The Bowen treatment

A Bowen treatment in usually done with the receiver lying on a massage table. If this is not possible, a chair, wheelchair or normal bed are suitable options. As Bowen moves are very gentle and create no pain, they can be reproduced in any position, without their accuracy being diminished in any way. For the same reason, although the Bowen moves can be performed on bare skin, it is usually recommended to work over light clothing, to ensure the receiver feels comfortable.

A Bowen session last approximately one hour and involves one or more procedures, each of which consists of several sets of  specific, purposeful Bowen moves, being done sequentially, with two-minute breaks between them. The breaks allow the nervous system to process the sensory input and respond to the body’s needs by beginning to adjust the tension level in the muscles, before further moves are done. If the body shows signs of reactions such as sweating, changes in temperature or minute involuntary moves, the breaks are being prolonged for  a few minutes.

A common approach in a session is to balance the entire body by addressing the lumbar area, the thoracic area and then the cervical area. To minimize the need for disturbing the client’s rest, all procedures that address the back of the client are completed before turning over for procedures that are done with the client lying on his/her back.

Directly after an injury is the best time to receive a Bowen treatment. Trauma will be dealt with, before the body starts trying to counterbalance the actions of the affected body part by overworking compensatory muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and organs. If you can arrange a Bowen session within three days, healing will occur  as fast and as complete as possible.