| The Bowen Technique is one version of a group | | | | and Baker (1999) was performed entitled |
| of technical interpretations of the work of | | | | Frozen Shoulder Research Programme and |
| Australian self proclaimed osteopath Tom | | | | studied the effects of Bowen on shoulder |
| Bowen 1916 - 1982 known as Bowen Therapy | | | | flexibility and pain. The study showed |
| which is a holistic system of healing. The | | | | significant improvements (p shoulder |
| Bowen Technique was limited to Australia | | | | flexibililty compared with the control group. |
| until 1986, four years after Bowen's death in | | | | Changes in complaints of pain were not tested |
| 1982, when it was named, and spread to other | | | | statistically. Lack of ethical, |
| countries around the world by Mr. Oswald | | | | methodological and analytical detail in this |
| Rentsch a massage therapist of Hamilton, | | | | study draws caution to the strength of |
| Victoria Australia who observed Mr. Bowen at | | | | inference from the findings. |
| work one morning a week for two years. | | | | |
| | | | A further study by Whittaker et al (1999) |
| It has since been developed and furthered by | | | | investigated the effect of heart rate |
| many others and is now one of the nine | | | | variability and ANS changes in subjects |
| therapies involved in the move towards | | | | treated with Bowen. Two groups were treated |
| voluntary self regulation in the UK. | | | | those with medically diagnosed fibromyalgia |
| | | | (n=7) and a group without pathology or |
| It should be highlighted that the three other | | | | symptoms (n=11). The results showed a |
| surviving students of Mr. Tom Bowen - Keith | | | | significant change in HRV in the fibromyalgia |
| Davis, Kevin Ryan and Romney Smeeton - all | | | | group but not in the asymptomatic group, |
| have similar methodologies that vary | | | | mainly demonstrating a decrease in heart |
| significantly from the way Oswald Rentsch | | | | rate. |
| teaches the technique. Dr. | | | | |
| | | | All subjects in the former group reported |
| Kevin Ryan teaches his interpretation of the | | | | some relief in symptoms. However three of the |
| Bowen Technique to Osteopathic students at | | | | the fibromyalgia group were used for more |
| the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. | | | | than one reading, resulting in 11 sets of |
| | | | data per group, thereby raising issues of |
| Bowen Technique The Bowen Technique addresses | | | | methodological bias. |
| key points to stimulate energy flow, but | | | | |
| Bowen Technique involves a gentle, rolling | | | | Furthermore with no control or placebo group, |
| motion, with very light touches. The | | | | HRV comparisons are not possible, giving rise |
| practitioner will stimulate sets of points, | | | | to questions of validity. |
| often with pauses between sets. | | | | |
| | | | However although the results from these |
| The Bowen Technique is not a form of massage, | | | | studies can be questioned methodologically, |
| though it does claim to release areas of | | | | there seems to be strong evidence that |
| built-up stress in the muscles,and clients | | | | physiological changes occur when Bowen is |
| usually experience profound relaxation after | | | | applied. |
| a session. | | | | |
| | | | The first properly conducted study, with |
| A view held by some Bowen Therapists is that | | | | approval from ethics and applying strict |
| the specific way that Bowen Technique | | | | methodolgy using Bowen is now complete and |
| addresses the muscles stimulates the stretch | | | | due to be published in September 2006. This |
| and golgi tendon reflexes as well as joint | | | | will examine the effect of The Bowen |
| proprioceptors in a way that heightens the | | | | Technique on Hamstring flexibility in |
| sensory awareness of the body in the area | | | | asymptomatic individuals and has been |
| worked on. This can lead to strange | | | | conducted by Michelle Marr BSc (Hons) PT |
| sensations such as heat release, tingling and | | | | MCSP, senior lecturer at Coventry University. |
| a general increased awareness of the areas | | | | |
| being worked. These sensations are sometimes | | | | A typical session takes place over 30 to 45 |
| mistakenly associatied with some form of | | | | minutes, with breaks during the session to |
| "energy healing". Through increasing sensory | | | | allow the treatment to sink in. Sessions are |
| awareness the move taps into the | | | | usually part of a series of three to five |
| body’s ability to self regulate which, | | | | sessions, beginning with general stress |
| in turn, can stimulate the body to heal | | | | loading points such as the lower and upper |
| itself. | | | | back, before moving on to areas of stress |
| | | | specific to the person being treated. |
| The Bowen Technique can be used as a | | | | However, for the sensitive individual, a |
| stand-alone therapy or in combination with | | | | session can last only 10-15 minutes. |
| other treatments. | | | | |
| | | | The Bowen Technique has also been |
| Since 1998 the technique has become widely | | | | successfully used on animals as well, and |
| used in primary care settings in the UK, with | | | | practitioners of Bowen Technique for animals |
| many chartered physiotherapists using the | | | | can be found all over the world. |
| technique in hospitals, hospices and other | | | | |
| funded health settings. | | | | The Bowen Technique helps to rebalance the |
| | | | body, increasing performance, relieving |
| Research To date only three experimental | | | | muscle and tendon strain, and increasing |
| studies have been performed that have | | | | quality of life for both performance animals |
| collected data following treatment of the | | | | and pets. |
| Bowen Technique. Firstly a study by Kinnear | | | | |