What is the Bowen Technique?
Bowtech', or the Bowen Technique, is a gentle form of body work. Light moves are made over muscles and connective tissue, interspersed with frequent pauses. This is a 'hands on, hands off' approach. During these pauses, the practitioner steps aside to allow deeper relaxation and to enable the body to integrate these changes.

Since the body is not being constantly handled like during a massage, most recipients feel either extremely peaceful following a treatment or incredibly energised.
Bowen Technique moves are centred over ligaments, tendons and muscle groups to restore structural integrity of the body, thereby restoring function. It stimulates lymphatic and venous drainage, energy flow, superficial circulation, and assimilates nutrients and removal of wastes.

The Bowen Technique is sometimes called the 'homeopathy of bodywork' because its small inputs stimulate the body to heal itself. The technique often results in the relief of many specific injuries and other health problems, both acute and chronic. The practitioner delivers signals to the nervous system at specific locations, and the body does the rest, responding in its own time as it is able. Tension held in a muscle or muscle group may be released or unblocked by lightly rolling or challenging it near the point where it connects to a tendon or bone.

The Bowen Technique is appropriate to use for individuals of all ages and all stages of health. It is easily performed through light clothing and doesn't require long-term treatment, since benefits are usually achieved within a few visits. However, to consolidate benefits, Fiona recommends a minimum of 2-3 sessions.

Who is Tom Bowen?
Tom Bowen developed this method of body work over several decades of treating Victorian football teams in Geelong, Australia. He came to realise that only minimal moves were required to affect whole muscles and to initiate the body's own healing process.

Bowen began developing his technique in the 1950s and performed up to 13,000 treatments a year. On top of paying clients, he offered free clinics for children, people with disabilities and community service workers.

How does it work?
Rather than focusing on a single complaint, Bowtech addresses the entire body holistically, by restoring balance via the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS controls over 80% of bodily functions and is very susceptible to external stressors. Most people today live in a constant state of high stress and sympathetic ('fight, flight or freeze') ANS over-stimulation. Healing occurs after the ANS shifts from sympathetic to parasympathetic ('rest, relax and repair') dominance. Bowtech seems to catalyse that shift. During sessions, clients often quickly drop into deep relaxation or fall asleep, and loud peristalsis (stomach gurgling) is often heard, indicating a shift towards parasympathetic dominance and release from stress at a deep level. This could explain why Bowen sessions frequently reactivate the recovery process in situations where healing from trauma, sickness or surgery has stalled or reached a plateau.
For a scientific explanation of Bowen, visit Dr Mercola's website on NST

Under what conditions?
Bowen produces no pain, although certain spots may feel tender to touch. Fiona has had excellent results treating insomnia, muscular tension, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and the elderly.
Bowen Technique is particularly useful in easing:

• back aches & pains
• TMJ (jaw) misalignment
• insomnia
• the discomfort of hammer toes
• headaches & migraines
• digestive complaints
• childhood bed wetting
• plantar fasciitis
• athletic muscle tightness
• shoulder pain
• respiratory disorders
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• fluid accumulation
• physical stress
• scoliosis
• abnormal posture.

What to expect
Bowtech sessions with Fiona generally last from 45 to 75 minutes. The moves are gentle and can be done through light clothing. Clients lie on a massage table or therapeutic bed, or can be seated in a chair if required for comfort.
In a session that balances the entire body, the lower back is addressed first, then the upper back, and then the neck and shoulders. To minimise the need for disturbing the client's rest, all procedures that require the client to lie face-down are completed before having them turn over for the procedures that are done face-up. Some procedures may be done with the client sitting or standing.

In contrast to other hands-on disciplines, where the therapist imposes the healing mechanism on the patient through the technique performed, Bowtech allows the body to heal itself with minimal intervention. Because of the subtlety of Bowtech, other forms of manipulative therapy performed four days before, or up to five days after, a Bowtech session may interfere with its effectiveness.
Try a Bowen session to release muscular tension and blocked emotions and put your body back in balance.

Bowen Sessions
$65 for 1 hour.
Health fund registered under 'Bowen therapist'.

St Leonard's Holistic Dental Care
Suite 208, Level 2, AMA House
69 Christie St, St Leonard's NSW 2065
By appointment 10 am to 6 pm 

Be-Jewelled
Massey St, Cammeray NSW 2062
By appointment (including after hours)

Testimonials
'I would just like to thank you for my (Bowen) treatment this week. Where my arms were all flabby and hanging off the bone, they are now taut and firm again. I think you make me young again.'
P.E. Naremburn

'Bowen helped my clicky jaw after just one visit. What I didn't expect was for my insomnia of four years to improve. I now sleep well again.'
H.G. Manly