BOWEN THERAPY — RESEARCH AND ARTICLES
BACK AND NECK PAIN:
Amy Norman presented a study on Bowen therapy in 1998 at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Physical Education,
Exercise and Sport Science.
Practitioners rated the following results in their clients:
- 85% effectiveness in back pain with 4.3 sessions
- 88% effectiveness in neck pain with 4.5 sessions
- 83% effectiveness in stress, tension with 4 sessions
- 83% effectiveness in "other" issues after 5.8 sessions
After receiving their treatments, clients reported the following results:
- 85% effectiveness with back pain
- 80% effectiveness for stress and tension
- 80% effectiveness with Fibromyalgia
- 95% effectiveness with TMJD
- 80% effectiveness with hip pain
- 75.6% for "other" conditions
BOWEN THERAPY AND THERMOGRAPHY
Australian Bowen therapist and instructor Faye Ferguson did
a research study using infrared thermography to illustrate the impact of a Bowen
therapy treatment on the human body. Images were taken before the Bowen
treatment and at several intervals after the treatment: one hour, two days,
five days and five-thirteen days. The images clearly show an increase in heat
and energy after the Bowen treatment.
MIGRAINES:
London-based Bowen practitioner Nikke Ariff completed the
Bowen therapy Migraine Research Program which studied the efficacy of treating
migraine headaches. The 39 migraine volunteers consisted of 37 women and 2 men.
Thirteen of them had been suffering from migraines for 1-15 years; seventeen of
them had been having migraines for 16-30 years; and nine had migraines for over
30 years. In all, 31 participants experienced a
positive result, representing 79.5% of the total group. At the end of the
program, 36 of the 39 they would recommend Bowen therapy as a treatment to a
friend or colleague.
FIBROMYALGIA:
There is compelling research that Bowen therapy may also be
effective in relieving the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia:
In a study of twenty patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia
conducted by Jo Anne Whitaker, M.D., at the American College of Rheumatology,
almost all participants experienced various degrees of relief which lasted from
a few days to several weeks. Most reported immediate relief following a Bowen
treatment. For some, repeated Bowen therapy maintained complete clinical
remission. The results were statistically significant and correlated with
improvement of clinical well-being.
Fibromyalgia Pilot Study
A pilot study on the effect of Bowen treatments on
fibromyalgia sufferers was carried out by Tim Willcocks (Bowen Practitioner and
Trainer). Four participants (aged 39-52) who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia
from 3 to 5 years, were given four Bowen treatments over a five week period.
All four participants experienced improvement, including better sleep, ease in
walking, cessation of vertigo, eased neck pain, improved balance and less
exhaustion.
More Info on bowen and fibromyalgia:
KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY:
Learn how Bowen therapy can assist in preparing for and
recovering from knee replacement surgery. To view the article, please click here
ASTHMA:
Nikke Ariff did research between 2003 and 2004 to test the
efficacy of Bowen in treating asthma. This research, carried out during a
twelve-month period, included a majority of participants who had had asthma for
over 5 years, and most over 15 years. The results were positive. Eighty-three percent
of participants reported a reduction in the frequency of asthma attacks with
75% reporting less reliance on medication than before the beginning of
treatments.
Of 24 volunteers who completed the program, 22 reported that
secondary health concerns had also improved, including back, neck and shoulder
pain; knee and joint problems; headaches and migraines; hay fever; irritable
bowel syndrome and digestion; circulation; insomnia; anxiety, stress,
depression and energy level improvement.
Whatever the level of asthma, or similar respiratory
problems, Bowen often seems to reduce the level of attack very quickly, and
effectively. A number of case studies forming part of a study over several
years have begun to illustrate how very successful the technique is proving to
be.
As Bowen is both very gentle and non-invasive, there is no
danger in using it with asthma and other respiratory conditions. The many cases
treated have shown often to produce results very quickly which last. Treatment
usually does not need to be continuous, and often just a very few sessions will
change the situation for the sufferer. As with any allergy, the avoidance of
contact with the allergen is an essential part of the treatment. However, what
Bowen therapy does seem to achieve very often is the release of tightness in
the chest which aids both asthmatics and other respiratory sufferers.
The study being undertaken by Alastair Rattray, a very
experienced Bowen Therapist, and Teacher with the European College of Bowen
Studies (ECBS) is showing that it makes no difference as to whether the person
is under a regime of medication, or not. The results are proving, so far, to be
usually exactly the same. The attacks often lessen until they no longer seem to
be a problem. There are many cases recorded at all ages.
CARPAL TUNNEL:
Six people took part in a Bowen tech study carried out by
Glenys Sheedy. They had been suffering from pain and numbness in the fingers
and wrist, shoulders and neck for up to 3 years. They received four bowen
treatments over a 4 week period. Bowen successfully eliminated all symptoms for
3 of the 6 participants, and the remaining three were able to return to regular
activities.
FROZEN SHOULDER:
Published in England by Dr. Bernie Carter, at the
Metropolitan University of Manchester (UK), this Bowen study showed effective
results with frozen shoulder after 3 to 6 treatments, even with those who had
long-standing conditions. The study involved 20 participants diagnosed with frozen
shoulder and treated with Bowen therapy.
70% of participants regained full mobility, equal to the
unaffected side, by the end of treatment. The other participants showed
significant improvement in mobility and associated function. 80% of
participants reports a pain level of 0-2, down from a level of 10. Some still
reported mild ache but none reported any invasive or intense pain, which they
had experienced before receiving Bowen therapy.
At the conclusion of this study, participants reported a
high level of satisfaction with the therapy, a commitment to use Bowen therapy
in any future case of relapse or for another condition, and the intention to
recommend the therapy to friends and family.
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE:
California State University athletic coaches
and training staff have both personally experienced the positive and almost
instantaneous effects of Bowen therapy and seen the phenomenal results on their
football, baseball, basketball, track, cross-country, and crew athletes.
Athletes who have had ankle, back, knee, neck,
shoulder, groin and hamstring strains or pulls, have received immediate
noticeable differences during and after receiving a treatment. i.e. increased
range and ease of motion, athletic fluidity, and release of strain tension or
muscle cramping. Other athletes who have had chronic shoulder, knee, elbow, or
other joint pain due to old injuries had either an immediate noticeable
decrease or total elimination of the pain. Still others who have complained of
tightness in the chest and slight breathing difficulties have received immediate
relief and a greater ability to breathe deeper.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS:
Ashley Pritchard, at Swinburne University, department of
Psychophysiology, Melbourne, Australia, showed that Bowen therapy consistently
reduced subjects' levels of anxiety, and enhanced individuals' positive
feelings by reducing tension, anger, depression, fatigue, and confusion.
Objective measures of decrease in Heart Rate Variability and muscle tension
correlated with subjective feelings of relaxation.
FLEXIBILITY:
A study at Coventry University in the United Kingdom
revealed that Bowen Therapy has an immediate and direct impact on Hamstring
flexibility that lasts at least a week without further treatment. This properly
conducted study, with approval from ethics committee and applying strict
methodology using Bowen therapy, has now been completed and was accepted for
presentation at the First International Fascia Research Congress in Boston in
October 2007.
ARTHRITIS
Learn how Bowen therapy can aid in the
management of arthritic pain. -click to read article
STROKE
A published, 2011 pilot study determined that
stroke patients undergoing Bowen therapy treatment showed improvements in gross
motor and neuromuscular function.
PARKINSON'S
Bowen therapy became more widely known as an treatment
for Parkinson’s disease after John Coleman, a naturopath from Australia,
utilized Bowen therapy in the treatment of his own Stage IV Parkinson’s in
1998. His is still enjoying a remission from his symptoms. Read more about his
experience below:
Article: Bowen and Parkinsons
A testimonial: Bowen and Parkinsons
Disease
PREGNANCY
Bowen is helpful with many aspects of
pregnancy from assisting in conception to safe management of pain and
postpartum conditions. -click to read article
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME:
The Bowen tech study by Marg Biorac from Australia included
six people suffering from Restless Leg Syndrome. One participant did not receive
any treatment and served as the control; the other five received four Bowen
therapy treatments over a four week period. All five persons noticed a
reduction in the frequency, intensity and duration of symptoms.
TMJD RESEARCH:
In Durango, CO, Dr. John Bauman, DDS completed a research
project on the application of Bowen therapy on TMJ abnormality. Assessment of
masseter tension by biofeedback, measurement of bite and subjective symptoms
were compared before and after treatment. Immediately after the first
treatment, one third of patients felt dramatic relief in some of their
symptoms. 20 out of the 22 patients showed significant improvement on their
post biofeedback assessment.
CEREBRAL PALSY
Ongoing research by Howard Plummer in Wales has produced
encouraging results. Initial outcomes include increased vocalization, calmer
behaviour, improved concentration and comprehension and improved head control
and improved balance.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (Testimonial)
I am a terrible skeptic and recently became critically ill
with an exceedingly bad multiple sclerosis exacerbation.
I was in significant muscle pain with reoccurring muscle
spasms. A Bowen practitioner came and visited me in the hospital and did a
session on me. I was so ill and in pain at the time, I thought I’ll try
anything.
After just a few minutes (after the session) - no more than
2 -3, - the pain I had been heavily medicated for completely disappeared and
never returned.
At first, I couldn’t walk or really move my left side much -
but since 3 visits total - I can walk - unsteadily, without a walker for short
distances.
I am astounded something so simple and painless works - but
it clearly does.
IMPACT ON BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND DETOXIFICATION:
Dr. Whitaker, using dark field, phase and fluorescent microscopic
live cell analysis, has demonstrated that blood chemistry changes following Bowen
therapy treatments. These changes corroborate reports by some patients of
flu-like symptoms due to detoxification, which can occur following a session.
HEART AND NERVOUS SYSTEM:
By measuring changes in value and pattern in heart rate
variability before and after treatment, a study by Dr. Whitaker, MD, has shown
that Bowen therapy directly affects the autonomic nervous system. This quieting
of the autonomic nervous system allows the parasympathetic system to attend
more clearly to healing.
BOWEN AND EMPLOYEE HEALTH
A study published in the Australian Journal of
Holistic Nursing found Bowen therapy was proven to have a positive overall
impact on employee health including stress and pain reduction, increased
mobility and energy as well as improved sleep.
BOWEN AND EPILEPSY
A study of epilepsy patients in 2008 revealed
that, in general, the number of seizures decreased and the intensity of the
seizures lessened for all participants.