BOWEN THERAPY IS UNIQUE
In order to explain bowen therapy to a new client, one often compares it to some of the more widely known therapies. However, bowen therapy is quite unique and is clearly distinguishable from other techniques:
MASSAGE
Bowen therapy's methods and objectives are quite different from massage. Bowen moves go no deeper than fascia on superficially accessible muscles, and utilizes gentle pressure only. There is no prolonged rubbing or even touching around a bowen "move" that has just been applied. This can weaken the effectiveness of the move. In fact, to achieve relief with Bowen, the area in question may not even be touched! Also, no oils or lotions are utilized during a bowen treatment.
ACUPUNCTURE/ACUPRESSURE
Bowen therapy does not utilize needles during treatment. Some of the areas of focus in a bowen treatment may coincide with acupuncture points, but there are so many acupoints that some overlap is inevitable. Bowen is a much simpler and more focused intervention. With bowen therapy, one simple move across the structure is all it takes. The same release of blockages and energy flow will occur with bowen therapy with less intervention.
CHIROPRACTIC
Bowen therapy does not manipulate the bones of the the skeletal system in any way. However, bowen therapy can still result in a proper realignment of the body by addressing bilateral muscular imbalances. Many clients observe or feel this vertebral movement. This is evidence of the body realigning and healing itself as opposed to an intentional manipulation by the practitioner.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Bowen therapy is not physiotherapy. Stretch reflex, Golgi reflex and reciprocal enervation may be involved in the muscular releases, but these occur on a cellular level. With bowen therapy, there is no use of any machines, electrical or otherwise. Many people may fall asleep during a bowen session. These factors distinguish bowen therapy from physiotherapy that utilize remedial exercises or movement training sometimes needed for long-term injury recovery.
TRIGGER POINT THERAPY
Most trigger points are found in the core of muscles and involve very deep penetration of muscles, while bowen therapy moves are usually made at the origin or insertion of muscles groups and are very gentle.
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE
With each bowen move, the fascia is gently stimulated; it is not engaged at a deep tissue level nor forcefully separated or worked on for a prolonged period. After a series of bowen sessions, adhesions tend to loosen and scar tissue frequently softens and shrinks on its own because impediments to the natural healing process are removed.
LYMPHATIC MASSAGE
Bowen does stimulate lymphatic releases, in that sinuses will often drain during the session; breast lumps may shrink or be gone within a few weeks; and excess fluids are usually eliminated within the week. Bowen does not, however, use the percussion or vigorous stroking of lymphatic massage, although there is a bit of gentle "milking" done around the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle.
EMOTIONAL RELEASE
Bowen therapy often releases emotional blockages when these interfere with the natural healing of the body. Some clients have reported having a "good cry" after a treatment which leaves them feeling freer and lighter. Bowen therapy often leads to the permanent removal of the protective wall of tense musculature which befell the client at the original time of trauma.
OSTEOPATHY
Osteopathy can involve the physical manipulation of joints and organs whereas bowen therapy stimulates the healing of joints and organs through gentle moves across the muscles, tendons or ligaments at a fascial level.
BOWEN AND OTHER THERAPIES
It is important to note that bowen therapy has been effective at alleviating a wide range of conditions even when other treatments have resulted in transient or little improvement. This is because it affects the body differently. In contrast to many other hands-on modalities where the practitioner imposes correction on the client through manipulation, bowen therapy facilitates the body in healing itself, with minimal intervention.
Every client is unique and some of the techniques listed above may also be very helpful to a person's condition. If planning to combine other modalities with bowen therapy, be sure to discuss an appropriate treatment schedule with your bowen therapist. Certain bodywork treatments, if applied within one week of a bowen session, may counteract the effects of a bowen treatment.
Denise Onslow, Registered Bowen Therapist
University Pain Clinic
& Wellness Centre
105 University Avenue East, Suite 8
Waterloo Ontario N2J 2W1
(519) 574-0515
Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Ontario
