The Bowen therapist is working on the body’s fascial network using painless and non-invasive touch of the body’s soft tissue at very specific points in the body. It is often pleasant and deeply relaxing to receive, however sometimes there may be slightly painful spots in various congested areas. The therapist will use their thumbs and fingers to apply a light series of move to stimulates specific areas on the body that enables the body to relax and correct any dysfunctions to restore balance. The gentle moves send neurological impulses to the brain. There are the “pauses” (of approximately 2 minutes) after a series of Bowen challenges, when the brain feeds impulses back to realign the body. This often relieves and relaxes the muscles involved in a pain/spasm loop.
Focusing on treating the cause rather than the symptoms, Bowen therapy has consistently shown it can provide profound and lasting healing as well as pain relief. This relief is experienced by many people who come with a wide range of painful conditions, even when other types of treatments have resulted in little improvement.
Lidia has also studied other forms of Bowen therapy including NST. NST’s capacity to resolve long standing back pain, neck pain and spinal conditions is unprecedented.
Science has only just now discovered the staggering vast nature of the fascia’s role in every minute and intrinsic aspect of the body. The terms “fascia” and “interstitium” is now rapidly being recognised as the body’s largest organ!
The definition of “an organ” must exhibit consistent structure and function across its entirety. The fascia/ interstitium, is a comprehensive network of connective tissues, and fulfills these criteria. It is now widely being accepted that the fascia and interstitium forms a critical part of our physiological architecture.
Conditions that can respond well to Bowen Therapy include:
- Acute and chronic pain with musculo-skeletal or neurological origins
- Nerve related pain
- infant colic,
- multiple sclerosis,
- mild to severe hip pain,
- knee problems and pain,
- fibromyalgia,
- Circulation,
- Stress,
- Lymphatic and venous draining,
- Hamstring inflexibility,
- Back pain,
- Sciatica pain,
- fascial restrictions,
- Twisted / misaligned pelvis,
- Chronic fatigue syndrome,
- Neck pain,
- Arm pain and carpal tunnel syndrome,
- TMJ syndrome,
- Shoulder pain (including frozen shoulder),
- Leg and foot pain (including plantar fasciitis),
- Emotional depression and stress.
Often it does not matter how old the injury is, Bowen Therapy may still help to relieve fascial restrictions.
Advice after Bowen therapy
Bowen Therapy works best when you can avoid heavy lifting twisting, jogging/running and strenuous exercise for the 7 days after your therapy.
Your may be advised not to have any other physical manipulative therapy or strong stretching – for examply therapies such as yoga, physiotherapy, chiropractic, or massage – for 7 days after the treatment, while your body adjusts and settles. Tom Bowen indicated the body needed 7 days to heal and fully adjust.
Fascia responds very differently when well-hydrated. Fascia can become gluey to each other so it is important to drink enough clean filtered water and a good quality mineralised water will aid the body in recovery as a start. It is recommended to engage in light movement and avoid sitting for long periods especially in the first 24 hours. Sometimes the body may experience aches and pains and unsettling process immediately in the 3 days following Bowen Therapy this is often a good sign, please maintain excellent hydration, minerals, electrolytes and gentle movement to obtain the most of your therapy.