Bowen Therapy (initial session) - £60
Bowen Therapy (follow-up sessions) - £40
Bowen Therapy treatments can be performed through (light) clothing and consist of a series of gentle, rolling movements over muscles, tendons and other soft tissues, in order to stimulate a neuromuscular response and calm the sympathetic nervous system.
Like many complementary therapies, the Bowen Technique aims to assist the natural healing mechanism of the body by relaxing muscles to affect the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems.
The Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) describes Bowen Therapy as a soft tissue remedial therapy that involves the therapist using fingers or thumbs to move over muscle, ligament, tendon and fascia in various parts of the body. This therapy can be effective to help relieve everyday stresses and revitalise the whole person. Each Bowen therapy session varies according to the particular problems of the client. By focusing on the lower and mid back and legs, the upper back, shoulders and the neck, a sense of wellbeing can be achieved, helping relaxation, aiding sleep – helping to remove everyday stress and anxiety that can make us feel under-par or prevent us functioning at our optimum.[1]
The most common presentation is back and neck pain, however Bowen addresses the whole body and people with symptoms including shoulder stiffness, headache, knee pain, elbow and ankle pain have reported an improvement in their symptoms following Bowen Technique treatment.
One research article - "A single treatment of the Bowen Technique significantly increases the flexibility of the hamstring muscles ... and maintains this level of increase for one week, demonstrating continuing improvements." [2] - has shown the physiologic changes that can occur, but at present, insufficient research has been undertaken to satisfy some medical professionals about the efficacy of treatment. However, after experiencing Bowen Therapy, nearly all my patients have reported feeling relaxed and notice a decrease in their symptoms.
The Bowen Therapy Professional Association (BTPA) website provides testimonials from Bowen Therapy clients.
References:
[1] Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) website, 18 November 2015, https://www.cnhc.org.uk/assets/pdf/Bowen-Therapy-4-015.pdf
[2] The effects of the Bowen technique on hamstring flexibility over time: A randomised controlled trial, Marr M, Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (2011) 15, 281-290
