What is the Bowen Technique?

Bowen Technique, also known as Bowenwork or Bowtech, is a gentle form of bodywork that has gained popularity worldwide. This unique therapy uses subtle movements to help the body heal itself. Unlike deep tissue massage or forceful manipulations, Bowen is remarkably gentle, making it suitable for everyone from newborns to the elderly.

The Man Behind the Method

Tom Bowen, an Australian who lived from 1916 to 1982, developed this technique in the 1950s in Geelong, Australia. Despite having no formal medical training, Bowen became interested in ways to help people suffering from various ailments.

He worked as a carpenter and general labourer but spent his evenings studying books on anatomy and treatment methods. His natural ability to feel tension in muscles and tissues led him to develop his own unique approach to healing.

A Natural Gift

Tom Bowen often described his technique as “a gift from God”. He developed his method through observation and intuition, noticing that certain moves on the body produced specific effects.

He was known to say he could feel tiny vibrations in the body’s tissues that guided his treatments. This sensitivity allowed him to develop a system that required minimal intervention but produced maximum results.

A Remarkable Practice

By the 1970s, Bowen’s clinic was incredibly busy. A government inquiry found he was performing around 13,000 treatments per year. Even more impressive, he treated children, people with disabilities, and community service workers for free.

Bowen worked tirelessly, often seeing 100 patients in a single day. Despite this volume, his results were consistently impressive. He claimed a success rate of over 80% in helping people with various conditions.

How Bowen Therapy Works

The Bowen Move

This technique’s core is the “Bowen move” – a gentle, rolling-type movement performed with thumbs and fingers over muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the surrounding fascia.

The pressure used is very gentle – often described as “eyeball pressure” (the amount of pressure you could comfortably apply to your closed eyelid).

Each move consists of three components: a gentle pull of skin to one side, a light pressure applied to the underlying tissue, and a rolling motion over the tissue, releasing the pressure but maintaining contact.

The Unique Pause

A distinctive feature of Bowen therapy is the pause between sets of moves. During these breaks, the therapist leaves the room for 2-5 minutes, allowing the body time to respond to the treatment.

These pauses are crucial to the effectiveness of the technique. They give the body time to process the signals and begin adjusting. Without these pauses, the treatment would be far less effective.

Many clients report feeling continued movement or tingling sensations during these pauses, as if the therapist’s hands were still working on them.

The Science Behind It

Bowen therapy works through the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls over 80% of our body functions. The technique aims to:

• Shift the body from “fight or flight” mode (sympathetic nervous system) to “rest and digest” mode (parasympathetic nervous system).
• Create a “reset” in the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
• Improve communication between the brain and body.
• Release tension in the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, and other structures.

The gentle nature of the moves sends signals through the nervous system without triggering protective responses that might block healing.

What Happens During a Bowen Session

The Treatment Experience

• Sessions typically last 30-60 minutes.
• Clients usually lie on a treatment table.
• You remain clothed (loose, comfortable clothing is best).
• The therapist applies gentle, precise moves with short breaks in between.
• The pressure is light – there should be no pain during treatment.
• The therapist will work on specific areas based on your concerns but will also treat the whole body.

What You Might Feel

During and after treatment, people commonly report:

• Deep relaxation.
• Tingling sensations.
• Warmth in treated areas.
• A feeling that the therapist’s hands are still there, even when they’ve left the room.
• Subtle movements within the body.
• A sense of balance being restored.

Some people fall asleep during treatment, while others remain alert but deeply relaxed. Both responses are perfectly normal and beneficial.

Benefits of Bowen Technique

Physical Benefits

• Improved posture and alignment.
• Better joint mobility and movement patterns.
• Enhanced circulation and lymphatic drainage.
• Reduced muscle tension and pain.
• Faster recovery from injuries.
• Improved balance and coordination.
• Better breathing patterns.

Whole-Body Benefits

• Promotes deep relaxation.
• Helps calm the nervous system.
• Supports the body’s natural healing processes.
• Improves overall balance and wellbeing.
• Better sleep quality.
• Increased energy levels.
• Enhanced immune function.

Conditions That May Respond to Bowen

The technique is holistic, treating the whole body rather than just symptoms. People seek Bowen therapy for many conditions:

Musculoskeletal Issues

• Back, neck and shoulder pain.
• Sports injuries.
• Joint pain and restricted movement.
• Sciatica and other nerve pain.
• Frozen shoulder.
• Tennis and golfer’s elbow.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Plantar fasciitis.

Respiratory Conditions

• Asthma, especially in children.
• Hay fever and sinus problems.
• Bronchitis.
• Recovery from respiratory infections.

Other Conditions

• Headaches and migraines.
• Stress and anxiety.
• Digestive issues.
• Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
• Menstrual and hormonal problems.
• Recovery from surgery.
• Infant colic and reflux.
• Bedwetting in children.

How Bowen Differs From Other Therapies

The Gentle Approach

Unlike many manual therapies, Bowen doesn’t involve:

• Deep tissue manipulation.
• Cracking or adjustments.
• Forceful movements.
• Painful pressure.
• Continuous hands-on work.

This makes it accessible to people who cannot tolerate more intense forms of bodywork.

Working With Your Body

The Bowen Technique stands out because:

• It works with the body rather than forcing change.
• The therapist doesn’t “fix” you – they help your body fix itself.
• It addresses the whole person, not just the problem area.
• The effects continue for days after treatment.
• It’s non-invasive and respects the body’s own timing.

The minimal nature of the treatment is its strength. By doing less, the body has space to do more for itself.

What to Expect After Treatment

Immediate Effects

Many people feel immediate relaxation during and after treatment. You might feel:

• Very relaxed or sleepy.
• Increased thirst (drinking water is recommended).
• Temporary soreness (usually mild and brief).
• A sense of lightness or heaviness in different parts of the body.
• Emotional release (sometimes tears or laughter).

Ongoing Effects

The body continues to respond for several days after treatment. Some people notice:

• Improvements happening gradually over several days.
• Changes in areas not directly treated.
• Better sleep and energy levels.
• Emotional releases or changes in mood.
• Temporary worsening of symptoms before improvement (healing crisis).
• Changes in digestion or elimination.

For this reason, practitioners usually recommend waiting 5-7 days between treatments to allow the full effects to develop.

Who Can Benefit From Bowen Therapy

Suitable for Everyone

One of the most remarkable aspects of Bowen therapy is its gentleness, making it appropriate for:

• Newborns and children.
• Elderly or frail individuals.
• Pregnant women.
• Athletes.
• People with chronic conditions.
• Those in acute pain.
• People with sensitive nervous systems.

The technique can be adapted to accommodate any physical limitation or sensitivity.

When to Consider Bowen

Bowen might be particularly helpful if:

• You prefer gentle treatments.
• Other therapies have been too painful.
• You’re sensitive to touch.
• You want a holistic approach to healing.
• You’re looking for a complementary therapy to support your health.
• You’ve tried everything else without success.

Many people turn to Bowen as a last resort, only to find it provides relief when nothing else has worked.

The Legacy of Tom Bowen

Tom Bowen’s work continues to help people worldwide. After his death in 1982, his technique was preserved and taught by Ossie and Elaine Rentsch, who founded the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia in 1987.

Bowen only taught his technique to a handful of people during his lifetime. He believed in keeping things simple and focused on results rather than recognition or financial gain.

Today, thousands of practitioners around the world practice this gentle yet powerful technique, helping people find relief from pain and improved wellbeing through the body’s own healing mechanisms.

The simplicity and effectiveness of the Bowen Technique makes it a valuable addition to the world of complementary therapies – a gentle approach that honours the body’s remarkable ability to heal itself when given the right support.

As Tom Bowen himself once said, “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”