About Bowen Therapy
Bowen therapy is a gentle, hands-on therapy that stimulates the body’s innate ability to rebalance itself.
The therapist performs combinations of unique rolling-type moves over precise areas of the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and even meridian points. These moves stimulate changes in the fascia and autonomic nervous system which can result in changes in structural alignment, nervous system and bodily functions.
Bowen Therapy was initially developed by Thomas Ambrose Bowen in the 1970s and 80s in Australia, whose treatments were so effective that he treated over 13,000 clients per year. The therapy was introduced to the UK in the 1990s and is rapidly growing in popularity.
What can Bowen treat?
Bowen is a naturopathic therapy that aims to rebalance the whole person, not just to address the current symptoms. Common presentations include back and neck pain, sciatica, knee and ankle injuries, frozen shoulder, digestive issues, respiratory problems, structural imbalances, sports injuries, and stress. Practically any problem can potentially be addressed.
Many people have sessions of Bowen therapy in order to support their stress levels and maintain their health, booking regular treatment to help them to not only be free of pain or discomfort, but also to optimise their physical and mental condition.
What does a treatment involve?
An appointment generally lasts 45-60 minutes. The treatment can be given through light and loose clothing or directly on the skin. Three to four treatments at weekly intervals are often sufficient to achieve lasting relief, although further treatments may be required. Many people have sessions of Bowen therapy in order to support their stress levels and maintain their health, booking regular treatment to help them to not only be free of pain or discomfort, but also to optimise their physical and mental condition.
During a session, there are several break periods where the therapist will step away, in some cases leaving the room, in order to give time and space for the body to react to the treatment and make changes. These periods are an essential part of Bowen treatments as they facilitate the rebalancing required. While Bowen therapy can be compared to osteopathy and chiropractic due to its effects on the musculoskeletal system, it is more like acupuncture than massage in its approach: less is often more.
The treatment is always gentle and therefore suitable for all ages, from babies to the elderly. While Bowen is usually given to a client lying on a treatment table, it is also possible to treat someone sitting on a chair if mobility is an issue. There are no known contraindications to receiving Bowen therapy.
Bowen treatments are currently available in Tavistock, Devon, at the Wellness Rooms or the Tavistock Therapy Centre. It is possible to treat remotely if you live in another location. Please contact me if you are interested in this.
Most clients are amazed by the effectiveness of this simple and gentle hands-on therapy.
- Neck and back pain, sciatica and whiplash
- Frozen shoulder
- Joint pain and general pain management
- Sports injuries, both chronic and acute
- Strains, sprains and muscle spasms
- Stress management
- Acute and chronic fatigue
- Headache and ear ache
- IBS and other digestive problems
- Respiratory problems
- Asthma, hay fever and sinusitis
- TMJ problems incl. teeth grinding and snoring
- Pregnancy and fertility problems
- Infant colic and reflux
- PMT and other menstrual problems
- Sports performance
- RSI
- Strokes
Based on 18 reviews
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I have had four sessions of Bowen therapy with Micheal and I highly recommend his services I was sceptical of the therapy I have continuously suffered with sciatica and foot pain for years, after 4 sessions with Micheal the pain has almost gone away. This has been far more affective than physiotherapy or a chiropractic. Micheal talks you through each step in caring way. I highly recommend him.
I have recently finished a course of Bowen Therapy treatments with Michael.I have experienced great benefit and found the theory and the gentle application of the treatment so interesting.I feel a lot more grounded. My occupational - related aches and pains have eased and the treatment itself is a mindful and restful experience.Michael is kind, professional and calm and generously shares his other knowledge of nutrition and well-being. This empowers his clients to help themselves between treatments and beyond.Thank you Michael!
Michael has been fantastic. I got in touch with him in the hope he could help me with some long standing digestive issues and eczema. He is very easy to chat to, great at listening and provided an in-depth protocol tailored for me to follow. I have really valued his expertise and have been all the more delighted at the results I have experienced which have seen digestive issues clear up, and my eczema disappear. The support Michael provides through his package of consultations has helped me to tailor my diet and bring in lifestyle tips to reduce stress and better understand what I need to do to help myself going forward. I’m so grateful to Michael for his professional, wise and understanding approach and very much recommend him as an incredibly knowledgeable practitioner.
BLOWN.AWAY! For context, I've had upper back pain for over a decade. It started whilst I was in an extremely stressful job and there was generally a lot of trauma at that time in my life.As things improved, the pain subsided but as I went through another very challenging episode, it came back with a vengeance.I had numerous sessions of physiotherapy and was even put on setralin at one stage which is a mild antidepressant which relaxes the body. None of these did very much.Over time, my body got stuck in fight or flight.The slight bit of stress and it would immediately flare up resulting in debilitating headaches.They did an MRI scan and found nothing.It was all stress related from past events with my body going into fight or flight at the slightest bit of stress.I don't smoke, very rarely drink alcohol and have a very healthy diet and this was really weighing me down which led me to take painkillers regularly.Then, I had a Bowen session with Michael. It is literally like a miracle. It has completely rewired my nervous system!After the second session, my sense of smell was so heightened, my energy is off the charts and my mental clarity is mind blowing.I have 4 sessions booked in total and can't wait to find out what emerges next!If you suffer from chronic pain, you know what it's like to have the weight of pain in your body all the time. It leads your life!Michael is so kind, so genuinely caring and his practice is extremely professional.In this age of automation and where it feels difficult to find anyone you can trust, I highly recommend Michael!
Michael has helped me to overcome serious pain and discomfort using Bowen. He is a kind, gentle and very respectful practitioner with a great depth of knowledge. He has helped me to deepen my understanding of my body and what my body's needs are.
I had four sessions with Michael for an intractable shoulder problem. He gave very good advice and performed a very gentle and sensitive treatment regime. Don't hesitate, make a booking if you need this kind of therapy.
I started working with Michael back in October, and after three months feel that I have made some real progress in addressing my health issues. He has really helped me to navigate my way through making some significant dietary and lifestyle changes which I feel really positive about, after the NHS left me pretty high and dry after a worrying diagnosis with a “see you in a year” service. I plan to keep going with this as nothing is more important than one’s health and wellbeing. Thank you, Michael.UPDATE: Six months in now and a fibroscan has shown that I am now firmly back in the normal range for fibrosis with no evidence of scarring. It just shows that you CAN reverse liver damage with diet and lifestyle changes alone. I’ve also, on Michael’s recommendation, pursued a gluten-free diet and thanks to his instincts have uncovered an intolerance which was contributing to the ill health. I’d strongly recommend that anyone with an ailing liver to consult with him to see what can be done.
Michael has been a godsend. I value the appointments I have with him. He is very knowledgeable and wise. He helped me adjust my diet, and advised on what supplements to take to help with my awful IBS and Diverticulosis. I have to say there has been lots of positive changes with my conditions.I would 100% recommend Michael, for people who have run out of options, as I had.Well worth it.Thankyou so much Michael.
I went to michael with a myriad of issues. Michael thought that I had symptoms showing I was intolerant/allergic to dairy and gluten. He gave me tailor made program to follow removing those foods and replacing them with others better for me. He recommended lots of little natural remedies that I could make at home and take alongside the program. 2 months on and I haven't had acid reflux since I changed my diet and I am feeling really good with more energy. I am so surprised at the difference. I couldn't recommend michael any more if I tried. He has helped so much.
