Walkabout Healing-Bowen FAQs

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Bowen FAQs

What is Bowen Therapy? Bowen Therapy is a gentle, but powerful form of bodywork developed in the 1950's by Australian Tom Bowen. Results are often similar to what one would expect from deep tissue massage, chiropractic treatments or Rolfing, but are achieved with a surprisingly light touch.
What is NST? NST stands for Neurostructural Integration Technique and is the form of Bowen Therapy that is practiced at Walkabout Healing Arts. It was developed by Australian Michael Nixon-Livy after years of studying the work of many of Tom Bowen's direct students.
What is Bowen Therapy good for? It can help relieve chronic pain, recent injuries, neck & back pain, sciatica, scoliosis, asthma, edema, back pain during pregnancy, muscle cramps & spasms, bed wetting, carpal tunnel pain, frozen shoulder, headaches, TMJ pain, knee & ankle pain, angina pain, reflux, depression, shin splints, and can also help with many other complaints. In short, it relieves pain due to a wide range of causes, plus a surprising array of other complaints as well.
Does Bowen Therapy work for everyone? Sadly, no. While Bowen Therapy has a very high success rate (a broad survey of Bowen therapists indicates a success rate of more than 80% at resolving recipients' main complaints within 5 treatments) no single therapy is going to help every individual, or every condition.
How does Bowen Therapy work? Very well! Seriously, this is probably the most difficult question to answer about Bowen Therapy. Unfortunately, Tom Bowen offered no explanation (he was a man of few words) and we have limited understanding today of the actual mechanism by which it works. Bowen therapy does seem to have a strong affect on the nervous system through the proprioceptors (nerve endings which give feedback about the internal condition of the body) and seems to get them to 'reset' internal systems to lower tension levels, allowing healing to take place. Bowen therapy also seems produce its effects through the fascia and connective tissue, and there is exciting recent research regarding the relationship of fascia to the nervous system, and muscle function and health.
Is Bowen Therapy painful? Mostly, Bowen treatments are done with a very light touch and are usually painless. Some parts of the treatment may be done with a little more pressure, or an individual may be especially sensitive and experience some mild discomfort. At times, some recipients have reported brief periods of pain or muscle spasms during a treatment or in the days immediately following treatment - this seems to be part of their healing process, and can be viewed as positive signs of change and healing.
Who can receive Bowen treatments? Bowen therapy is generally safe for all beings - young and old, healthy or frail, two-legged or four. All will benefit according to their need and healing ability. I do make some special adjustments to my treatments for people who are pregnant, or those who have severe toxic burdens.
How many Bowen treatments should I receive? This depends on the severity of your health problem, how long you have suffered from it, and your individual body's ability to heal, and your goals and expectations. It is good to decide if you just want a bit of relief from your immediate pain or discomfort, or if you want to resolve the underlying cause. Getting to the root cause usually takes more treatments, but is very rewarding! Generally, recipients will notice significant improvement within 1 to 4 treatments. Very long standing or chronic conditions may require more treatment (a good rule of thumb is one week of treatment for every year since the original injury or beginning of the pain/disfunction) and people who continually re-injure themselves (such as some athletes) may benefit from regular, long term treatment.
How often should I receive Bowen treatments? Initially, it is best to receive a short series of treatments spaced approximately one week apart. Doing treatments less than 5 days apart usually gives no added benefit (each treatment will continue to work in the body for 5-10 days) and waiting longer than 10 days seems to cause the body to lose some healing momentum, as each treatment builds on the last. After the initial series, it is good to reevaluate and adjust the schedule according to your needs and goals. After the pain or injury has been satisfactorily resolved, some people may choose to receive periodic "tune-up" treatments as needed, especially if they have suffered new injuries, illness or emotional challenges.
What do I need to know and do before my treatments? You will benefit most from your treatments if you avoid other forms of manual therapy - such as massage, chiropractic treatments, acupuncture and physical therapy - for at least 4 days before your Bowen treatment. Try to arrive for your session reasonably well rested and hydrated to improve your healing potential. The treatments are done through light clothing, so wear something light, loose and comfortable.
What will happen during my Bowen treatment? Usually you will relax on a massage table, starting face down, and your therapist will do a short series of strumming moves over specific muscles, tendons, and nerves. Your therapist will then allow you to rest for a brief time (often leaving the room) so your body can integrate that work. Then your therapist will return and do another series of moves. This pattern will be repeated throughout the treatment. Music, pillows and blankets will be available, and the temperature of the room can be adjusted for your comfort. Most people find the treatments deeply relaxing, and you may even fall asleep for awhile. If you experience any pain or discomfort during the treatment, please let your therapist know immediately.
How long does a Bowen session take to complete? Once the recipient is on the table, treatments typically take about 40 minutes to an hour. However some treatments take a little longer, and some are much shorter - depending on individual needs. Also, some people fall asleep during the treatment, and they will be allowed to snooze for awhile as this is an important opportunity to heal. A longer treatment is not necessarily better - in Bowen therapy "Less is More" and some of the most powerful treatments only take a few minutes to complete - yet the results may last for years.
What should I do after my treatments? Drink some extra water, get enough rest, go easy on your body for a few days, walk to assist circulation, don't cross your legs while sitting in chairs, land carefully and evenly on both feet when getting out of your bed or car, and avoid other forms of bodywork and excessive heat or cold (e.g. hot tubs, hot baths and ice packs) for about a week to 10 days.
Why shouldn't I have other kinds of bodywork just before or after my Bowen treatments? While Bowen therapy is powerful work, it is also subtle. Other kinds of bodywork seem to disrupt the healing effect of Bowen therapy, though Bowen treatments do not diminish the benefit of other treatments.
I hear you have a dog in your office, and that I have to walk up a few steps to get there? The rumors are true! Rabbit the wonder dog is the official greeter, and the Walkabout Healing Arts home office has a few steps leading to the front door. If you are allergic to dogs, or are unable to negotiate the steps, please let me know. You will receive your treatments in your home, or other suitable place of your choosing, at no extra charge.

Disclaimer

Massage Therapy, Bowen Therapy and Neurostructural Integration Technique are not intended to

replace necessary medical treatment. The therapists at Walkabout Healing Arts do not diagnose or

treat specific medical conditions. There is no implication that any of the techniques used will relate

directly to or have any specific effects on any individual person's conditions or ailments.

If you have medical concerns, we recommend you consult a licensed medical practitioner.