Bowen Therapist - Inner Release

20/10/2025

The body is connected in many ways.

Your jaw controls your pelvis - here’s how:

When your jaw clenches, your pelvis compensates.

The cascade:
1️.Jaw imbalance pulls your head forward
2️.Your neck muscles tighten to stabilize
3️.Your spine compensates by shifting
4️.Your pelvis tilts to maintain balance
5️.One-sided back pain, hip tightness, or SI joint dysfunction appears

Why this happens:
1.Your jaw connects to deep neck muscles that attach directly to your spine.

2.When jaw muscles stay tight, they create a chain of compensations that travel downward.

3.Your brain tries to keep you balanced, so when your head shifts forward from jaw tension, your pelvis shifts backward.

👉🏽This is why jaw clenchers often have chronic lower back issues that don’t respond long term to hip stretches or core work.

The pattern: Stressed → Clench jaw → Head forward → Pelvis compensates → Chronic pain

Most people treat the pelvis or lower back. But the trigger is higher up - in the jaw.

Fix the jaw tension, and the pelvic compensation often releases automatically.

18/10/2025

Bowen therapy can assist tension on the body.

Chronic tension isn’t always about physical strain — it can be a learned state of the nervous system.

Your body adapts to stress, posture, and daily habits, sometimes holding onto patterns longer than needed.

Becoming aware of these patterns is the first step toward change.

Bowen Therapy engages with the nervous system in a gentle way, offering an opportunity for the body to respond, as best it can.

23/09/2025

The importance of the Vagus Nerve good read.

Meet your vagus nerve — our body’s great communicator.

It connects our brain to our heart, lungs, gut, and more — helping regulate mood, digestion, heart rate, breathing, and even our voice.

This incredible “wandering nerve” is part of our parasympathetic nervous system — the part that supports rest, repair, and balance.

Bowen Therapy invites moments of stillness that can help our nervous system shift out of stress mode and into a state of calm, as best it's able — creating space for our body to do what it does best.

📸 Polyvagal Institute

27/08/2025

We are well engineered the details in this picture amazing how everything is connected.

The cranial nerves — a delicate network connecting brain and body.

In Bowen Therapy, we always keep the nervous system in mind.

📸 Peter M Lawrence

22/08/2025

Good explanation of what we do.

12/08/2025

With Bowen Association of Australia – I'm on a streak! I've made it onto their weekly engagement list 4 weeks in a row. 🎉

12/08/2025

Love this post it’s what we do help recovery ❤️‍🩹

This gentle bodywork follows a calm, intentional rhythm — from settling in to quiet pauses and check-ins.

Every step is designed to support your body’s natural ability to settle and respond, in its own time.

Rebooking is always your choice — there’s no pressure, just support.

11/08/2025

You don’t know what you don’t know. Information is knowledge!

🦷 The Link Between Oral Health, Rotten Teeth, and the Lymphatic System

1. Overview

The mouth is one of the most bacteria-rich environments in the body, home to over 700 species of microbes. While many are harmless, poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, or gum disease can lead to chronic bacterial load and low-grade infection. The lymphatic system plays a critical role in managing this microbial traffic, filtering pathogens and inflammatory byproducts before they spread systemically.

2. How Oral Infections Affect the Lymphatic System

A. Direct Drainage Pathways
• The lymphatic vessels in the teeth, gums, and oral mucosa drain into the submandibular, submental, and cervical lymph nodes.
• In the presence of decay, abscess, or gum disease, these nodes become overloaded, filtering higher concentrations of bacteria, toxins, and necrotic tissue debris.
• Persistent overload can cause lymph node swelling, tenderness, and chronic inflammation in the neck and jaw area.

B. Immune System Burden
• Chronic dental infections release bacterial toxins (endotoxins) into lymph fluid.
• Lymph nodes initiate an immune response, activating lymphocytes and macrophages, but prolonged exposure leads to immune fatigue, reducing the system’s ability to respond to new threats.

C. Systemic Lymphatic Congestion
• Ongoing oral infection increases inflammatory cytokines in the lymph and blood.
• These can impair lymphatic vessel contractility, slowing fluid movement and contributing to whole-body lymphatic congestion.

3. The Brain–Lymph–Mouth Connection

The head and neck lymphatics also connect to the glymphatic system (the brain’s waste clearance pathway).
• Chronic oral infections increase neuroinflammatory risk by introducing inflammatory molecules that can pass through lymphatic–venous junctions into systemic circulation.
• Research links periodontal disease to higher risks of Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease — all conditions influenced by lymphatic-vascular interactions.

4. Symptoms of Lymphatic Involvement in Dental Issues
• Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or in the neck
• Facial puffiness or localized swelling along the jawline
• Chronic sinus congestion (as sinus lymphatics drain into cervical nodes)
• Fatigue and malaise (immune activation uses significant energy)
• Slow recovery from other illnesses due to ongoing immune burden

5. Potential Long-Term Effects

If untreated, chronic oral infections can:
• Spread to deep cervical lymph nodes and into the thoracic duct, potentially seeding bacteria to other organs.
• Contribute to systemic inflammation, which has been linked to autoimmune flare-ups, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders.
• Cause secondary lymphatic dysfunction, where lymph vessels themselves become inflamed (lymphangitis).

6. Supporting Lymphatic Health in Dental Care

A. Prevention & Early Intervention
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene — brushing, flossing, tongue scraping.
• Address cavities, gum disease, or abscesses promptly.
• Use antibacterial mouth rinses if recommended by a dentist.

B. Lymphatic Support
• Gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) for head and neck to reduce congestion.
• Hydration to keep lymph fluid less viscous.
• Anti-inflammatory diet rich in polyphenols (berries, green tea) to lower systemic inflammation.
• Avoid smoking — it slows both oral healing and lymphatic vessel function.

C. Post-Dental Procedure Care
• MLD can help reduce post-treatment swelling.
• Support immune function with rest, nutrition, and possibly zinc/vitamin C supplementation (as advised by a professional).

7. Clinical Summary

Rotten or infected teeth do not remain a “local” problem — the lymphatic system immediately becomes involved, filtering and responding to the ongoing bacterial and inflammatory load. Chronic oral infection can overwhelm lymph nodes, impair lymph flow, and contribute to systemic inflammation, placing stress on multiple organ systems.

Managing oral health is therefore a critical — and often overlooked — step in maintaining lymphatic wellness.

09/08/2025

Look at the connections

💢 Understanding Noncardiac Chest Pain Through the Myofascial Continuum

Not all chest pain is heart-related. In fact, up to 70% of chest pain seen in clinics and ERs is noncardiac chest pain (NCCP)—often mimicking angina but without signs of heart disease.

While reflux and GI causes are well-known, myofascial sources are frequently overlooked. The fascia–muscle network of the upper body can create pain patterns that feel cardiac in nature, leading to unnecessary tests, anxiety, and missed therapeutic opportunities.

🔍 Key Myofascial Insights:

Fascial Chains connect neck, chest, shoulders, and arms—allowing trigger points in one area (e.g., scalenes, pectoralis minor) to refer pain to the chest, back, arm, or jaw.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome in muscles like the pectoralis major/minor, scalenes, trapezius, or even jaw muscles can closely mimic heart-related pain.

Careful palpation and assessment can distinguish musculoskeletal pain from visceral sources.

📌 Therapist Takeaway:
When cardiac causes are ruled out, investigate the myofascial continuum. Manual therapy, stretching, and trigger point release can resolve long-standing chest pain that’s been misattributed to the heart.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ca.70004

06/08/2025

For many people in the workforce that sit all day this is an ongoing issue. Bowen can help release that pain.

Tension isn’t always caused by what we think.

It’s not always about sore muscles or poor posture — sometimes, chronic tension can reflect a nervous system stuck in “go mode.”

When your body doesn’t feel safe enough to relax, it can hold on to patterns long past their use.

Bowen Therapy works with the nervous system in a gentle way — using minimal input, space, and stillness to invite a shift.

Sometimes, less really can be more.

This post is for general information only. Please seek professional advice for persistent pain or health concerns.

06/08/2025

https://events.humanitix.com/5th-bowen-association-of-australia-international-conference

This is going to be an amazing conference at the birth place of Bowen Therapy. Come and see where Tom Bowen started it all.

From Roots to Renewal: Shaping the Future of Bowen Therapy - 5th Bowen Association of Australia International Conference - Geelong 1-5 May 2026

03/08/2025

Important body function draining.

🌿 Your Armpit Lymph Nodes: The Unsung Heroes of Upper Body Detox 🌿
💚 A Medical & Lymphatic Breakdown of the Axillary Region

Tucked quietly in your underarms are 20–40 powerful lymph nodes — clinically referred to as the axillary lymph nodes — forming one of the body’s most critical immune surveillance and drainage hubs.

They filter up to 75% of lymphatic fluid from the breast, the entire arm, and portions of the thoracic wall, shoulder, neck, and upper back — making them central to immune function, hormonal regulation, and detoxification.

🔬 Anatomy & Classification: The 5 Axillary Lymph Node Groups
1. Pectoral (Anterior) Nodes
• Location: Along the lateral edge of the pectoralis minor muscle
• Drains: The anterior thoracic wall, upper abdomen, and a significant portion of the breast
• Clinical Relevance: Often the first site of spread in breast cancer metastasis
2. Subscapular (Posterior) Nodes
• Location: Posterior axillary fold near the subscapular vessels
• Drains: Posterior thoracic wall, scapular region
• Key Role: Supports drainage from the back and shoulder girdle
3. Humeral (Lateral) Nodes
• Location: Medial aspect of the humerus (near the axillary vein)
• Drains: Most of the upper limb (excluding lymph from hand and fingers, which may also partially drain into supratrochlear nodes)
• Commonly affected in: Infections of the hand or cellulitis
4. Central Nodes
• Location: Embedded in axillary fat, centrally located
• Receive input from: Pectoral, subscapular, and humeral groups
• Important in: Detecting generalized upper body inflammation or fluid backup
5. Apical Nodes
• Location: Apex of the axilla near the first rib and clavicle
• Drain into: The subclavian lymphatic trunk, then the right lymphatic duct (right side) or thoracic duct (left side), before lymph enters systemic circulation via the venous angle (junction of subclavian and internal jugular veins)

🩺 What Happens When These Nodes Are Overwhelmed?
When axillary lymph nodes become congested or inflamed, they may swell (lymphadenopathy) or fail to efficiently clear lymph. This can result in:

• Regional Lymphatic Edema – Puffiness of the breast, chest wall, or arms
• Axillary Nerve Compression – Causing tingling, weakness, or discomfort in the arm
• Toxin Accumulation – Due to impaired filtering of bacteria, viruses, metabolic waste, and xenobiotics
• Increased Risk for Infection – Lymph stagnation = immune dysfunction
• Poor Wound Healing – Especially in post-surgical recovery or trauma

📍 Where the Lymph Flows: Axillary Drainage Pathways
• From Upper Limb → Humeral Nodes → Central → Apical
• From Breast & Chest → Pectoral Nodes → Central → Apical
• From Back & Shoulder → Subscapular Nodes → Central → Apical
• From All Axillary Groups → Apical Nodes → Subclavian Trunk → Venous Circulation

Remember: 90% of lymphatic fluid from the left upper body drains via the thoracic duct, while the right side drains via the right lymphatic duct. These ducts empty into your bloodstream at the venous angles of the neck.

⚠️ Clinical Signs of Axillary Node Dysfunction or Swelling:
• Palpable, tender lump in the armpit (may feel rubbery or firm)
• Aching or dragging sensation down the arm or breast
• Heaviness, burning, or altered sensation in the upper limb
• Limited range of motion in the shoulder joint
• Skin dimpling or tightness over the breast or chest wall
• Unilateral swelling or puffiness of the hands or arms
• Increased sweat gland activity due to detox congestion

🌸 Therapist’s Tip: How to Support Your Axillary Nodes Gently
✔️ Manual Lymphatic Drainage — focus on proximal to distal drainage
✔️ Axillary pumping (arm above head + deep breathing)
✔️ Castor oil wraps over pectoral region (never during active infection)
✔️ FIR sauna to stimulate lymphatic soft tissue detox
✔️ Movement! Walking, shoulder rolls, and wall angels activate natural drainage
✔️ Hydration + electrolytes = optimal lymph viscosity

💚 Your axilla is not just a fold — it’s a filter, a gatekeeper, and a lifeline for your upper body’s healing potential.
If you’ve ever experienced swelling, sensitivity, or soreness in this area… your lymph is asking for support.