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WHAT IS THE BOWEN TECHNIQUE
It is a system of subtle and precise mobilizations called
"Bowen moves" over muscles, tendons, nerves and
fascia. The moves are performed using the thumbs and fingers applying
only gentle, non invasive pressure. A treatment consists of a series
of specific sequences of moves called procedures, with frequent
pauses to allow time for the body to respond.
The art of Bowen is somewhere between the art of
Zen calligraphy and Homeopathic medicine. The practitioner must
strive to do the minimum of moves or procedures to trigger in the
body the desired self healing response. Doing too many mobilizations
could actually be counteractive. The sicker the patient is or the
more acute the condition is, the less is done during the session
and the less pressure will be used to do the moves, the more profound
the effect will be on the body. One motto of the technique is
"Less is more" and the therapist must sense when enough
has been done.
WHAT IS A BOWEN MOVE
To get a sense of what a move done over a muscle feels like, place
your right thumb over the center of your left biceps as you keep
your left arm relaxed in it's natural position along the side of
your body:
- Moving the thumb horizontally, draw the skin slack gently
from the center of the muscle to its medial edge (towards your
chest).
- The muscle is challenged for several seconds by applying a gentle
lateral pressure (away from the chest) against its medial edge.
Here the muscle fibers and its fascia are disturbed from their
neutral position and slightly stretched.
- Pressing gently towards the core of the muscle and using the
skin slack available, roll your thumb laterally (away from
the chest) across the biceps just like a bicycle wheel rolling
over a speed bump. As the thumb roll over and across the muscle
gently compressing it, it will react by springing back to its
neutral position.
This typical Bowen move is the core of the technique
and can be applied with some adaptation throughout the body in specific
locations and in prescribed sequences to affect specific body systems
(digestion, lymph circulation, respiratory apparatus...) or body
parts (pelvis, TMJ, shoulder, knee...). Sounds simple! Well it is
simple, but the practitioner must develop with practice a keen
sense of the tension in the tissue. This will tell him exactly
where stress has built up in the tissue and how much pressure to
use, where and when to do a move to release that stress.
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