The Bowen Technique is a wonderfully effective therapy for just about whatever troubles you and it is also a treat to receive, because it is so gentle and relaxing. The technique was developed by a gifted and innovative therapist called Tom Bowen in Australia during the 1950s and has only been taught in the UK relatively recently. In the 1970s, the Australian Government ‘Report into Complementary Therapies’ found that Tom Bowen was treating 13,000 people.
How does it work?
It is thought that Bowen simply ‘reconnects’ parts of the body with the brain, using the many receptors distributed throughout the body. In this way the precise minimal moves brings about an 'unblocking' of communication and energy pathways, so that the body can naturally heal itself.
What is a treatment like?
The practitioner, using thumbs and fingers, makes very gentle, rolling-type moves over precise points on the body. These gentle moves aim to disturb the muscles, soft tissue and energy within the body. Then, as a standard part of the Bowen Technique the client is left resting to give the body time to incorporate the moves that have just been performed. This pause allows the body's different systems to respond to the moves. After a break of a couple of minutes, the practitioner will apply another small set of moves and then leave the client again and so on, until the treatment session is finished.
Treatment Schedule
Bowen can begin at any time during pregnancy. It is safe and non-invasive. Bowen has particular uses for relieving back pain and sciatica, Symphis Pubis Disorder, Obstetric Cholestatis, Oedema, and postural issues.
Bowen is also particularly useful for re-aligning the pelvis, and we recommend it around 33-34 weeks of pregnancy before the baby’s head is engaged. This correction of any pelvic tilt encourages and helps the baby’s head to engage within the pelvis and rotate easily within the birthing canal to an occipito-anterior position, which is the optimum position for vaginal birth.
We also advise a treatment at 39 weeks to help the baby’s head drop down further into the pelvis.
If the baby is overdue, certain gentle Bowen moves on the coccyx can be done to encourage labour.
Bowen during pregnancy
The Bowen Technique plays an important role in the healthcare of women during pregnancy. The technique can be performed in its entirety with the female sitting down or lying on her side and, given the effective changes that occur during and after a Bowen treatment, it is an integral part of the process for mothers-to-be.
The spine and pelvis of an expectant mother are particularly vulnerable due to the stresses of carrying an unborn child and many problems arising during pregnancy may be directly related to the health of the spine. Bowen works by:
- Relaxing the muscles, thereby increasing blood-flow, lymphatic drainage and nerve supply. This enables the body to restore and maintain optimal functioning of its natural processes during pregnancy and increases flexibility of the musculoskeletal system so that the expectant mother's body can more easily make the changes necessary for healthy development of the foetus.
- Rebalancing the musculoskeletal system. Instability of the pelvis, especially during the latter stages of pregnancy, can cause backache to intensify and occur more frequently as the baby gets heavier. A system of Bowen moves involving the back, pelvic and sacral areas cause the body to rebalance the musculoskeletal system, thereby quickly and effectively alleviating pain and discomfort.
- Rebalancing and energizing the body as a whole. As aches and pains are gently and easily relieved with Bowen, it can be used to treat all common pregnancy problems, including backache, sciatica, neck tension, aching legs, swollen ankles and hands, headaches, fatigue, nausea, heartburn, constipation, haemorroids, decreased energy levels. In addition, it is an extremely relaxing treatment for the expectant mother.
Most Bowen procedures can be performed on an expectant mother almost up until labour commences as well as being used successfully for inducing labour in overdue pregnancies, should the female wish.
Bowen and Birth
The birth itself may leave the mother with lower back and pelvic pain and, even after the most straightforward of births, the body of the female needs to readjust and rebalance.
Subsequent to the birth and whilst the mother is nursing, feeding and caring for the baby, Bowen plays a significant role in adjusting the body and assisting in its returning to its natural state. Any old or new aches and pains can be gently and quickly relieved and the treatment is extremely relaxing for the mother.
Bowen therapy is so gentle and non-invasive that certain moves can be useful as early interventions shortly after the birth. This can sometimes be crucial to the recovery of the mother postnataly if there has been any intervention during the birth. The mother’s body has been through a series of changes and the treatment can encourage a faster return to normal function and posture. It can help by stimulating lymphatic drainage, relaxing and realigning the pelvis and vertebrae, and establishing balance in the hormonal system.
Bowen Technique for Newborns
Newborn babies come on an incredible journey to make their entry into the world. If they are lucky, then their journey will be a normal and natural affair, but occasionally, intervention has to happen for their safe arrival. Where there has been intervention such as Caesarean section, forceps or vacuum extraction, then the baby could have problems around the neck area as babies are designed for compression not traction. Simple moves around the trapezium, occipital and SCM can help to relieve tension in the neck. There are also moves for the diaphragm which help expand the lungs and can relieve colic where fluid has been ingested.
Birth is one of the most traumatic processes a child will go through. The baby is able to have Bowen within a day or so after the birth. As it is so gentle, the child is barely aware of being treated.
Bowen therapy can help treat many infant disorders, including:
- Colic
- Feeding problems e.g. reflux
- Unsettled and distressed behaviour
- Respiratory problems e.g. asthma
- Hiccups
Bowen therapy has proven to work wonderfully with children of any age for numerous disorders, including the relaxing and calming of hyperactive children.