The science behind Bowtech
Fascia
Fascia is a web of connective tissue formed in bands that wraps around all the internal parts of the body from head to toe and fuses it all together. It allows the muscles to move freely alongside other structures and reduces friction. It can be found immediately beneath the skin, around muscles, groups of muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, organs and cells. Fascia is everywhere. Biologically, it’s what holds us together.
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Like bones, fascia bands are composed primarily of collagen which gives them a tough but pliable texture. The fascial system maintains a balance of tension and elasticity which allows for smooth, unrestricted movement of each muscle group while holding everything in place. If the fascia is restricted then muscle contraction is restricted.
Restriction is where pain and injury can happen, but the restriction could come from either muscle or fascia, and possibly in another part of the body. Tight fascia is every bit as painful and restrictive as a tight muscle. This is the aim of myofascial release: to restore the natural elasticity to tight and hardened fascia.
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Since there is one singular piece of this stretchy, mesh-like substance interweaving through muscles and organs from head to toe like shrink-wrap, distress in one area can affect movement and create symptoms elsewhere.
This answers the question as to why our shoulder begins to hurt after a sore ankle has been bothering us, or any one of a number of scenarios where stress from one area causes tension in another part of the body. The body might be composed of different parts, but they are all connected through this mysterious organic glove-like web of fascia.
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Each Bowen move is done at the level of the superficial fascia and affects the relationship between the fascia and the nerve, muscle or tendon being mobilized. Fascia plays a major role in muscle co-ordination, postural alignment and overall structural and functional integrity. All of these are negatively affected when the fascia stiffens, contracts, torques or dehydrates. Following a Bowtech session it is not uncommon to see adhesions loosen up, scar tissue soften and posture and mobility improve without harsh mobilization or stretching.
The autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions—those that happen automatically without conscious effort. It regulates vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, and body temperature, ensuring that the body maintains internal balance, or homeostasis.
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The ANS is divided into two main branches: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic system prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations through the “fight or flight” response, increasing heart rate and redirecting blood flow to muscles. In contrast, the parasympathetic system promotes “rest and digest” activities, slowing the heart rate and supporting digestion and energy conservation.
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A third, less commonly mentioned division, the enteric nervous system, controls the gastrointestinal system and can operate independently, although it also communicates with the other two branches.
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The autonomic nervous system functions without conscious control, using complex networks of nerves and neurotransmitters to regulate organs and systems throughout the body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and responding appropriately to internal and external changes.
The sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the other being the parasympathetic nervous system. It plays a vital role in preparing the body to respond to stressful or emergency situations through what is commonly known as the "fight or flight" response.
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When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it triggers a series of physiological changes designed to increase alertness and physical readiness. These include an increase in heart rate, expansion of the airways, dilation of the pupils, and increased blood flow to the muscles. At the same time, it reduces activity in non-essential functions like digestion and urination, allowing the body to focus its energy on immediate survival.
The sympathetic nervous system communicates with the body through a network of nerves that originate in the spinal cord and extend to various organs. It uses neurotransmitters like norepinephrine to relay signals that stimulate the target organs.
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This system works automatically, without conscious effort, and is balanced by the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body calm down and return to a state of rest after the threat has passed. Together, these systems maintain the body’s internal stability, or homeostasis, by adapting to changing internal and external conditions.
The parasympathetic nervous system
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is one of the two main branches of the autonomic nervous system, the other being the sympathetic nervous system. While the sympathetic system prepares the body for action, the parasympathetic system is responsible for promoting rest, recovery, and conservation of energy. It is often referred to as the “rest and digest” system.
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When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, stimulates digestion, and promotes activities such as urination and defecation. It helps the body recover after stressful situations and supports long-term health by maintaining normal bodily functions.
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The parasympathetic nerves originate primarily from the brainstem and the lower spinal cord. One of the most important nerves in this system is the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to many organs in the chest and abdomen.
Overall, the parasympathetic nervous system works in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system to maintain balance in the body, ensuring that the internal environment remains stable and well-regulated under changing conditions.