The Bowen Technique
The Bowen
Technique and Fibromyalgia Relief
Gentle Touch Produces Miracles
By Gerri Shapiro, MS Ed.
My Story
For as long as I can remember, I've suffered from back pain. Although I have experienced
some relief using heat, cold, massage, chiropractic and acupuncture, invariably the pain
has always returned - until I visited a friend in California who had similar back
problems. She told me she had some body work done called Bowen. Her back and hip pain were
gone after the first session! I was definitely intrigued. I couldn't wait to find out
more.
When I arrived back home I got on the internet and discovered that the Bowen Technique
originated in Australia and wasn't that well known in the U.S. Hoping to find a
practitioner, I emailed close to 40 practitioners around the U.S. and asked if they
could refer me to someone nearby. After 39 "no's" I got one "yes!" I
arranged to have three Bowen sessions. After the third session, my back pain and sciatica
were "history!" I was so excited, I decided to train as a Bowen practitioner.
Where did the Bowen technique come from?
The Bowen Technique was developed in Australia in the 1950's by Thomas Bowen, a gifted
healer. Late in life he discovered he had an unusual gift that allowed him to intuitively
know what was ailing people and how to help them relieve their pain. His healing technique
is unique in that it was developed without him having had any previous medical or
healthcare training.
He claimed he could feel tiny vibrations in people’s muscles that helped him find the
exact location to work on. He spoke of his skill with great humility and frequently stated
that his work was “simply a gift from God.” Tom had the capacity to quickly
assess what was wrong with someone and where they were out of balance. He could look into
a room full of people, glance at them for about 20 seconds, and know what their problems
were. Although he never advertised, it was estimated that he treated over 13,000 people in
the course of one year, and he claimed a success rate of about 88%!
Like Palmer (Chiropractic), Rolf, (Rolfing), Feldenkrais (Feldenkrais Technique) and Usui
(Reiki), Tom Bowen had a unique talent. He dedicated his life to turning his gift into a
practical application that has proven to be of great benefit to thousands of people all
over the world.
How does it work?
The gentle yet powerful Bowen moves send neurological impulses to the brain resulting in
immediate responses of muscle relaxation and pain reduction. The moves create energy
surges which are concentrated in specific areas of the body using "blockers" or
"stoppers." These are released when you stand up.
The Bowen Technique helps the body remember how to heal itself. Electrical impulses sent
to the nervous system remind the body to regain normal movement in joints, muscles and
tendons. This helps relieve muscle spasms and increase blood and lymph flow. Several of
the moves are located along acupuncture meridians or on specific acupuncture points which
are known to stimulate and balance the body’s energy.
A Bowen Session
A Bowen treatment lasts about 30-45 minutes. No oils are used. Treatment can be done
through clothing or directly on the skin. The practitioner "rolls" over the
muscles with her fingers, which causes the muscles to relax. The moves are done in groups.
Between sets, the practitioner leaves the room for at least two minutes to allow the body
to relax. The moves send out signals which:
* stimulate energy flow;
* facilitate lymphatic drainage of toxins and waste;
* promote good circulation;
* release tension;
* increase mobility;
* encourage the body to relax, realign and heal itself.
Some people feel shifts in their bodies during and after a Bowen session. While many
experience immediate pain relief, improvement is just as likely to unfold over the next
few days to a week. Two or three treatments are usually enough to achieve long-lasting
relief. Even long-term conditions may respond very quickly. The ideal situation is to give
the Bowen Technique a try for 3 sessions, once per week, without having any other kind of
bodywork in between.
Bowen and Fibromyalgia Relief
There is compelling research that the Bowen Technique may also be effective in relieving
the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia.
American College of Rheumatology
In a study of twenty patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia conducted by Jo Anne Whitaker,
M.D., at the American College of Rheumatology, almost all participants experienced various
degrees of relief which lasted from a few days to several weeks. Most reported immediate
relief following a Bowen treatment. For some, repeated Bowen therapy maintained complete
clinical remission. The results were statistically significant and correlated with
improvement of clinical well-being.
Fibromyalgia Pilot Study
A pilot study on the effect of Bowen treatments on fibromyalgia sufferers was carried out
by Tim Willcocks (Bowen Practitioner and Trainer). Four participants (aged 39-52) who were
diagnosed with fibromyalgia from 3 to 5 years, were given four Bowen treatments over a
five week period. All four participants experienced improvement, including better sleep,
ease in walking, cessation of vertigo, eased neck pain, improved balance and less
exhaustion.
Effects of the Bowen Technique on the Autonomous Nervous System and Heart Rate Variability
By measuring changes in the value and pattern in heart rate variability before and after a
Bowen treatment, this study by Jo Anne Whitaker, M.D., demonstrated that the Bowen
Technique affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS). By using Heart Rate Variability to
study the autonomic nervous system, early findings demonstrated that Bowen treatments
balanced the ANS. The control group consisted of subjects with all types of
rheumatological conditions.
Bowen Technique Hailed By Health Professionals
Dr. JoAnne Whitaker, M.D., was facing a hip replacement and back surgery when she
discovered the Bowen Technique. After receiving Bowen treatments, not only was she able to
walk, but she went back to playing golf... without surgery. She was so impressed that she
flew to Australia to train in the Bowen Technique and now treats patients with ailments
ranging from bunions to heart disease.
According to Dr. Whitaker, "Bowen Therapy is the single, most important hands-on
healing technique in medicine."
Brenda Williams chose the Bowen Technique as the sole hands-on component of her hospital's
pain management unit.
Dr. Ted Sleigh states that of all the modalities he has used, "Bowen Therapy has
helped so many of my patients that I would never want to give it up."
Audrey Butko, M.D., considers the Bowen Technique to be a blessing in her practice because
of its simplicity, results and patient satisfaction. It has nearly eliminated her need to
use cortisone injections.
Dr. Christine Staub, a family physician with a special interest in the treatment of
chronic pain, has seen the Bowen Technique "unlock the door" for patients who
reached an impasse in their pain treatment. "I am thrilled to have Bowen Therapy as a
resource for myself, family, friends and patients," she said.
New Zealand Naturopath Lou Hassik has said that the Bowen Technique has made his previous
approach to human health care redundant. He now considers Bowen to be "the most
important health care discovery in human history!"
Mitchell R. Mosher, DPM, claims that the Bowen Technique is one of the most powerful
physical medicine techniques he has learned in 24 years as a podiatrist. He routinely uses
the Bowen Technique to complement his treatment of various foot and ankle injuries.
According to Russell Dick, Osteopath: "There are things in life which pass in front
of you that must be grabbed with both hands. Bowen has turned my practice on its head,
with 80% of my patients being given Bowen as first choice."
Gerry Townsend, M.D., offers the Bowen Technique to acute and chronic patients who have
not responded to traditional treatment for myofascial pain syndrome, back pain,
fibromyalgia, arthritis or fractures. Although skeptical at first, C.S. Whitman, M.D., an
orthopedic surgeon, now regularly refers patients to her program.
Surprising and Unexpected Recoveries
People with chronic disabilities such as chronic fatigue syndrome, MS, fibromyalgia,
cerebal palsy, muscular dystrophy and arthritis have been known to show a gradual
improvement in the condition and quality of life. If someone has not responded
to other forms of treatment, it is always worth trying the Bowen Technique because in many
cases it has been known to trigger sometimes surprising and unexpected recoveries when
nothing else has worked.
Fibromyalgia - One Woman's Story
Exhaustion had become a stable part of her life, as had the pain. During a
visit to a new doctor, a brief mention of the Bowen Technique was made and she was
referred to a practitioner. She had no idea what to expect and she was very
nervous during her first visit. The therapy was explained in a very reassuring
way, even though she didn't really understand the part about "energy flow" and
she found the whole thing a little weird. But she had come this far, so she
thought she might as well give it a try.
The treatment itself was very relaxing. In fact, she almost fell asleep
several times. Since she was accustomed to a life of conventional drug therapy, she
tried to rationalize how Bowen could possibly help, especially after nothing else had
worked. The week after her first session she remained skeptical, and so it was to
her surprise that within a few days she began to feel different. Her pain was
still there, but she felt different. Like she could do more.
She decided it was probably a coincidence.
Over the next few weeks she began to take regular walks and without even noticing it, she
slowly developed less reliance on pain killers. Gradually the time between
Bowen treatments grew longer. It is now months since her last treatment and
she still doesn't understand the whole process, but what does that matter?
When did she ever understand how conventional medicine worked?
All she knows is that without the aid of prescription drugs, she is slowly regaining much
of the life she had lost for so long.
The main difference between Bowen and other modalities is how fast it works, how gentle it
feels and how long the pain relief lasts. Anyone can learn how to do the Bowen
Technique: there is only one basic move.
The technique has been successful in treating back pain, sciatica, headaches, migraines,
arthritis, fibromyalgia, sports injuries and much more. For me, the miracle lies in
the fact that doing so little produces such long-lasting relief.
* * * * * * * * *
Gerri Shapiro, MS Ed, is a leading health educator and Bowen practitioner who has worked
with the World Health Organization, Asian Development Bank, USAID and Management Sciences
for Health in the areas of alternative and traditional medicine. She is a member of
the American Massage Therapy and American Holistic Health Associations. She is the
editor of
www.boweninfo.com, a Bowen
information and resource site.
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Page Updated:
July 25, 2004
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