is expressed in its intention to treat the whole system. By putting in the breaks in between each set of moves, we are giving the brain and body a chance to absorb the information; and where possible or necessary start to act on it.

Major Elements of Bowen Technique

The Bowen Move

This is a reciprocal pressure rolling type move over specific areas of muscle, ligament or tendon.

The Stoppers

The lower stoppers are the first moves in any Bowen treatment. The location of the lower stopper is on the most concave point of the curving spine. The upper stoppers are located on the most convex part of the spine. The moves on these areas invite the muscles to relax and move in the opposite direction, creating an opening effect on the erector spinae group, which are several sets of muscle than run along both sides of the spine.

The Breaks In Between

After each set of moves the Bowen Therapist leaves the room. This is done, in essence, to restrict the amount of information being given to the brain at any one time. The breaks gives the client their own space without distraction from someone else in the room.

No Other Treatments

There is much debate over this particular element of Bowen Technique. As I have mentioned earlier some people can be quite sensitive to the sometimes profound effects of a Bowen session. Hence it is strongly recommended not to mix with other treatments within 7 days of having had Bowen, simply because it could be too much for the body.

Secondly, as a therapist, it makes feedback considerably easier if the client is having one treatment at a time.

Conclusion

Ultimately The Bowen Technique will not suit everyone, however I believe it is a wide ranging therapy that fully embraces many of the finest points of the holistic world, and offers a drug and intervention free alternative to clients who prefer to take a more ‘hands-on’ approach to complimentary health.