The Bowen Technique
For the good of the horse and the rider!
By Krystyna Monks
The Bowen Technique is a very gentle yet extremely effective muscle relief therapy which is widely used to treat many conditions in people, horses and dogs.
My introduction to Bowen came through my husband Jim, a veteran of two back operations. A friend at my livery yard suggested he saw a Bowen therapist and although after his first treatment he did not appear to notice any immediate relief (and was therefore convinced that it was a waste of time!), it became apparent over subsequent days that indeed, his pain was disappearing. Suitably impressed I decided to have a treatment myself, and then I decided to offer my horse a treatment as well. Merlot had always resisted any other remedial therapy work such as physiotherapy and needed to be sedated just for the therapist to get near him; with Bowen, he just totally relaxed and the effect on his performance was remarkable.
So how does Bowen work?
First of all, Bowen is NOT massage and there is no manipulation or adjustment of hard tissue. Bowen works on fascia and connective tissue and therapists use fingers and thumbs in a gentle rolling action over tendons, muscles and ligaments. Fascia is a very thin membrane (you can often see this on a joint of meat) which acts like cling film around the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the body, offering protection and support. Following injury or trauma, it tightens around the affected area - in effect, forming a ‘splint’ around the injury or trauma allowing it to repair and heal.
In theory, this is an excellent defence mechanism, but this ‘splint’ can also cause tension and strain on other parts of the body as the body compensates for this realignment. Over a period of time, the extra strain and wear and tear this places on the rest of the body can often cause more problems, as the body and whole skeletal frame becomes misaligned. Very often too, once the body has learnt to cope in this way, the muscles ‘short circuit’ and either ‘forget’ or are unable to return to normal without some ‘encouragement’ – and this is where the gentle power of Bowen encourages the muscles to relax and realign themselves.
Although a Bowen therapist will never diagnose a problem (we leave this to doctors and vets!) part of our job is to try and identify the cause of any discomfort and not just treat any obvious trauma site. Bowen treats the whole body, giving the body the greatest chance to sort itself out without any enforced manipulation or interference; and because the change is not forced on the body, then the effect of the treatment is likely to be long lasting. Bowen truly is an ‘holistic’ therapy, working on all of the systems of the body – circulatory, respiratory, lymphatic, digestive and the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and the list of human ailments it can help with, in a very gentle manner include:
Back ache, Migraine, Whiplash, Neck and shoulder pain, Tennis elbow, Hayfever, Asthma, Fibromyalgia, Sports injuries
For horse riders, the simple effect of taking tension out of their own bodies can transform their riding, let alone their everyday lives. Pain can be extremely debilitating and affects everything we do, even just sitting watching television.
In horses, Bowen can help with any muscular related problem, slipping rugs and saddles, uneven action, tension and tightness in the back and general loss of performance.
What Bowen Is Not
Bowen is not a miracle cure! If someone has had a problem for some time, then it is unlikely that the issue will be resolved in just one treatment – but there again, neither would it be with just one visit to an osteopath or chiropractor. The key to resolving a long term issue is to have two or three treatments, seven to ten days apart. If at that stage you have seen no improvement or change whatsoever, then it is likely that Bowen is not the therapy for you.
The ‘healing and repair’ time following a Bowen treatment can be anything from a few hours to four to five days – so impatient people like my husband often do not recognise that the therapy has actually worked for them. However, I will leave you with the thought that my husband has not been to an osteopath since his introduction to Bowen and that he is now my greatest advocate!
For more information about Bowen for either people or horses please email or call:
London and the South East
Krystyna Monks
07850 157435
www.equinebowentherapies.co.uk
The Midlands and North
Leanne Wrentmore
Equine Bowen Therapist
www.naturalhorsesolutions.co.uk
01572 720016/ 07974 202004
• Please note that Bowen therapy should not replace any medical or veterinary advice or help and all registered Bowen therapists will ask that you obtain your vet’s permission before treating your horse.
