In this article I would like to share with you how I work with the Bowen technique for vibrant health and give a more detailed description of The Bowen Technique and explain some of its benefits. The technique is well known for its work with structural imbalance but can also be used for a multitude of other issues and symptoms.
The Bowen Technique for vibrant health – Bowen is gentle
Light touch often elicits significant benefit in the body and many studies have confirmed that the lighter the touch, the more effective and profound the effect of treatment can be.
The Bowen Technique is incredibly gentle and involves light moves being applied to different parts of the body. The moves are often made over muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, joints and occasionally nerves. Treatment aims to stimulate the nervous system and body to begin a process of healing, repair and rejuvenation. Most people experience a deep sense of relaxation during treatment and are often amazed at the effects they experience.
The Bowen Technique for vibrant health – Bowen works on many levels
The Bowen moves – are made at key structural points on the body which the brain uses as natural reference points to determine the body’s posture. As a result the moves can have a huge effect on the way the body holds itself.
The nervous system – sensory information is induced by the Bowen move which reaches the spinal cord passing through the nerve pathways to the different centres of the brain. At this point the information is shunted back and forth via a complex self-corrective feedback mechanism, this info is then sent back down the spinal cord to the individual muscles for correction to take place.
Fascia – the connective tissue covering all of the structures of the body which allows flexibility and movement between various parts of the body is called fascia. The body maintains structure through its relationship with key structural bands of muscle via fascia. One key function of fascia bands is to maintain upright structure. If there is tension or weakness in the fascia a range of reactions can result such as pressure on nerves, tension in the musculature on one side and compensation patterns being set up in the rest of the body. In Bowen a lot of attention is given to the fascia by changing the way in which the muscles and fascia relate to each other and a change in structure becomes inevitable whereby the spine will adopt a better position.
The Bowen Technique for vibrant health – Bowen Procedures
There are many procedures available to the Bowen practitioner that address the body from head to toe! A couple of the procedures I use regularly in practice and general indications for use include;
The pelvic procedure – I often use this procedure with woman who suffer from menstrual, gynaecological and hormonal issues. It is also used after childbirth in helping re-align and balance the structure. This procedure is also great for gardeners who spend a lot of time in awkward positions digging is a good example. It is also great for farmers and builders and those who regularly ride horses all benefit from this procedure.
The TMJ procedure (TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint) helps to balance the jaw and its alignment with the skull. Often disruption in this joint results after dentistry, damage to other areas of the spine, compensation, stress and tension and a multitude of other reasons. When the TMJ is out of balance all sorts of problems can result such as hay fever, allergies, eye problems, ear problems, headaches, migraines, sinus problems, congestion, asthma and the list goes on. In practice I use the procedure a lot in the summer months to help people with seasonal allergies such as hay fever.
Bowen is suitable for all age groups
The Bowen Technique can be used for all age groups and at all stages of pregnancy we also have procedures that can address fertility and conception. Our “Baby Bowen” procedures can also help with the myriad of symptoms that babies and children experience.
Bowen is holistic and dynamic
Treatment can help balance the body as a whole and will often have multiple benefits for example we may be treating a specific problem but other issues or imbalance may be rectified at the same time. Our bodies are complex systems that work as a whole and generally when one system is out of balance a knock on effect will be experienced elsewhere. I see this in practice constantly and a good example is when I work with the kidney procedure which will often also have an impact upon an individual’s lower back and knees!