Bowen Therapy is an alternative type of bodywork, different from traditional types of massage and other soft tissue therapies. Rather than focusing on a single complaint or condition, the Bowen Technique addresses and restores balance in the whole body by gently stimulating the body to heal itself.

Tension and dysfunction are the result of the nervous system – as the nervous system is responsible for programming those settings in the fascia, connective tissue, muscles, etc. Change occurs by affecting the relaxation response of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Bowen moves (on muscles, tendons, ligaments and over nerves) send very specific messages through the nervous system to stimulate and reset these tension patterns in areas of pain, injury, restriction, and dysfunction. Clients report deep relaxation, reduced stress, improvement in performance and energy levels, reduction or elimination of pain and discomfort, greater joint mobility, better sleep, and an overall improvement in physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, after experiencing Bowen sessions.

There are not many health related issues that Bowen cannot address in some manner or on some level. It has broad applications, no real contraindications, and is perfect and adaptable to all ages, levels of mobility, disease processes and progression, injuries, and acute or chronic health conditions.

Tom Bowen originated the therapy in Geelong, Australia. He had one clinic and saw up to 13,000 clients a year. By all accounts, he was humble and quiet and didn’t create or treat others for personal gain, fame, or notoriety. I think that is one of the reasons why it hasn’t gained the momentum, accommodation, or popularity in the states- there isn’t the marketing and buzz and ‘celebrity’ behind it. The worldwide spread and interest has all been been via limited marketing and word of mouth in a simple and earnest manner- a real reflection of the effectiveness of the modality and of Tom Bowen himself.

Mr. Bowen was born in 1916 and developed his technique in the 1950’s, working until his death in 1982. A keen observer into movement patterns and dysfunction, his interest in these subjects and the desire to alleviate suffering led him to gain a better working knowledge of the body with the help of a local osteopath. He also studied and incorporated principles from shiatsu and acupunture.  Mr. Bowen was very precise and specific and was constantly fine tuning his method and the locations of moves based on his sensory ability, understanding of the mechanisms of injury and dysfunction, and as his results were measured and skills honed. He allowed a handful of other individuals (chiropractors, osteopaths, and a massage therapist) to observe him in his work and watch his methods. One of the students, a massage therapist by the name of Ossie Rentsch, studied with Mr. Bowen in his clinic for two and a half years. In 1976, Ossie began using Bowen’s work in the clinic he shared with his wife Elaine. In 1986, Ossie and Elaine created a curriculum and began teaching seminars of what they named Bowtech® (also known as Bowen Technique and Bowenwork) to individuals. Today, trained Bowtech practitioners represent and practice in roughly 37 countries worldwide.

As many other Bowen therapists can attest and identify- they stumbled upon Tom Bowen’s work quite by ‘accident’. This is exactly what happened to me and I have been fascinated, passionate and enthralled with understanding the uniqueness and effectiveness of this modality ever since. I must admit that I was initially skeptical- the concepts of the therapy were very foreign, hard to measure scientifically, and difficult to explain. Prior to massage, I worked in training rooms, studied exercise physiology, and became a massage therapist with the belief that real results required a deep structural approach with individuals- making their tissue conform and yield to sometimes painful and misappropriated uses of strength. My clients got results and it was incredibly rewarding (short term) professionally, but what was lacking and what always frustrated me, was the fact that the gains never ‘stuck’ or held in their bodies, and they would be on a continuous treatment schedule for the same complaints, that seemingly had no end. For a very results driven minded individual, that was always hard for me to reconcile. Bowen work has completely changed my perspective. I continue to marvel at the work’s simplistic sophistication and efficacy.