Bowen Therapy
The Bowen Therapy is an alternative method of healing . It is used by its proponents for headaches , joint and back pain , muscle tension, sports injuries , carpal tunnel syndrome , asthma , bed wetting , heel spurs or toe pain , among other things .
The method is based on a series of movements performed in a certain way - mostly light rolling movements performed with the fingers. Target structures to which the so-called “Bowen Moves” are applied are mostly found on muscles, tendons, ligaments and fasciae . The stimulated points have nothing to do with traditional Chinese medicine ( acupuncture ) or other manual treatments.
The autodidact Thomas A. Bowen (1916–1982) developed the method in Australia in the 1950s . He assumed that the most tolerable therapy is that which supports the self-preservation and self-organization tendency that he believes is inherent in every organism. The aim of treatment in this sense is to improve the conditions for "self-healing" as much as possible. He called himself an osteopath . The terms "Bowen Therapy", "Bowen Technique" and the like were only coined after his death.
After his death, the first school was established in Australia in the mid-1980s ( Bowtech Ptr. Ltd. , Hamilton , owned by the married couple Oswald and Elaine Rentsch). In the course of time, other teaching institutions have emerged worldwide due to different interpretative approaches. There are several active in the German-speaking area whose graduates offer the method. Bowtech and Bowen are registered service marks .
The evidence of effectiveness published so far is limited to small series and individual reports that have not been published in recognized specialist journals. Proof of effectiveness in terms of evidence-based medicine has not yet been provided.
Individual evidence
Web links
- Lars Klaasen: Everything under the Bowtech handle. In: taz.de , November 5, 2005, accessed on March 31, 2018
