BOWEN THERAPY
RESEARCH AND ARTICLES:
BACK AND NECK PAIN:
Amy Norman presented a study on bowen therapy in 1998 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Science.
Practitioners rated the following results in their clients:
- 85% effectiveness in back pain with an average of 4.3 sessions
- 88% effectiveness in neck pain with 4.5 sessions
- 83% effectiveness in stress, tension with 4 treatments
- 83% effectiveness in their "other" category after 5.8 treatments
After receiving their treatments, clients reported the following results:
- 85% effectiveness with back pain
- 80% effectiveness for stress and tension
- 80% effectiveness with Fibromyalgia
- 95% effectiveness with TMJ
- 80% effectiveness with hip pain
- 75.6% for "other" conditions
Research paper:
BOWEN THERAPY AND THERMOGRAPHY
Australian bowen therapist and instructor Faye Ferguson did a research study using infrared thermography to illustrate the impact of a bowen therapy treatment on the human body. Images were taken before the bowen treatment and at several intervals after the treatment: one hour, two days, five days and five-thirteen days. The images clearly show an increase in heat and energy after the bowen treatment.
MIGRAINES:
London-based Bowen practitioner Nikke Ariff completed the Bowen Therapy Migraine Research Program which studied the efficacy of treating migraine headaches. The 39 migraine volunteers consisted of 37 women and 2 men. Thirteen of them had been suffering from migraines for 1-15 years; seventeen of them had been having migraines for 16-30 years; and nine had migraines for over 30 years. In all, 31 participants experienced
a positive result, representing 79.5% of the total group. At the end of the program, 36 of the 39 they would recommend bowen therapy as a treatment to a friend or colleague.
Research paper:
FIBROMYALGIA:
There is compelling research that bowen therapy may also be effective in relieving the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia:
In a study of twenty patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia conducted by Jo Anne Whitaker, M.D., at the American College of Rheumatology, almost all participants experienced various degrees of relief which lasted from a few days to several weeks. Most reported immediate relief following a bowen treatment. For some, repeated bowen therapy maintained complete clinical remission. The results were statistically significant and correlated with improvement of clinical well-being.
Fibromyalgia Pilot Study
A pilot study on the effect of bowen treatments on fibromyalgia sufferers was carried out by Tim Willcocks (Bowen Practitioner and Trainer). Four participants (aged 39-52) who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia from 3 to 5 years, were given four Bowen treatments over a five week period. All four participants experienced improvement, including better sleep, ease in walking, cessation of vertigo, eased neck pain, improved balance and less exhaustion.
Research paper:
BOWEN THERAPY AND KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY:
Article on how bowen therapy can assist in preparing for and recovering from knee replacement surgery-click here
ASTHMA:
Nikke Ariff did research between 2003 and 2004 to test the efficacy of Bowen in treating asthma. This research, carried out during a twelve-month period, included a majority of participants who had had asthma for over 5 years, and most over 15 years. The results were positive. Eighty-three percent of participants reported a reduction in the frequency of asthma attacks with 75% reporting less reliance on medication than before the beginning of treatments.
Of 24 volunteers who completed the program, 22 reported that secondary health concerns had also improved, including back, neck and shoulder pain; knee and joint problems; headaches and migraines; hay fever; irritable bowel syndrome and digestion; circulation; insomnia; anxiety, stress, depression and energy level improvement.
Research paper:
Ariff, Nikke, (2004) The Bowen Technique National Asthma Research Program, October 2002 to March 2004
CARPAL TUNNEL:
Six people took part in a Bowtech study carried out by Glenys Sheedy. They had been suffering from pain and numbness in the fingers and wrist, shoulders and neck for up to 3 years. They received four bowen treatments over a 4 week period. Bowen successfully eliminated all symptoms for 3 of the 6 particpants, and the remaining three were able to return to regular activities.
FROZEN SHOULDER:
Published in England by Dr. Bernie Carter, at the Metropolitan University of Manchester (UK), this Bowen study showed effective results with frozen shoulder after 3 to 6 treatments, even with those who had long-standing conditions. The study involved 20 participants diagnosed with frozen shoulder and treated with bowen therapy.
70% of participants regained full mobility, equal to the unaffected side, by the end of treatment. The other participants showed significant improvement in mobility and associated function. 80% of participants reports a pain level of 0-2, down from a level of 10. Some still reported mild ache but none reported any invasive or intense pain, which they had experienced before receiving bowen therapy.
At the conclusion of this study, participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the therapy, a commitment to use bowen therapy in any future case of relapse or for another condition, and the intention to recommend the therapy to friends and family.
Research paper:
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ACCIDENT RECOVERY:
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE:
California State University athletic coaches and training staff have both personally experienced the positive and almost instantaneous effects of bowen therapy and seen the phenomenal results on their football, baseball, basketball, track, cross-country, and crew athletes.
Athletes who have had ankle, back, knee, neck, shoulder, groin and hamstring strains or pulls, have received immediate noticeable differences during and after receiving a treatment. i.e. increased range and ease of motion, athletic fluidity, and release of strain tension or muscle cramping. Other athletes who have had chronic shoulder, knee, elbow, or other joint pain due to old injuries had either an immediate noticeable decrease or total elimination of the pain. Still others who have complained of tightness in the chest and slight breathing difficulties have received immediate relief and a greater ability to breathe deeper.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS:
Ashley Pritchard, at Swinburn University, department of Psychophysiology, Melbourne, Australia, showed that bowen therapy consistently reduced subjects' levels of anxiety, and enhanced individuals' positive feelings by reducing tension, anger, depression, fatigue, and confusion. Objective measures of decrease in Heart Rate Variability and muscle tension correlated with subjective feelings of relaxation.
Research paper:
FLEXIBILITY:
A study at Coventry University in the United Kingdom revealed that Bowen Therapy has an immediate and direct impact on Hamstring flexibility that lasts at least a week without further treatment. This properly conducted study, with approval from ethics committee and applying strict methodology using bowen therapy, has now been completed and was accepted for presentation at the First International Fascia Research Congress in Boston in October 2007.
Research paper:
PARKINSON'S
In the last few years Bowen Therapy has become more widely known as an effectiveParkinson’s disease treatment. This is largely due to John Coleman’s findings that Bowen Therapy combined with Aqua Hydration Formulas (a homeopathic remedy) accounted for his own complete recovery from stage IV Parkinson’s in 1998. Since then there have been at least two studies into the effectiveness of Bowen Therapy on Parkinson’s. I conducted Parkinson’s research in 2009 and another study was conducted in Tasmania in 06/07.
In my small (5 participants) but rigorous study, the following motor function and quality of life improvements resulted for participants after five Bowen treatments:
Motor Function: - Average decrease in symptoms: 40%
- 3 of 4 participants experienced reduced tremor
- 3 of 3 participants experienced reduced rigidity
- 3 of 3 participants experienced improved leg agility
- 2 of 2 participants experienced improved posture
Note: Participants did not present with all symptoms
Quality of Life (QoL): - Average improvement in QoL: 12.5%
- Mobility improved 37%
- Notable improvements in Activities of Daily Living, Well Being, Bodily Discomfort and Mobility – aspects of QoL
These results concur with the earlier Parkinson’s research in 2007, that Bowen Therapy can reduce tremor and other Parkinson’s symptoms.
Here are what some of the participants in the study had to say about Bowen Therapy:
- “Thank you so very much. I believe it (Bowen) helps me with my Parkinson’s. I feel more relaxed in my body and have less aches and pains.”
- “Effective – surprisingly effective – and gentle.”
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME:
The Bowtech study by Marg Biorac from Australia included six people suffering from Restless Leg Syndrome. One participant did not receive any treatment and served as the control; the other five received four bowen therapy treatments over a four week period. All five persons noticed a reduction in the frequency, intensity and duration of symptoms.
TMJ RESEARCH:
In Durango, CO, Dr. John Bauman, DDS completed a research project on the application of bowen therapy on TMJ abnormality. Assessment of masseter tension by biofeedback, measurement of bite and subjective symptoms were compared before and after treatment. Immediately after the first treatment, one third of patients felt dramatic relief in some of their symptoms. 20 out of the 22 patients showed significant improvement on their post biofeedback assessment.
IMPACT ON BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND DETOXIFICATION:
Dr. Whitaker, using darkfield, phase and fluorescent microscopic live cell analysis, has demonstrated that blood chemistry changes following bowen therapy treatments. These changes corroborate reports by some patients of flu-like symptoms due to detoxification, which can occur following a session.
HEART AND NERVOUS SYSTEM:
By measuring changes in value and pattern in heart rate variability before and after treatment, a study by Dr. Whitaker, MD, has shown that bowen therapy directly affects the autonomic nervous system. This quieting of the autonomic nervous system allows the parasympathetic system to attend more clearly to healing.
BOWEN AND GOLF:
BOWEN THERAPY ON ABC TV
Denise Onslow, Registered Bowen Therapist
Waterloo ON(519) 574-0515
Serving Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge ON and area
