Bowenwork works primarily with the fascia (your body's connective tissue) and the autonomic nervous system (your body's control center for those automatic processes like breathing, reproduction, digestion and your fight or flight response). Bowenwork is comprised of a series of specific, rolling movements over key structural points in the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and nerves. These moves send a message to the brain via the nerves in that structure. These messages are often interpreted as a little “heads up” to the brain to pay attention and allow for relaxation to both the nervous system and your fascia. The brain then re-orients itself to a “blue-print” of a previously healthy state. This re-orientation can happen in any of the systems of the body so Bowenwork produces an integrated healing response for the whole body. To view a video of Bowenwork in action, click here to visit the home page of the American Bowen Academy.(http://www.americanbowen.academy/)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzy8-wQzQMY Your body is a complex system; no one area exists on its own. Every part is connected via a complex web of connective tissue called fascia. This fascia encases every muscle fiber, muscle group, organ and bone…continuing on to become ligaments, tendons, etc. Picture a three dimensional spider web, it's like that. If you were to melt away the rest of the body, leaving only fascia, you would have a webbed replica of your entire physical self. Since it’s a web, if you pull on or damage one area, the insult can be felt in other areas of the body, much like getting your hand stuck in a spider web and pulling. The effect of that pull will be noticed elsewhere in the web. This is why I may work with your hamstrings or even feet when you came in for low back tension. And, science is finding that tension and restriction are held in our fascia, not our muscle.

Two reasons. First, because of fascia (described above)...just because you feel the injury in your elbow, it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where it originated. The only way to truly release a restriction is to find the source. The second reason is because Bowenwork’s highest goal is to balance the body and nervous system. A balanced being can heal faster, resist injury better and experience more calm and wellbeing than one that is out of balance. Balancing the body and nervous system can often mean addressing your core first…working along the spine (where so many nerves lie) and upper legs…even if that’s not where it hurts. We’re going for whole healing here, not just a quick fix that will only hold for a week or so.

Tom Bowen, the originator of this modality, was a self-taught osteopath and a highly skilled observer. He could see where movement often stopped in an individual, common load-bearing areas and spots where many layers of fascia and movement intersect. Over time, it’s been discovered that many of these “specific spots” also correspond with common trigger points, energy meridians, and areas that the brain uses as natural reference points to determine and correct posture.

Between sets of moves, I will leave the space for 2-5 minutes. Your body and nervous system need some time to process what it just received and it seems to do this best when it is not observed. Also, there have been scientific studies done that show it takes approximately 90 seconds for a message to travel through the nerves, reach the brain and for the brain to send a corresponding response.

Your body has so much stimuli coming at it all day long that it sort of “numbs out” to a lot of it. That’s why I utilize a quiet environment (no music or extra talking) and small, specific movements…so the brain has no extra stimuli to process and can really pay attention to what we’re requesting, which is relaxation and release of restrictions. Though we’ll have time to chat before and after your session, we'll limit in-session conversation to what you’re feeling, how you’re doing, if you’re comfortable, etc. If something comes up for you (an emotional or physical response, etc.), please, please share it if it would make your experience more comfortable. That’s why we’re here. Bottom line, this is your time to heal and to focus on you. Quiet helps emphasize that.

Scheduling a Bowen session three days after other bodywork or chiropractic helps you process the work you received in that session before introducing new stuff for your body to process in your Bowen session. Basically, it helps give you more of a fresh palette for the work you’ll be receiving with Bowen. Waiting three days after your Bowen session before receiving other bodywork or chiropractic allows you to process what you received here. Re-orienting can occur for 3-5 days after a Bowen session so allowing your body ample time to process all of that is highly respectful of yourself and the work you’ve invested in as other bodywork can halt that process.

Just as electricity travels faster through water, electrical impulses travel faster in any hydrated environment. Those messages we’re sending to the brain and the brain is sending back to the body will flow oh-so-much better if your body is hydrated. Also, fascia glides over itself and other structures much better if it is hydrated. When fascia is de-hydrated it gets sticky and can glue itself to, well, itself…as well as other structures such as joints, muscle, tendon, etc. Finally, water can help process change in your body. Occasionally, you may experience sensations after a Bowen session. These can include cramping, tingling, aching, emotion, pulsing, and more. Drinking a glass of water and going for a short walk to help re-set yourself can help process these moments immensely.

One difference between Bowenwork and other myofascial therapies is the rest periods between groups of “moves”. Your practitioner will perform a few to several moves and then leave the space to allow you to process the stimulations that just occurred. This is similar to tossing a pebble into a puddle and allowing the ripples to subside before tossing in another pebble. The body can really pay attention and respond to those “ripples” during the rest and not have to try and process another set of “ripples” immediately after, which can water down the message. The readjustment to a previously healthy state occurs during the rests. This is one thing I love about Bowen…the respect it has for individual response, healing and our need for space and quiet to do so.

Nope. Bowenwork is not massage. No oil is used and I can work through thin, loose clothing...like summer pajamas (shorts/tshirt or tank top). Although it is true that I have better contact with your tissues directly over skin and often achiever better results with the rolling movements over skin, I can work through clothing. Often, I'll ask if I can lift a shirt to get at the back or pull up a pant leg to get better contact with your knee. However, you remain in charge of how much clothing you wear. And you are always covered with a blanket while on the table, staying warm is important! What's the best thing to wear for your session? Loose shorts and a tank top, definitely.

Ah, straight to the point, huh? Yes, we all want to know how long and how much. I respect your time and your investment in your health and my skills. Therefore, my goal is to be as efficient and affordable as possible. Additionally, I have found, through my own personal experience and working with many clients, that the effects of Bowen are cumulative...and very individual. You can absolutely experience relief after one session, it happens again and again. However, if you have accumulated years of injuries or have been living with the after-effects of a severe injury for a very long time or are seeking relief from overwhelm, stress, etc., I recommend three sessions. It’s nice if these are 1-2 weeks apart so you can really begin to balance your body and experience relief from your injury. I’ve observed that often a marked difference occurs during the third session, a client goes deeper into the work, achieves a deeper level of relaxation and can often feel changes on a deeper level. That’s why I encourage this commitment to healing with a discounted 3-session package.(javascript:void(0)) How long will it take? Bottom line...it varies. I know, I know. Every bodyworker says that. And it's true. There are a lot of contributing factors, including habitual posture, exercise, stress, hydration, level/amount of injury and trauma and we will work together through this for the best results for you.

Visit the American Bowen Academy page (http://www.americanbowen.academy/about-american-bowen-academy/about-bowenwork/how-bowenwork-originated)describing Bowenwork's origins nearly 70 years ago. I really can't say it better myself!

Nope! Bowenwork can be performed sitting up in a comfy chair, in a massage chair. standing, in a hospital bed or wheelchair. I've worked with adults and infants in their own homes when travel was difficult. Basically, I can usually work around anything and Bowen is so flexible that way.