What To Expect During Your Bowen Treatment

If you are coming for your first Bowen session I will ask you to complete a form with your contact details and information about the condition for which you are seeking treatment.  I will probably ask further questions to clarify my understanding of how you are feeling, and together we will explore the outcomes you are hoping for.

Whilst I prefer to work on bare skin, Bowen can be performed through loose fitting, light cotton clothing.  Please consider what you wer to the Bowen session so that you are comfortable and the moves can be performed effectively.  Blankets will be provided for warmth, privacy and comfort.

It is important throughout your Bowen session that you take responsibility for your comfort.  It is important that you are relaxed for the treatment, and if you are uncomfortable you will probably not be relaxed.  Please let the therapist know if you are uncomfortable, too hot or too cold.  Cushions may give relief from pain and discomfort, and the airconditioning may be adjusted for your comfort.

You will be asked to begin the Bowen session lying face down on a massage table with your feet hanging over the end of the table.  You may like a pillow for your head, and perhaps a pillow under your ankles will release some pressure that may cause lower back pain when lying on your tummy.  If you think you will be too uncomfortable lying face down on a massage table you may have the option of
sitting on a chair.

The Bowen treatment will involve a few moves being performed at particular points on your body at a time, interspersed with 2
minute “waits” where the Bowen therapist will leave the room.  The moves will instigate waves in the connective tissue.  The “waits” allow the body to integrate and respond to the moves. 

As the Bowen therapist comes and goes from the room they will not engage you in conversation.  This is not because they don’t want to talk with you, or because they are rude.  It is because you are meant to be relaxed, allowing your body to start to heal, and the less outside stimulation your body receives the better.  You are welcome to talk, ask questions, and indicate if you are uncomfortable and what you are feeling.  It is best to contain your conversation to what is currently happening for you in the Bowen treatment at the time.

Certain moves require the therapist to lift your foot or leg.  It would assist if you do not help them with this.  The therapist is meant
to be doing the work, and you are meant to be relaxing. 

The Bowen therapist will give you directions for some of the moves.  Sometimes you will be required to take a deep breath in, breathe all the way out, and not breathe until the move has been performed.  At other times you will be asked to turn your head to face the other direction.  And at some point during the session you will turn over onto your back.

The body’s connective tissue, as the name suggests, is interconnected throughout the whole body.  The Bowen moves initiate waves that travel throughout the body’s connective tissue.  The waves will be interrupted by points of trauma or friction,
sometimes in a totally different area of the body than was being addressed by the Bowen therapist.  It is quite normal at this point for you to feel a sensation, perhaps stinging, cold, heat, buzzing, or tingling.  It is important that you tell the Bowen therapist of these sensations as the point at which these sensations occur will provide important information for the rest of the session.  It is also important for the treatment not to continue until the reactive sensation has subsided.  Once the feeling has gone the body will be ready for the next set of moves.

Some Bowen treatments seem to go slowly, and some flow quite quickly.  Be assured that whatever happens will be the most beneficial for your body to heal.  The information you give about your sensations and feelings will give clues to the Bowen therapist about what should be done.  A Bowen treatment with not much discussion before and after will normally take about an hour.  For initial consultations and other discussions I recommend leaving an hour and a half.  If we have the luxury of taking our time, an open-ended appointment may be an option for you.

You will be very relaxed at the end of your Bowen treatment.  Please allow your Bowen therapist to assist you to sit up so you do not put pressure on your muscles so soon after the treatment has ended.  You may feel dizzy or light-headed when you sit up.  Please inform your Bowen therapist if this is the case and just sit still for a while, or ask to lie down again if necessary.  You will be offered a glass of water, and this often helps clear the feeling.  I recommend you drink the water slowly, as this will assist in keeping your body hydrated and with clearing toxins. 
It is important that you do not get off the massage table while you are still feeling light-headed.  As you get down from the massage table please try to place both feet on the ground at the same time if possible.  Take your time getting dressed.

Enjoy the relaxed feeling that your Bowen treatment will leave you with, and know that your healing has just begun, and will continue for five to ten days.  Notice the benefits during this period to share with your Bowen therapist on your next visit.

To support your body to make the most of your Bowen Treatment, read What To Do After Your Bowen Treatment.