About Bowenwork

Bowenwork engages the autonomic nervous system, which governs stress responses, including the "fight or flight" mechanism, alongside the body’s recovery processes. By diminishing the stress-driven dominance of the sympathetic nervous system, Bowenwork alleviates muscle tension, lessens nerve hypersensitivity, and disrupts the feedback loops that contribute to acute pain. Concurrently, it revitalizes the parasympathetic system, enhancing blood and lymph circulation, nourishing deprived tissues, mitigating inflammation, and accelerating the healing process.

While spasm and inflammation are natural responses to injury, they can become enduring issues. Bowenwork effectively alleviates these symptoms by countering "fight or flight" responses and promoting increased blood and lymph flow. The beneficial effects of Bowenwork may appear immediately, yet can also develop for up to a week. Although addressing long-term dysfunction patterns requires time and repetition, Bowenwork typically restores normal function within just 3 to 8 sessions.

Bowenwork is versatile and can be administered in various settings, from sports fields to hospital rooms or even during travel. It is entirely safe and suitable for individuals of all ages, including newborns and the elderly. While certain movements may be contraindicated in specific cases, there are no blanket contraindications for a Bowenwork session, as the holistic benefit to the body remains consistent.

An image of a Bowenwork practioner lightly touching the back of a client lying face down on a massage table.

When To Try Bowenwork

In a strictly medical sense, Bowenwork should not be considered to “cure” anything. The following is a partial list of conditions from which our clients have experienced substantial relief with Bowenwork; the most common conditions among our clientele are in bold.

  • Ear Problems or Tinnitus

  • Emphysema

  • Groin Pain

  • Hammer Toes

  • Hamstring Tension

  • Hay Fever or Allergies

  • Headaches

  • Heel Pain

  • Hernia

  • Hiatal Hernia

  • Incontinence (adult)

  • Infertility (Male & Female)

  • Irregular Milk Supply

  • Jaw and T.M.J. Problems

  • Kidney Problems

  • Knee Problems

  • Leg or Muscle Cramps

  • Lymphatic Drainage and Lymphedema

  • Abdominal Pain

  • Ankle Problems or Injury

  • Asthma

  • Back Pain

  • Bed Wetting

  • Bell’s Palsy

  • Breast Lumps or Pain

  • Bunions

  • Bursitis

  • Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome

  • Chest Pain

  • Coccyx Pain

  • Colic

  • Constipation

  • Diaphragm Pain

  • Digestive Problems

  • Distension (abdominal)

  • Frozen Shoulder

  • Dizziness

  • Meniere’s disease

  • Migraines

  • Pelvic Tilt

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Pregnancy Discomfort

  • Repetitive Stress Injuries

  • Sacral Pain

  • Sciatica

  • Scoliosis

  • Shin Splints

  • Sinus Discomfort

  • Sprung ribs

  • Sternal Pain

  • Tennis Elbow

  • Tendonitis

  • Vaccine Side Effects (Including Covid Vaccine)

  • Vomiting and Nausea

What To Expect

Image of Bowen Practioner holding the arm of a boy seating on massage table.

Bowenwork is an effective style of bodywork that addresses the body in a subtle way to activate its own healing mechanisms.

When you arrive for your first appointment you will be asked to complete paperwork and we will have a conversation about your reason for visiting.  You will then lie, fully clothed, on a comfortable table.  Your practitioner will perform a series of moves over your muscles, tendons or nerves, then leave the room for at least two minutes to allow your body time to process the movements.  This process is repeated until the session is completed. The work is gentle and uses a very light touch. If you have any tender or sensitive areas please let your practitioner know ahead of time. There is nothing in the session that should hurt or be painful in any way.

You may feel very relaxed and fall asleep during the session. Allow 90 minutes for your first session and an hour for each following appointment.

Please arrive for your appointment wearing loose fitting, comfortable clothes (avoid denim) as all the work will be performed over your clothing.  Be sure to drink ample water prior to your appointment so you are well hydrated. 

Generally, 5–8 sessions, one week apart, will be sufficient to address most concerns. Some conditions will need more sessions, some may need fewer. Some clients choose to receive regular "tune ups" or maintenance sessions to keep them feeling great.

An image of a Bowen Practioner lightly touching the upper back of a client who is laying face down on a massage table.