Bowen Therapy for Back Pain Relief

What is Bowen Therapy?

Bowen therapy is a gentle, holistic treatment that involves the therapist making small, rolling-type moves over the body’s soft tissues such as fascia, muscles, tendons and ligaments. The moves are made on specific points of the body that have far-reaching connections within the body.

The treatment includes breaks of 2 – 4 minutes where the therapist will leave the room so that the brain has time to process where it has been touched and assess whether it needs to take action. The action could be: relaxing tight muscles, improving blood flow, making changes to the alignment of the body and increasing lymphatic drainage. The aim of Bowen Therapy is to stimulate the body’s own healing response.

Whole body Treatment

A Bowen therapist will look at the whole body regardless of where the pain is because we recognises the relationship between different parts of the body. For example, someone presenting with back pain could have tight hamstrings that is causing their pain due to the direct continuity of the tissues from the hamstrings, around the sacrum and into the back.

My personal experience

The reason I first tried Bowen Therapy was for back pain. I had herniated a disc in my back and I was told it would take 12 weeks to recover. After the 12 weeks I was still in a lot of pain and taking a lot of medication which didn’t actually take the pain away. One of my legs wouldn’t move properly so I could only walk really slowly and I had sciatic pain running down the back of both my legs. I had been discharged from physio despite still being in so much pain and I had seen a chiropractor a few times but I didn’t feel like I was making any progress.

When I tried Bowen Therapy I was sceptical.  The treatment was so gentle and after the first week I was still in pain. However, during the second session I realised there had been some small changes such as pain scores for certain activities like walking up the stairs had come down by one or two marks. I continued with the treatments and gradually over the next 4 – 5 weeks I got better and better until the pain was minimal and my leg was moving properly again.

As Bowen Therapy is a holistic therapy, during the sessions we also talked about the importance of drinking enough water, eating more healthily and trying to do small exercises everyday within my comfort zone. When the body is in pain, the surrounding tissues tighten around the area to protect it but sometimes the body has trouble releasing them again. The Bowen Therapy and the gentle movements that I was doing everyday helped my body to release the tension and reduce my pain. I was so amazed by the results that I decided to train in Bowen Therapy to help others.

Common causes of back pain

A herniated disk is just one cause of back pain but there are many other causes.

Muscle strain

Muscle strain caused by overuse, poor posture or sudden movements can cause pain, muscle spasms and decreased range of motion.  Bowen can help to relieve pain by reducing tension and relaxing the muscles. It increases blood flow to the area and supports healing.

Fascial restrictions

Fascia is the connective tissue that covers and supports our bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and organs. Fascia should be flexible and move with the body, however it can become sticky and thickened which can cause stiffness, limited mobility and pain. Bowen Therapy gently works with the superficial fascia to improve blood flow, release the fascial tension and improve flexibility.

Nerve compression  

Sometimes nerves are compressed by the surrounding soft tissues which can cause pain, tingling or numbness. When the sciatic nerve is affected we call this sciatica which is pain or tingling down the back of the leg. Bowen Therapy can help alleviate soft tissue pressure on the nerve which can improve symptoms.

Spinal misalignment 

Spinal misalignment occurs when part of the spine is out of normal position. It can be caused by a number of factors such as injury or degenerative disease. Symptoms include back pain, headaches, tingling and numbness and respiratory problems caused by poor posture which can affect the space in the lungs.  Bowen’s gentle moves target tight muscles and their attachments to the skeletal system. By relaxing the surrounding tissues it can provide some relief of these symptoms and give the body the opportunity to become more aligned.

Stress and tension

Although this cause of back pain is often overlooked, psychological stress can manifest physically as tension in back. The gentle and relaxing nature of Bowen Therapy can relax tight muscles, decrease tension and improve pain.

Self Help

·         When we are in pain we may not feel like moving or we may worry that we will make the problem worse. However backs are strong and robust and designed for movement. Staying as active as possible is very important and should help the pain in the long-run. Try gentle movements and stretches within your comfort zone. The NHS website has some suggestions.

·         Taking over the counter pain medication can help manage your pain while you recover. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about what would be best for you.

·         Use a hot or cold compress packs for short-term relief.

·         Meditation can help calm the nervous system and help reduce pain. There are many YouTube videos for free. Find one you like and try this on a regular basis or when your pain is at its worst.

·         Our thoughts and feelings can have a powerful effect on our pain levels. Try to stay positive. “Every day may not be good but there is something good in every day.” Alice Morse Earle

·         Set yourself small, achievable goals to work towards and celebrate when you achieve them.  

·         Drink at least 2 litres of water a day to keep your muscles and fascia hydrated and moving properly.  

Final Words

Bowen therapy can aid muscle relaxation, assist in realignment, improve mobility, promote pain relief and reduce inflammation. It is gentle with no forceful manipulations or needles. It is suitable for all ages. Bowen is a great option for people suffering with back pain.

This is not a substitute for medical advice. Results vary from person to person.