Bowenwork is a gentle and effective manual therapy that balances tension patterns in the body, resulting in deep relaxation and relief of old injuries and pain.

Addresses the body as a whole.

It affects not only the musculoskeletal framework, but also the fascia, nerves, and internal organs. The body’s integrated response to Bowenwork improves circulation and lymphatic drainage; it also enhances the assimilation of nutrients and the elimination of toxins from the body.  Bowenwork is a key component of our Body Restoration Services.

Is extremely gentle.

Bowenwork is safe and gentle enough to be used on people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, even on those who are pregnant or chronically ill.  Bowenwork, in fact, can be the ideal therapy to assist the rapidly changing pregnant body to deal with tension and stress, especially once the joints begin to loosen and move. Bowen may allow the body to adjust, in those sensitive to deep massage or chiropractic.

Gentle movements are performed by a practitioner placing fingers or thumbs on the skin over precise points on muscles, tendons or other soft structures.  He or she then applies gentle rolling pressure to effect a change in the underlying tissue. A set of movements is followed by a few minutes of rest to allow the body to gradually make changes during the session.  This series of movements stimulate the body’s autonomic nervous system to re-balance. Once this occurs, the body can initiate a healing response on structural and energetic levels.

How many sessions are needed?

Most clients notice significant improvement of their complaints in just 3 to 5 sessions.  Sessions are done 1 to 4  weeks apart.  This is usually all that is required for most sports injuries, work-related injuries, and problems brought about by long-term overuse.  Clients with more complex conditions usually improve with additional sessions.  Neurological and some other chronic conditions may require periodic ongoing maintenance sessions.  Clients often report major or total improvement in seemingly unrelated problems as well.

The origins of Bowenwork

Bowenwork was developed in the 1950′s by the late Thomas Bowen of Geelong, Australia. Bowen’s approach was to reset the tension in certain muscles and muscle groups by using a unique type of stretch-and-roll-through move and then pausing between sets of moves to give the body time to begin its response.

He achieved amazing results. According to a 1974 survey of alternative health practitioners performed by the Victorian Government, Bowen was found to be doing over 13,000 treatments per year. In over 85% of his cases, the problems for which his patients sought treatment were resolved completely.

In the last years of his life, Bowen allowed several practitioners to observe him. He recognized only six of them as understanding his work. One of these, Oswald Rentsch, promised at Bowen’s deathbed to make his work known around the world. Ossie’s interpretation of Bowen’s work is now taught in over twenty-three countries.  Bowenwork has been taught in the US by instructors approved by Bowen Academy of Australia since the early 1990′s.