Before the session
Before the first appointment I will send a link to a confidential online form with questions to establish a comprehensive history of your health. Alternatively you can also fill out a hard copy when at the appointment if you prefer. When you arrive we will discuss further your health and the reason for your visit. I will answer any of your questions and address any concerns, and explain what the treatment will involve.
What to expect
Treatments take approximately 1 hour. You will never be asked to remove underwear and you will be covered by towels throughout. The Bowen moves can be done through light clothing or directly onto the skin. Some moves are difficult to apply through heavy material such as denim, or through thick winter clothes. Therefore you might be asked to remove these or bring something lightweight to change into. Usually the client will lay on a comfortable massage table, and if this is not possible for mobility reasons treatment can be carried out whilst the client is seated. Young children or babies may be treated on their parents lap.
During the session
There will be rest periods of 2 minutes or more between sets of moves. This is a feature of Bowen. It allows the body and brain to interpret the moves and to respond in the optimal way. The sets of moves are the trigger, and the break is when the body is doing to the work of repair.
It is quite common for clients to fall asleep during the treatment due to its profound relaxing effects.
Your comfort and needs are my priority and all treatments will be specifically tailored to deal with your symptoms.
End of the session
After the treatment, the client will sit up and have a drink of water and we will review together the work done. I will give feedback on how the body felt throughout the treatment including notable areas of tension and restriction. I will also ask for any feedback from the client to ascertain if there were any responses I should be aware of and to see how they are feeling. We will discuss what may be needed for the next treatment. I may also suggest simple exercises that can be easily done at home to help the body to rebalance itself.
After the Session
Your response to Bowen
There is no definitive standard response to Bowen Therapy as each individual is different and will respond in different ways, and you may also respond differently to different procedures. However many people find a Bowen Therapy treatment instills a deep sense of calm and relaxation. After treatment you may feel light headed at first, and a little groggy. This is because Bowen Therapy shifts your body in the parasympathetic state – the rest, digest, relax, sleep and repair state, where most of our healing occurs.
Possible reactions
You may feel stiff and achy after the treatment for a couple of days. This is normal and is the body trying to correct itself. You may feel more tired than normal and sleep more deeply. As Bowen works on the physical, emotional, and mental levels some people have an emotional response to the treatment. All of this is normal and will pass.
Do’s and Don’ts
You are advised not to sit for more than half an hour at a time, and to get up for short walks away from your desk or chair to allow for circulation of blood and lymphatics. You are also advised to drink plenty of water, and to get a good nights sleep. The day after treatment it’s good to schedule an easy day or rest day from exercise if you are an active sports person, however walking is beneficial and recommended. You may also have been given some exercises to practise.
There are a few things to avoid which will disrupt the healing process. These include sitting with legs crossed, hot/cold packs, electric blanket, Deep Heat rubs, long hot baths, and hot, hard showers. You are also advised not to mix Bowen Therapy with other therapies for at least 7 days before and after treatment. This is very important. It has been shown that the body can still be responding to a treatment session for up to 10 days afterwards. If you wish to have a massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic or osteopathic treatment, reflexology or any other form of hands on or manual therapy, then please wait until you have finished your Bowen treatments, and leave at least a minimum of two weeks from your last Bowen Therapy session before embarking on something else. Of course prescribed medication must be taken as per normal and as directed by your doctor.
Number of sessions
Pilates or yoga exercise can be very beneficial in helping the body to rebalance following a course of Bowen Therapy.
Observing the above as much as possible will help Bowen Therapy to be effective.
A full aftercare sheet will be provided after treatment.
It’s not uncommon to feel a difference in your wellbeing after the first treatment but depending on your condition the therapist would normally recommend at least three treatments, possibly more if you have a chronic condition. Treatments should be scheduled preferably 5 to 10 days apart. There are, of course, exceptions when you can be treated more than once a week, i.e. re-injury, surgery, immobility, pregnancy, terminal illness and brain damage especially stroke victims. Please don’t forget the benefits of treating relatives and carers!