History of The Bowen Technique
The History of the Bowen Technique
Thomas Ambrose Bowen (Bor 1916 and died in 1982) worked at a cement works in Geelong Australia. He developed this unique therapeutic system born out of his interest in alleviating human suffering. He noticed that when he made certain moves on a body it had particular effects. Tom developed and refined the effectiveness of his observations without any formal training.
He treated 1,000’s over the years, he always treated children for free. Gradually he started to accept peoples donations for treatment which enabled him to treat full time and give up his cement works job.
Tom stated that the therapy was a gift from God.
What is the Technique?
Bowen is a simple gentle therapy. There is no manipulation or massage it is a series of moves around the body using gentle pressure to move over tendon and ligaments with resting breaks to allow the appropriate response to take place. People often feel deep relaxation, tingling or heat during a treatment.
Bowen treats the person holistically, addressing the whole body and can help with back pain, sciatica, whiplash, asthma, IBS, hamstring strains, migraine and help to prevent sporting injuries.
The Bowen Technique is in continual developmemt and is now being used in hospitals across the country
How does Bowen work?
By doing specific moves the Bowen Technique creates connections between the brain and the body. These connections are sometimes lost which can result in symptons of pain and discomfort. The technique prompts an increase in blood supply to nerve endings and a speeding up of the healing process.
My Story
How did I come to Bowen?
I found Bowen quite by chance. My son Jake still couldn’t walk by the time he was 2 years old which is obviously quite unusual. Never having had anything to do with holistic therapies we went down the traditional route of doctors and paediatricians but they found nothing wrong with him. We were very worried and quite desperate when, in a hospital waiting room, I saw a small advert on a board advertising solutions for children’s mobility problems. With nothing to loose I took Jake along.
He sat on my lap whilst a lady called Zoe treated him. I was bewildered as she didn’t actually seem to do anything. But, being desperate, I persevered. Jake had 3 sessions of Bowen. 3 days after his third session he got up and walked. This was a complete miracle for us. Jake is now a strapping 17 year old who plays rugby, hockey and football. I watch every match he plays in awe and am so thankful for finding Bowen.
As a result of having to carry a 2 year old all the time, we lived in an upstairs flat at the time, my back would regularly go into spasm to the point I found walking excrutiatingly painful. Once Jake was walking I decided to try Bowen on my back instead of the chiropractor I had been using. The difference was remarkable. My back is still weak, but my body now knows how to correct itself after being taught by Bowen.
After having my daughter in 2008 I realised I needed to go back to work at some point. I came from a sales background but wanted something to fit around a young family. I am so passionate about Bowen that I decided to train, I qualified in 2009 and have been practicing ever since. It is a huge privilege to help the hundreds of clients I have treated. I couldn’t ask for a better career with fantastic job satisfaction.