Bowenwork and the Nervous System

How Does it Work? What Happens During a Session?

What Happens During a Typical Bowenwork Session?

Rather than focusing on a single complaint, the Bowen Technique addresses the entire body, by restoring balance via the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS controls over 80% of bodily functions and is very susceptible to external stressors.

Most people today live in a constant state of high stress and sympathetic ANS over-stimulation (ﬁght, ﬂight or freeze mode). Healing can occur only after the ANS shifts from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance (rest, relax and repair mode). Bowenwork enables that shift.

During a session, the client often drops into deep relaxation or falls asleep, and loud peristalsis (stomach gurgles) may be heard. Both of these changes are indications of a profound release from stress and a shift towards parasympathetic (repair mode) inﬂuence.

This shift could explain, in part, the common observation that a Bowen Technique session seems to reactivate the recovery process in situations where healing from trauma, sickness or surgery has stalled or reached a plateau where the client thinks or feels stuck and no longer progressing.

A typical Bowenwork session generally lasts 45-75 minutes. Clients usually lie on a massage table or may be seated in a chair if required. The moves are gentle, but purposeful, and can be done through light clothing. Between each set of moves, the practitioner pauses for as many minutes as are needed for the client’s body to begin responding. As the nervous system begins to adjust the tension level in the muscles, the practitioner senses when the client is ready for the next set of moves.

In contrast to other hands-on modalities, where the practitioner imposes correction on the client through manipulation, Bowen Technique facilitates the body in healing itself, with minimal intervention. Because of the subtle nature of Bowenwork, and the body’s continuing response to it over several days thereafter, other forms of manipulative therapy are discouraged for up to ﬁve days after a session, as they may interfere with the efﬁcacy of the work.

Within a few sessions, problem areas are signiﬁcantly improved or remedied altogether. Chronic conditions shift when Bowenwork is received over a longer treatment plan. Procedures applied with timely signiﬁcance allow the release of old patterns. The “tissue memory” held by the original trauma is erased and full movement can return.

Bowenwork provides an environment where neurological functioning normalizes. With sustained neuromuscular balance, pain-free performance returns.

Clients are often surprised with the Bowenwork Technique’s ability to support their body’s ability to change so quickly!

Common comments include:

“How do such small movements make such a difference?”

“Just simply amazing!”

Understanding Bowen's Whole-Body Approach

The Problem Isn't Always Where The Pain Is

There are many theories about the physiological mechanisms by which the Bowen Technique brings about the results for which it is famous. In addition to the rebalancing of the ANS, described earlier, Bowtech moves and procedures may reset the body to heal itself by activating, through the nervous and endocrine systems among others, the following mechanisms:

Stretch Reﬂex

Most moves are done either at the origin, insertion or belly of muscles where receptors are located, informing the nervous system on the state of tension, length or stretch in the tissue. These receptors are stimulated during the ‘challenge’ and the ‘rolling’ part of the Bowen move which changes the stimulus received by the nervous system. This can change a pain/muscle spasm loop.

Segmental Viscerosomatic Spinal Reﬂexes

Several Bowtech moves engage these reﬂexes. They produce referred reactions to the internal organs through stimulation of the skin, muscles and nerves.

Joint Proprioceptors

Some of the Bowenwork moves are done near a joint which affects the ligaments and joint capsule. These areas are richly innervated with proprioceptors (structures that sense body position). Muscle spindle cells sense the degree of muscular tension.

Lymphatics

Some Bowtech procedures activate draining of the lymphatic system stimulating the immune system.

Fascia

Each Bowen move is done at the level of the superﬁcial fascia and affects the relationship between the fascia and the nerve, muscle or tendon being mobilized. Fascia plays a major role in muscle coordination, postural alignment
and overall structural and functional integrity. All of these are negatively affected when the fascia stiffens, contracts, torques or dehydrates.

Detoxiﬁcation

Detoxiﬁcation is often initiated during a Bowen session, thereby improving the body’s ability to function at a cellular level and one of many reasons to drink plenty of water following a session.

As a registered nurse of 28 years, I don't know how many times I've counseled patients in the ER that they're going to feel worse the next day and even worse the day after that. This is the usual course of events for any type of trauma to the body. But with a Bowen session the day after my big fall, I was deeply surprised at how much better I felt, rather than being more sore and achy. I recommend Bowen as soon as possible after an injury!

Karlyn H - (Carpel Tunnel Syndrome)

I have been recuperating from a serious illness for the last five years, so I am not an easy client. I am so glad that I've found Bowen Therapy and Colette. It is amazing how such a light touch can produce such remarkable results, going deep in the body, releasing and healing. With each treatment, I go deeper and deeper into the healing I need at that time. Bowen is having a cumulative effect over time. My body seems to remember the last session and build from there.

Jade K - (Crohn's Disease)

The Bowenwork Technique For Kids (Baby Bowen)

Children of all ages benefit from Bowenwork

Children of all ages benefit from Bowenwork. There is “Baby Bowen” for wee ones under 3 years of age. Bowenwork helps with birth trauma, colic, sleeping issues, breastfeeding difficulties, and general restlessness. Bigger kids are helped with bed wetting issues, ADHD, scoliosis, turned in/out legs and feet, anxiety and much more.

Bowenwork makes my body really really relaxed and my brain sorta sleepy, I tell sissy this all the time but she still doesn’t want an appointment…

Ciaro B.

Age 8

My boys just love their appointments. They always ask when their next appointment with Tina is. If it has been a while since they’ve been in they will say, ‘Mom I really need to go see Tina for an appointment’. My husband and I can’t believe how calm they are after a Bowenwork treatment. Can we do one every day?!!

Mama B.

~ Stanwood

…you should get Bowenwork cuz it makes me relax and my leg doesn’t hurt…

Jett B.

Age 6

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