Bowen Therapy: Start Here

What is it?

A soft tissue technique developed by the Australian, Tom Bowen. You can expect to sit or lay on a treatment table for about 20 minutes, as cross-fibre type movements are made over specific points on your body, in specific sequences. Bowen therapy makes use of stretch, pressure and vibration to activate different receptors to bring about change and regulation.

Prep for Treatment

While Bowen does not require disrobing, relaxed clothing can make your treatment experience more comfortable. If you can, save the skinny jeans for another time 😊 

Make sure you’ve filled in your intake form before your first appointment.

And please - make sure you’re on top of your water. Bowen works with your soft tissue (muscles and fascia), which require hydration for healthy functioning (i.e. treatment response).

Post Treatment

After your Bowen treatment, we talks about the 3 W's: Walk, Water and Wait.

🚶Walk: this is a reminder to get up and move, every half hour or so, on the day of your treatment. For most this is easily done, but if you have a desk job, you might need to set an alarm as a reminder. Blood and lymph depend on muscle contraction (i.e. movement) to flow. If things have been a little stuck for a while, it helps to keep things flowing after your treatment to reduce the likelihood of unwanted after effects (e.g. headaches or muscle aches).

🫗Water: Hydration is key. Fascia (collagen) has more conductivity when you're hydrated (i.e. you will likely have a better treatment response when you are properly hydrated). It also goes a way in helping prevent potential after effects. Bowen therapy may increase blood and lymph flow to an area that has been lacking, perhaps for quite some time. While this is a good thing, new blood and lymph will bring in the goods (nutrients and oxygen), they may also load up on wastes that have accumulated. The solution to pollution? Dilution. Drink up.

⌚️Wait: give it time. For some people, it can take a few days after a treatment for things to settle. For this reason, we encourage you to avoid or delay any other physical treatments (including extremes of temperature) in the days following a Bowen treatment. If you are combining with another therapy, even on the same day (e.g. chiro) - save Bowen for last.

It's also highly unusual /unlikely to be feel all is addressed within one treatment. Wait and work with your practitioner to understand and follow your treatment plan.

#Bowensday