Bowen Pain Management

06/06/2025

From Aug 8, 2024 IASP World Congress on Pain

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Bowen Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia
7 August 2024

Background & Aims
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain condition, featuring widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problem, that impairs patients’ quality of life. Studies suggested that with chronic inflammation of fascia and dysfunctional healing response, nociceptors were sensitized to cause pain, and leading to dysfunction of the nervous system and central sensitization in FMS.1-4
Since fascia is interdependent and interacting with the nervous system and other body systems,5 by breaking up excessive collagen adhesions through soft-tissue and myofascial release techniques may change myofascial fibrosis.6 Bowen Therapy is a manual therapy that uses the sequences of gentle cross-fiber moves over muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia to stimulate the flow of blood and lymph, and thus activates the body’s healing mechanisms. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to determine the effectiveness of Bowen Therapy in pain control, functional enhancement and quality of life for FMS.

Methods
This was a single-blinded RCT (NCT04554784) at pain clinics in Hong Kong. 80 patients diagnosed with FMS were randomized into Bowen therapy (BT) or Control group (CT) from 15/9/2020 to 22/12/2023. Subjects in BT group received 8 sessions of ISBT-Bowen Therapy, performed by the occupational therapist, over a 12-week period while those in CT group continued their usual conventional treatment. Primary outcome was change in pain score (by Numeric Rating Scale) over the study period. Other secondary outcomes included endurance strength test of upper and lower extremities, and wellness of the patients measured by SF-36 (quality of life), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (psychological distress), Brief Pain Inventory (activity interference) and Jenkins Sleep Questionnaire (sleep disturbance). All outcomes were collected before and after treatment, and 12 weeks after treatment. Generalized estimating equation model was used to compare the changes of outcomes over the 3 time points.

Results
78 patients (40 in BT group; 38 in CT group) completed the study and subsequent follow-ups. The median (IQR) age was 58 (50-62) years. 68 patients (87%) were female. Baseline demographic data were similar between two groups, except for the total number of specialties seen (p=0.04). There was no significant difference in the changes of pain over time between two groups (Group*Time p=0.50). However, Bowen Therapy may improve the endurance of lower extremities and dominant arm (Group*Time p

ary punctate or pressure hyperalgesia, aftersensations, and enhanced temporal summation. It can be readily and rapidly elicited in human volunteers by diverse experimental noxious conditioning stimuli to skin, muscles or viscera, and in addition to producing pain hypersensitivity, results in seconda...

02/10/2025

Valentines is coming up quick. Are you ready??

02/09/2025

February is CTE awareness month. What is CTE?

CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that can develop after repeated concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. It's a serious condition that can lead to dementia and death.

Many people, became aware of CTE caused in sports thanks to the movie
Concussion – A true story, starring Will Smith, that tells the tale of what happened to Dr. Bennet Omalu, a courageous Nigerian-born pathologist who tried to bring the issue of brain damage (CTE) in retired NFL players to the forefront.

Concussions are a major concern because most people don’t let the brain fully heal. You see the brain has no pain receptors. Pain comes from the meninges or sac that encases the brain and the surrounding structures like blood vessels which is why headaches can occur. So after having a concussion, once the pain is gone, we figure we are good to carry on as before. But we likely are not ok and the actual brain (non feeling part) is still healing.

Each concussion can further disrupt brain function and slow down recovery, potentially causing cumulative long-term effects. Repeated concussions can significantly impair brain function by causing damage to brain tissue, leading to issues with memory, concentration, processing speed, decision-making, mood regulation, personality changes and potentially increasing the risk of developing CTE.

Bowen therapy’s unique technique targets various structures within the body simultaneously, offering a multidimensional approach to healing. Its effects extend beyond simply relaxing tight muscles and increasing fascial hydration. Numerous studies have showen that clients who have had Bowen post concussion report sigificant improvement in migranes and neck pain in just a couple of treatments.

09/24/2024

Good morning. I am eager to apply the knowledge and techniques acquired at Graham Pennington's Importance of Symmetry workshop, which has enhanced my understanding of assessment tools for Bowen. With these new tools I expect to be able to shorten the time clients spend on the table to approximately 30 min and yet more efficiently target dysfunction.

Clients are already booking into the second and third week of October so I encourage you to schedule three appointments, each 5 to 7 days apart to get full benefit of this technique. Again if you don't need them they are cancellable at no charge. It just holds your place to ensure an uninterrupted treatment plan.

If you need weekend appointments, please text me and we will schedule times suitable.

Have a wonderful day and I look forward to seeing you soon.

08/28/2024

Here is a lovely video from the last person who trained with Tom Bowen. Very interesting. I can't imagine putting 14 people thru in an hour.

This presentation describes and documents the 3 years that Dr Kevin Ryan spent learning from and working with Tom Bowen from 1979 until Tom's death in Octobe...

05/11/2024

Repaint, deep clean, and floors redone as part of kitchen renovation. To top it off, a new hydraulic bed for added mobility and comfort.

03/01/2024

This is a really good video on how the Bowen move affects the fascia.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/w9Y6sEX9TiexqRmE/?mibextid=oFDknk

This video aims to create greater interest in Bowen Therapy`s role in maintaining healthy fascia.

11/03/2023

I have recently completed another six days of training. The courses were on Pelvic and Lumbar Spine and Upper Neck and Torso.

The results have been amazing and its changing the way I work. More accurate assessment is targeting primary issues faster and the work is resolving issues much more quickly. Clients are definitely noticing the difference.

I invite you to come and check it out.

Don’t forget, I have gift certificates available if anyone is looking to give the gift of health to a loved one this year for Christmas.

04/18/2023

FREE MOTHERS DAY GIFT

Mother's Day is just around the corner. In honour, I would like to offer free scar tissue release (MSTR) to any mom who has had a c section.

Why is a c section scar a big deal?

1. Tissue holds memory. Traumatic events like c sections can hold emotions which may be negatively affecting you. Emotional releases are common.

2. People are funny about scars. Some people have never touched their scar.

3. The c section scar cuts thru energy meridians and can be very disruptive to energy patterns in the body further contributing to dis-ease.

4. Some people feel disconnected to their body below the scar

5. C section scars are often related to lower back pain

6. Scar can be sore, itchy, lumpy, numb in spots, restrict movement, or be wrinkly. Scar tissue release makes the scar softer and more often than not, restores feeling and improves movement.

The scar tissue release technique is short in duration and very comfortable using fingertip pressure to tolerance of the client.

If you know of anyone who has had a c section, regardless of how old it is, please pass on this post and have them dm or call me.

Carol
519-381-1227