Question 1

What Can I Expect for My First Session?

Accepted Answer

A chance to become quiet within and focus on you.
 
You’ll walk in the door and I’ll offer you a glass of water or tea. If you have already filled out your paperwork, you can relax while I look it over. If not, then you can take some time to fill it out in my waiting room. We’ll have a chat regarding your concerns, why you came in and your goals. Please feel free to be totally blunt with me. I’ve heard it all and I’ve experienced a bunch of it myself so there is no need to hold back if my knowledge can help your healing or establish our therapeutic relationship.
 
After our consultation, I’ll show you to the table. You will have privacy to dress down to your level of comfort if not already there and climb under the covers. I will start the session with a brief series of “moves” or “muscle rolls”. This works best on bare skin but I can and do work through light clothing. I will ask your permission before I lift any clothing. I’ll then leave the space for a couple minutes to allow your body to process what we did without me watching you. I’ll return and start the process again. At the end of the session, you’ll have a longer rest on the table during which you’ll have time to fully relax. At the end, I’ll bring you some water, help you sit up and walk around a bit. You will have time to get dressed and we will have a brief chat before you leave. The entire first session should take between 1 ½ - 2 hours.

Question 2

Before Your Session

Accepted Answer

Please do not schedule any chiropractic, massage, acupuncture or other bodywork 3-4 days before your Bowen session. The messages your brain receives during these sessions should be allowed to process and your body should be allowed to adjust before receiving additional input from your Bowen session.

Question 3

Day of Treatment

Accepted Answer

Please wear loose, comfortable, non-slippery clothing such as shorts, pajama pants, and a loose t-shirt or tank top. Women may consider not wearing a bra as it can constrict lymph and energy flow. Tight yoga or running pants often don’t work too well.

Please avoid strenuous exercise, yoga, tai chi, etc. on the day of your session. Walking and stretching is fine. Depending upon the work you receive, I may encourage you to avoid sitting for over 30 minutes at a time after your session…to avoid reinforcing previous strain patterns.
 
Please avoid using ice packs or electric heating pads. Moist heat, like those microwaveable things, are fine. 
 
Please drink extra water.

Question 4

During The Following Week

Accepted Answer

Please avoid all other forms of bodywork (chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, energy work, magnets, etc.) for 3-4 days to allow Bowen to process effectively. Changes can take place for several days after a session and any other input can interrupt the process. You’ve made an investment in your health, you are worth giving yourself the time to honor the process.
 
Please drink lots of water (8-12 8-oz glasses a day) unless your physician has told you it is unsafe for your medical condition.
 
Please avoid ice packs and electric heating pads.
 
Try to take a walk each day. It will help re-set tension patterns. Go ahead and return to your exercise routine, being mindful of how you're using your body.

If you feel grumpy, very tired, queasy, crampy, random pains, old injuries resurfacing, etc. please know that this may be a temporary response to the work. Aside from jump-starting your body’s self-healing response, Bowenwork can initiate a detoxifying process and old prescription drugs, anesthesia, treatment drugs, etc. stored in your tissues can begin to be released. Sometimes this makes you feel yucky. Extra water, a walk and time will help these feelings pass. Remember, you are releasing what no longer serves you.

Practice any “homework movements” I may have suggested. If you get stuck or forget how to do it, give me a call!

Question 5

Follow Up

Accepted Answer

Return in 7-10 days to reinforce the work you received and stabilize the new patterns you are setting. We can talk about further work and personal goals for your wellness. Once your initial concern is resolved, or on its way to being resolved, consider scheduling 4-6 week maintenance sessions. This can help insure the new balance you have achieved and deal with general life stress and the mini-injuries that come our way by simply living life.
 
Remember that we all heal at our own pace. If you have been coping with a concern for a long time, it may take a few sessions for your body to unwind, release any restrictions and recognize that it can relax. Have patience with your own path and remember to take note of “what is different”. You are worth it!

About Bowenwork

About Bowenwork

734-347-4470

Bowenwork in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Preparing for your session