RECOVER from Chronic Pain
Reclaim a joyful life, free from the limitations imposed by persistent pain.
Natural Medicine
Promote overall health and well-being without the use of drugs or invasive procedures.
Personal Care
Each patient receives an individualized assessment and tailored treatment plan.
Allied Professional
Compliment the services of other healthcare providers by offering a holistic approach to health.
Pain & Injuries
Prompt self-healing mechanisms through specific movements over muscles, tendons, and fascia.
What is Bowen Therapy?
A sequence of gentle movements to specific areas of the body create tension followed by an immediate release, resulting in a message of relaxation to the nerves. This targets structural and functional issues while restoring balance and overall well-being via the Autonomic Nervous System, which controls over 80% of bodily functions and is very susceptible to external stresses.
Rather than focusing on a single complaint, the entire body is addressed to create a systemic effect.
Conditions Bowen Therapy Can Relieve
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Alleviating inflammation around the sciatic nerve and reducing pressure can significantly improve the nerve function. Joint mobility and posture may also be improved, which can further help contribute to reducing back pain.
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By addressing muscle tension and enhancing circulation, symptoms of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, can be alleviated
A study by Dr. Whitaker, MD showed all patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and treated with Bowen Therapy had experienced various degrees of relief, which lasted from a few days to several weeks. The measurements of shifts in the Autonomic Nervous System by Heart Rate Variability studies fully complemented the clinical assessments.
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Bowen therapy's influence on the autonomic nervous system can help regulate gastrointestinal function, reducing symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) such as abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements.
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Better alignment can be achieved from Bowen Therapy by releasing tension in the pelvic and groin muscles. This can improve balance while reducing pain and discomfort associated with these conditions.
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By targeting specific areas of tension in the neck, shoulders, and head, common triggers for migraines are reduced. Additionally, its calming effect on the nervous system may help mitigate the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks.
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Research was conducted at the Metropolitan University of Manchester (UK) by Dr. Bernie Carter and lead Bowen Therapist Rick Minnery. All patients who were diagnosed with frozen shoulder and treated by Bowen Therapy showed a significant improvement, with 70% regaining full mobility (equal to the non-affected side) by the end of treatment.
There were markedly reduced pain intensity scores and pain quality descriptors for all participants, although some participants recorded scores of 1-3 that they described as a slight ache to a mild pain. Participants at the end of the study no longer used the intense and invasive pain descriptors.
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The gentle approach makes it suitable during pregnancy, offering relief from common discomforts such as morning sickness and back pain by promoting relaxation.
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To facilitate optimal fetal positioning for childbirth. Bowen therapy techniques can help relax muscles and promote pelvic alignment.
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Releasing chest tension and improving thoracic mobility, can aid respiratory function and reduce asthma symptoms.
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Bowen therapy addresses musculoskeletal imbalances by relieving symptoms in targeted areas associated with repetitive strain injuries (RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow.
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Bowen therapy's manipulations can assist in reducing inflammation, promoting tissue healing, and restoring normal joint function, making it beneficial for recovering from sports injuries and accidents.
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Bowen therapy can help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system with objective measures in reduction of Heart Rate Variability and muscle tension, correlating with subjective feelings of relaxation.
Bowen therapy can also modulate the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which plays a key role in regulating various hormones, including cortisol.
Ashley Pritchard at the Swinburn University – Department of Psychophysiology, Melbourne showed that Bowen Therapy consistently reduced subjects’ level of anxiety, and enhanced individuals’ positive feelings by reducing tension, anger, depression, fatigue and confusion.
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Bowen therapy can assist in restoring muscle function and mobility in affected limbs. It can achieve this recovery by promoting relaxation and improving circulation.
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Bowen therapy techniques can target specific areas of tension and imbalance in the extremities, discomfort associated with knee, ankle, and foot injuries or conditions.
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Assessment of masseter tension by measurement of bite and subjective symptoms were compared before and after Bowen therapy treatments. Immediately after the 1st treatment, one-third of patients felt dramatic relief in some of their symptoms and 20 out of the 22 patients showed significant improvement on the post Bio Feedback assessment.
Application of Bowen Therapy on TMJ. Durango, CO by Dr. John Bauman, DDS.
How Does Bowen Therapy Work?
It stimulates self-healing processes by engaging various physiological mechanisms, mediated by the nervous and endocrine systems.
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Activation of the proprioceptors (sensory receptors located in the joints, muscles, and tendons) can enhance body awareness, leading to improved posture and movement patterns.
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By manipulating the fascia (a network of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, organs, and other structures in the body) Bowen therapy can help release restrictions and improve tissue mobility and function.
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By influencing these reflexes which are the connections between internal organs and the spinal segments that innervate them, Bowen therapy can affect organ function and promote overall balance within the body.
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The gentle, rhythmic movements used in Bowen therapy stimulate the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in immune function and fluid balance. Improved lymphatic circulation can enhance the removal of toxins and waste products from the body, supporting overall health and well-being.
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The movements stimulate the stretch reflex, which involves the contraction of muscles in response to stretching. This reflex can help maintain muscle tone and protect against injury during sudden movements or changes in posture.
Reactivate your Recovery
Are you in a constant state of fight, flight or freeze mode (high stress and sympathetic Autonomic Nervous System over-stimulation). Healing can occur only in the rest, relax & repair mode. Bowen Technique influences the ANS to shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance.
This can reactivate the recovery process in situations where healing from trauma, sickness or surgery has reached a plateau.
Chemical Changes
Using darkfield phase and fluorescent live cell analysis, changes in blood chemistry following Bowen therapy have been observed. This corroborates reports from several patients who experienced transient flu-like symptoms due to detox reactions.
Measured changes in the value and pattern of heart rate variability, has proven that Bowen therapy positively affects the Autonomic Nervous System.
Schedule a Treatment
A treatment is pleasant and typically lasts an hour including the consultation. It can be provided through a layer of light clothing (not denim). During the treatment, I will apply cross-fiber movements of muscle, tendon or ligament in specific patterns with no forceful manipulation. I will intermittently pause for two to five minutes at a time to allow for the necessary changes to occur in your body before commencing the next sequence of moves. These short breaks also allow deeper relaxation, where many clients fall asleep.
Sessions are typically scheduled a week apart and a series of about three treatments are recommended for longer term results.
How many Treatments
You may experience relief after just the first treatment, and significant recovery within three treatments. However, chronic conditions or repeat injury may require more. Many people with conditions such as Parkinson's Disease find benefits from attending regular Bowen treatments as part of their continuing treatment plan.
Treatment Aftercare
For one week after the treatment - while your body adjusts, avoid other therapies such as massage, chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture or kinesiology. Stay well-hydrated, as fascia responds more favourably. Light movement is recommended (avoid sitting for long periods) and resist hot showers/baths.