Bowen therapy

Who developed Bowen therapy?

Bowen therapy, or Bowen or Bowtech, was developed in the 1950s by the Australian Tom Bowen.

What does Bowen therapy do?

The aim of Bowen therapy is to strengthen the body's self-regulation through gentle massage techniques (Bowen Moves) on the fasciae, tendons and ligaments and to restore the body to its original harmonious and healthy state. Bowen therapy is not a massage in the true sense of the word, as it makes do with gentle impulses. Kneading or prolonged rubbing are even considered counterproductive in this form of therapy. 

The aim of Bowen therapy is to treat pain caused by cramps or muscle stiffness and the resulting bad posture. 

What happens during a treatment with Bowen therapy?

With a sequence of precise but gentle grips, the body is given the opportunity to regulate itself. Precisely defined points in the body are gently stimulated with the thumb and index finger. The touch lasts only a few seconds, then the muscle or tendon is gently moved and an impulse is triggered.  There are always pauses between the individual grip sequences to give the body the opportunity to process the impulses. This impulse is meant to be an information to the respective muscle or tendon to "remember" its original state.

How long does a treatment last and how often should it be repeated?

One treatment lasts between 30 and 50 minutes, depending on the symptoms. One to two follow-up treatments are advisable. The costs for a treatment are not covered by the statutory health insurance.

Indications for Bowen therapy

The complaints for which Bowen therapy is particularly suitable include:

• Back pain
• Bad posture of the spine
• Muscle tension, for example in the neck
• Sciatica
• Damage to intervertebral discs
• Shoulder pain, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Hip, knee and foot pain

Contraindications

There are no contraindications for the use of Bowen therapy. The only contraindication is that some techniques should not be used during pregnancy.