Bowen therapy, also known as Bowen technique or Bowenwork, is an alternative type of physical manipulation that works on the soft connective tissue (fascia) of the body. It involves sequences of small moves, each at a specific site on the body, and can be done through light clothing. The technique was named after Australian Thomas Ambrose Bowen, who had no formal medical training and described his approach as a "gift from God". Bowen did not document his technique, so its practice after his death has followed one or other differing interpretation of his work. The technique goes by a wide variety of other names, including Smart Bowen, Fascial Kinetics, and Integrated Bowen Therapy.
Bowen therapy is used to treat musculoskeletal or related neurological problems, including acute sports injuries and chronic or organic conditions. It is gentle and relaxing and does not use forceful manipulation. The Bowen technique is safe to use on anyone, from newborns to the elderly, and aims to treat the cause of problems, rather than the symptoms. Some people use Bowen therapy to help with respiratory conditions like asthma, gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer treatment. However, to date, there is limited scientific proof that Bowen therapy works, and the treatment hasnt been widely researched.
