How Bowenwork®  Originated

Bowenwork was developed in the 1950s by the late Thomas Bowen of Geelong, Australia. Bowen's approach was to reset the tension in certain muscles and muscle groups by using a unique type of stretch-and-roll-through move and then pausing between sets of moves to give the body time to begin its response.

 He achieved amazing results. According to a 1974 survey of alternative health practitioners performed by the Victorian Government, Bowen was found to be doing over 13,000 sessions per year. In over 85% of his cases, the problems for which his patients sought relief were resolved.

In the last years of his life, Bowen allowed several practitioners to observe him. He recognized only six of them as understanding his work. One of these, Oswald (Ossie) Rentsch, promised at Bowen's deathbed to make his work known around the world. Ossie's interpretation of Mr. Bowen's work is now taught in over 30 countries under the auspices of the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia (BTAA) and is known under the international trademarks Bowtech® and Bowenwork®.

Overview of the Work

Bowenwork®/Bowtech® is unique in the field of bodywork. Its relatively few, gentle "moves" over muscle and other soft tissue address the whole body, stimulating it to reset and heal itself. The healing may occur at all levels as needed: physical, chemical, emotional, mental, energetic.

A Bowenwork session consists of several series of gentle moves through light-weight clothing or on skin. In a Bowenwork office or clinic, the client usually lies on bodywork table or, for comfort, sits in a chair. However, Bowenwork can be done anywhere -- on the sports field, in a hospital room, at the site of an accident, on an airplane or train.

A session may last from fifteen minutes to an hour. Most often, a surprisingly few sessions are needed to alleviate complaints, whether structural or functional, even if long-standing. And the results hold for a long time, generally until there is a re-injury

Bowenwork is appropriate for everyone from newborns to the very elderly and frail. For example, both highly trained athletes and pregnant women benefit equally, each according to need. Although there are three circumstances in which a specific series of moves is contraindicated, there are no contraindications for a Bowenwork session, as other parts of the body and the body as a whole will still benefit.

Bowenwork Academy USA is the official United States affiliate of the original Bowen Technique.