Bowen bodywork is a unique, gentle style of soft tissue therapy developed by Australian Tom Bowen (1916-1982) in the 1950’s. Several styles and schools of bodywork have sprung from Bowen’s original work, and the NST style is primarily what I use at Walkabout Healing Arts. NST stands for Neurostructural Integration Technique - which is to say, it is a neurologically based technique of structural integration. NST was developed in the early 1990’s by Michael Nixon-Livy (also of Australia) after studying for many years with several of Tom Bowen’s original students. While still relatively new to the United States, Bowen therapy and NST are very popular in Australia, Canada, and many parts of Europe.
Bowen Therapy is a completely new concept in bodywork - it is neither derived from nor similar to any other modality. Sometimes it is easiest to describe Bowen Therapy by what it isn’t:
A Bowen Therapy treatment consists of a series of gentle ‘rolling’ or ‘strumming’ moves called PRI (Proprioreceptive Rolling Impulse) moves, done in specific places on muscles, tendons, and sometimes nerves. The treatment is designed to sedate overly tense muscles and equalize muscle tension on each side of the spine and throughout the body. Balanced muscle tension is the key! We always need some muscle tension in order to maintain posture and proper range of motion in joints - it is when the muscle tensions and forces become unbalanced that we get into trouble. A Bowen treatment consists of systematically applied neuromuscular stimulation designed to create balanced muscle tension, spinal integration and a rapid reduction in pain.
Most of us accumulate small injuries, stresses and tensions in our bodies throughout our lives, which gradually (or sometimes suddenly!) result in unequal muscle tension - which in turn can impede circulation, producing fatigue, increased stress and a downward spiral of pain and spasm. Living with a body in such a condition is very much like driving your car with the parking brake on! It works, but.... it could be so much better! Bowen bodywork is brilliant for unraveling these complex neuromuscular holding patterns and restoring balanced muscle tension in the body - which then allows the body’s other systems to function properly, resulting in improved overall health, power and vitality.
After receiving a Bowen treatment, nearly everyone reports a pleasant, relaxed state and a deep sense of ease and well-being. This unique healing method resets and accelerates the body’s natural healing abilities, relieves stress and anxiety, and promotes natural detoxification processes - all of which help facilitate recovery from injury and illness.
What kinds of conditions respond to Bowen therapy?
While Bowen therapy cannot be said to treat any specific medical conditions (and Bowen therapists are not medical doctors - and so cannot diagnose medical conditions) recipients have found relief or even complete resolution for many conditions and complaints, including:
Generally, about 95% of recipients report a positive outcome from their treatments, and more than 80% experience total resolution of their main complaint after two to five sessions. The best results are achieved if clients receive a short series of treatments spaced 5 to 10 days apart.
What to expect during and after your treatment.
During your treatment, you will usually be resting comfortably on a massage table, most often beginning face down. (If for any reason you cannot be comfortable on a massage table, your treatment may be done in a sitting position.) The treatment is generally done through light clothing, so please wear something light, loose and comfortable. Your Bowen therapist will perform a short series of gentle strumming type moves at various specific points on muscles and tendons, then will leave you to rest for a short time while your body integrates that much of the work. Then your therapist will return, do another set of moves, and again leave you to rest. This pattern will be repeated throughout your treatment. You will receive a treatment that balances you whole body, as well as addressing any specific complaints that you may have.
Most people find the treatments to be deeply relaxing, and many recipients even fall asleep during their treatment. After your treatment you will be asked to land evenly on both feet as you get off the table, which will help your body establish new symmetrical neuromuscular patterns in gravity. You will then receive instructions on how to get the best results from your treatment - this will include drinking extra water, walking or other light activity to help circulation, avoiding other kinds of massage and bodywork treatments for about a week, and avoiding hot tubs, saunas, and hot or cold packs between treatments. (The complete list of suggestions is at the bottom of this page.)
Most people feel relaxed and peaceful after a treatment, but a few people will experience a slight headache or body aches for a few days following the session. This is due to the detoxifying effect of the Bowen treatment, and usually improves with some extra water intake and light exercise, such as walking. Rarely, a recipient will experience increased pain or discomfort in joints or muscles - this usually dissipates in a few days as the body makes it’s own adjustments, or is resolved at the next treatment.
Why try Bowen Therapy?