Bowen Technique, also known as BOWTECH®
The best selling point for this technique is its simplicity and effectiveness. It is soft, non-intrusive, and its positive effects are usually felt after the first few sets of 'moves.' Soft moves applied to soft tissue stimulate energy flow and increase the body’s self-regulatory and self-healing processes.
The goal of this method is: with minimal involvement, to help the body regulate, stabilize, and heal itself.
This method is suitable for people at any stage of life and health, even for pregnant women and babies, as well as before and after surgeries. The foundation and core of this technique are the activation of holistic body, mind, and soul self-regulatory abilities. This method has no contraindications or restrictions. There truly is no part or function of the body that does not react to BOWEN. The influence of this technique even reaches emotional, cognitive, and spiritual aspects. BOWTECH® is a great instrument for supporting the body’s self-regulation, regeneration, and the whole body’s self-healing capabilities. This technique yields surprising results. It works not only with physical symptoms but also affects the emotional, cognitive, and spiritual planes. Consciousness recognizes the whole body as a whole, which depends on the balance of all aspects, and BOWTECH® is the key to success. It can be called the greatest discovery of medicine: “The technique performed on the physical body affects the person as a whole.”
The BOWEN technique frees us from tension and helps our body regain balance, utilizing only the body’s self-regulation resources. With soft yet precise sets of moves applied to specific zones of the body, over muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and with breaks between these moves, the body is given a chance to self-regulate and heal.
The basis of this technique involves the search and use of specific points, precise moves, and tissue stimulation using just the thumb and two fingers. This soft technique can also be performed through clothing.
One explanation for the effectiveness of the BOWEN technique is its influence on fascia and the mechanoreceptors located within them. By stimulating these receptors, which are part of our nervous system, through the brain, muscles, and fascial systems, the body can self-organize to restore its natural and healthy state. This is achieved by influencing the fascia, thus supporting the release of tension in tissues.
Fascia is found throughout the body—it’s like a web that includes specific cells and connects the whole body. Fascia can range from a few nanometers to a few centimeters thick. It covers muscles, muscle fibers, muscle groups, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and forms a protective film over organs like the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, kidneys, and others.
Dr. O. Kļaviņš, arsts.lv writes: “Fascia are the three-dimensional structural mesh of our body. We can discuss fascia in both broader and narrower perspectives. Fascia is a network of soft connective tissue that surrounds all the organs and organ systems of our body. The word ‘fascia’ comes from the Latin word for ‘binding,’ and fascia truly binds organs together. Most doctors and patients perceive the body in a segregated way: the patient complains of stomach or kidney problems, and these ailments are treated by a gastroenterologist or a nephrologist. Other doctors look at the whole body holistically. One way to view our bodies holistically is through the prism of fascia, because fascia weaves together our muscles, bones, internal organs, nerves, and blood vessels, creating an interconnected web in which nothing stands on its own or happens independently of the other organs or systems. These fascial structures contain a large number of mechanoreceptors (receptors located inside the fascia and belonging to the nervous system), which affect muscle tone (tension) and increase the tone of the vagus nerve.”
BOWEN moves and techniques stimulate many of these receptors, improve the hydration of fascia, and aid in the supply processes of blood and lymphatic vessels, nerves, and cells. The body can be compared to a musical instrument, such as a violin, which must be tuned perfectly in order to perform at its full potential. Just as a musician must place their fingers precisely on the strings, the BOWTECH® practitioner must perform all the moves on the body with equal precision. The body is just as sensitive as an excellent Stradivari violin. Just as a string must be carefully and delicately strung to play the desired note, so too must the tissues be carefully activated for the body to respond to BOWTECH®.
"Less is more"—this is the motto of the BOWEN technique: even the smallest interventions or impulses can create significant changes in the body. If performed correctly and precisely, these impulses improve the body’s self-regulatory processes. Although BOWTECH® is performed on the physical body, the effects extend beyond the physical realm, helping even on the emotional and psychological levels. Health, integration, and harmony are the goals of BOWTECH®.
BOWEN is not a massage. Friction and prolonged touch on any specific area after a BOWTECH® move can disrupt or even stop its effects. The technique works only on the upper layers of the skin and fascia, which is why a light touch is all that’s needed. Some zones of influence align with acupuncture points, but BOWTECH® is not acupuncture, and BOWEN is not chiropractic care. BOWTECH® does not work with bones. Many therapists and clients observe noticeable changes in the spine and musculoskeletal system, serving as proof that the body can realign itself and release tension in the muscles and fascia.
BOWEN is not physiotherapy or a neuromuscular reorganization process. In physiotherapy, the patient performs specific exercises to address particular issues, and the process assumes the exercises themselves lead to improvement. Unlike this, BOWTECH® involves a specific sequence of moves, which stimulates the body to self-regulate.
BOWTECH® is also not trigger-point therapy. While some points may overlap, most trigger points are located within the center of muscles, whereas BOWTECH® moves are performed where fascia meets muscles or where different muscle groups intersect.
BOWEN is not a skin surface muscle relaxation therapy. Although the skin's surface over muscles is stimulated with BOWTECH® moves, it is not influenced strongly. During a BOWEN procedure, the body’s natural self-healing process is triggered, allowing the body to relax ligaments and rest tissues after a sequence of moves.
BOWTECH® is not a lymphatic drainage massage. BOWEN stimulates and promotes lymph flow, and during the procedure, surplus body fluids may drain through the nasal cavities. There is even evidence that cysts can reduce in as little as a few weeks. However, BOWTECH® does not involve strong strokes or follow the principles of lymphatic drainage.
Practical Information:
This technique is performed on a massage table. The first session lasts 30–40 minutes, and a second session must be performed within 5–10 days. The second session is necessary to reinforce the results and continue the work begun in the first session.
In the first session, only the base technique is performed. Subsequent sessions can be supplemented with special moves tailored to each individual's needs to maximize the effect. Often, children need only the first—base—technique. The second and following sessions last 45–60 minutes. It is recommended to do no more than four consecutive sessions (with special exceptions of up to six). After this, the body must rest and continue healing on its own for at least 2–5 weeks. If, after the break, it still feels like BOWEN is needed, another round of four sessions can be done. If an injury or trauma occurs before the break is over, the use of BOWTECH® is not only allowed but recommended.
When BOWEN can help:
in general:
for general balancing of body functions, energy flow stimulation, relaxation
stress, sadness, tearfulness, anxiety, shock, depression, emotional tension, especially in men
immunity problems, general fatigue, to stimulate detoxification improving the sympathetic nervous system
hormonal regulation, hormone dysfunction allergies, seasickness, hay fever balance difficulties lymphatic drainage
problems, lymphedema, edema, swollen glands to improve fluid balance and movement neurodermatitis
bumps, scars paralysis, fascial paralysis
cold, poisoning
pain caused by uniform movement
infectious diseases, flu
dyslexia, dysgraphia, distalia, speech and learning, perception disorders
bursitis
Hepatitis C
diabetes
for sedentary people, extreme athletes
kidney problems, kidney stones, kidney-adrenal function improvement, adrenal exhaustion
peripheral blood circulation problems
Head:
ear and hearing problems including ringing in the ears, hissing, deafness, inner ear problems, resulting dizziness
vision problems
nose and smell, upper respiratory tract problems, runny nose, snoring
jaw and teeth problems including crowded teeth, braces, implants, teeth grinding, jaw clicking, upper jaw abnormality, jaw-bite problems
headaches, dizziness, migraines
dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyslalia, speech and learning, perception difficulties
neck, breathing:
sore throat, recurrent throat problems
neck stiffness, neck restriction and pain
bronchial pain, inflammation,
"mumps", angina (without pus), whooping cough
asthma, asthma attacks, asthmatic symptoms
breathing problems
cough
tonsil problems
lung diseases (all), pneumonia
chest pain, rib pain, chest tightness
shallow breath
CHEST:
chest pain
breast problems, breast cysts, fibrocystic breasts (growth), mastitis
chest muscle tension
heart disease (all)
blood pressure problems, high/low
diaphragm problems
DIGESTIVE TRACT:
problems in the digestive tract
stomach and pancreatic problems, reflux disease, ileocecal valve problems, acid imbalance, belching, including in the esophagus
liver problems
intestinal problems, irritable bowel syndrome, appendicitis, "pocket" in the intestine, celiac disease, gastritis
constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, gas
colic and vomiting in infants, flatulence, gas in infants
hiccups
UROLOGY-GYNECOLOGY:
bladder and urinary tract problems, urinary tract inflammation, urinary incontinence, ovarian and uterine problems
enuresis (in children)
testicular prolapse (in children)
problems in the reproductive system
childbirth - before/after and during childbirth
menopause
fibroids
infertility
premenstrual syndromes (PMS)
fistulas, hemorrhoids in the initial stage
SPINE:
muscular and skeletal problems, postural imbalance
round back, hunched shoulders, kyphosis, scoliosis, chest pain
neck-spinal problems, disc herniations, ruptures, hernia in the neck area
pain and tension in the shoulders and upper back, contractions in the rhomboid muscles
middle back pain, lower back pain, lower back problems, lumbar back stiffness
sacral pain, swelling, coccyx injury, pain
arthritic hip pain
gait disturbance, abnormal gait
pelvic problems, pelvic muscle discomfort, pelvic imbalance
specific pain in the buttock area, sciatica
ARMS - SHOULDERS:
limited hand movements, "frozen shoulder" (cannot raise the hand 90 degrees. at an angle)
shoulder pain, limited movement, discomfort
elbow pain, inflammation
forearm pain, repeated forearm injury
wrist pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
pain in the hands when overexerted
LEGS:
any leg and pelvic problems
groin problems, hernia
different leg lengths, X or O legs
broken leg - plastered
spreads legs while lying on back
thigh problems, tight or injured hamstrings
lower leg problems
knee problems, injuries, menisci
ankle problems
pain and functional disorders in the foot in the feet, inflammation of the foot-heel, pain in the heels, inflammation at the bottom of the foot, motionless - immobile foot, flat foot syndrome, "cold" feet
big toe problems, deformity, "hammer toes" - pinched toes, Hallux valgus (painful bunions)
Post-BOWEN Technique Restrictions for the Next 24-48 Hours:
Drink between 1.5 to 2 liters of water to support the body's healing process.
Avoid sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time. If you need to sit, stand up after 30 minutes, stretch, and then you may resume sitting.