The Bowen technique is safe to use on anyone, from newborns to the elderly and for any musculoskeletal or related neuromuscular complaint including acute sports injuries and chronic or organic conditions. It is a holistic treatment that treats the whole person and aims to treat the cause of problems, rather than the symptoms.  It is gentle and relaxing and does not use forceful manipulation.

 

During the session 

Bowen therapy is performed on the superficial and deep fascia. The fascia, or soft tissue, is the part of the connective tissue that envelops, separates and influences every organ and tissue in the body.
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A Bowen treatment consists of sequences of small, light moves at varying pressures, each at a specific point on the body.  Each move is a rolling-type move of the thumbs and forefingers, and is designed to stimulate nerve pathways which allow a ‘conversation’ to take place between different nervous systems of the body. Between each set of moves, the therapist leaves the room for periods of two to five minutes at a time to allow the body to respond to the treatment and for the necessary changes to occur in the body before commencing the next sequence of moves. These breaks initiate the process of repair and increase the effectiveness of each subsequent set of moves.

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The breaks are probably one of the least understood parts of Bowen and yet it is during the breaks that the work starts to take effect and changes are implemented. The most fundamental principle of Bowen is that it is the client that is doing the work, not the therapist, and for this to happen the body needs time and to be left alone.

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After the session 

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Each person’s response to the Bowen Therapy continues for several hours or days, as his or her individual body allows. The benefits will be enhanced by following simple guidelines given by the practitioner. The most common include:

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• not overdoing things for the rest of that day, with regard to exercise or exertion .

• when getting out of a bed or chair or car, having the weight transfer equally on both feet .

• increasing the intake of pure water, to encourage the body’s ability to eliminate toxins released by the muscles and connective tissue during and after the Bowen Therapy session.

• in some cases: not remaining seated for longer than half an hour at a time (in the case of lower back pain and other conditions related to lower back imbalance) not overworking the jaw after jaw imbalance is addressed,

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Your body will function more effectively when the toxins have been released. During the detoxification, the best way to minimize discomfort is stimulate the lymphatic system to increase the elimination of toxins. You can do this by:

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• increasing your water intake, and taking distilled water (for a few days only)

• walking 30 minutes each day in fresh air,

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Detoxification reaction

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Bowen Therapy encourages proper functioning of all body systems, including those responsible for eliminating toxins. If your body has stored unnecessary materials, you may experience one or of these detoxification sensations for a day or after a Bowen Therapy session. Occasionally people feel detoxification reactions, which can include sensations of:

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• aching muscles

• mild nausea

• mild headache

• changes in sensation of temperature

• minor changes in elimination

 

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