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Bowen and the Menopause
What is Bowen?
THE BOWEN TECHNIQUE is a remedial and holistic form of ‘hands-on’ bodywork, which is gentle and effective. It is a non-invasive, non-diagnostic therapy that is gentle and very effective. The treatment aims to balance the whole person.
The Bowen Technique was pioneered by Thomas Ambrose Bowen, born in Geelong, Australia in 1916. By the time he was in his early 40's, he had established a full time practice in remedial therapy, using the technique he had developed.
The practitioner uses thumbs and fingers to make a series of precise, rolling-type moves over muscles, tendons and ligaments at specific sites on the body. These moves aim to promote healing, give pain relief and improve energy levels within the body.
The technique does not involve osteopathy type manipulations and is not a form of massage and can be performed with the client stripped to underwear (preferably) or through light clothing. The experience of a treatment is gentle, subtle and relaxing.
People who receive the therapy are amazed that a treatment, which feels so gentle, can be so effective. Nevertheless the technique works and is safe for people of all ages.
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Overall, the treatment helps to rebalance the body, relieve tension and reduce pain.
How does it work?
The Bowen technique is a treatment that sets the body up to heal itself. The rolling Bowen moves over soft tissue, tendons and muscle, encourage re-balancing and re-alignment of the body.
These careful moves are interspaced with short breaks, which prompts the body to reset imbalances, relieve tension and reduce pain. This enables the skeleton to realign.
The client has the opportunity to relax while the treatment is taking place. One unusual feature of the technique is the short gaps during the treatment, when the practitioner leaves the client to rest. For people having the therapy for the first time, this is often considered strange but is an important part of the technique, allowing the body to rest and absorb the effects of the moves.
Apart from the initial improvement achieved during the therapy session, the self-healing process continues for several days following the treatment, with improved working of the circulation, lymphatics and muscle condition.
How can Bowen help with Menopause?
The Bowen therapy is very helpful in reducing the symptoms experienced during both the perimenopausal (pre-) and post-menopausal stages of life.
Menopausal symptoms usually occur in women between 45 and 55 years of age, when menstruation ceases permanently. Changing levels of the female hormone oestrogen can result in hot flushes, palpitations, depression, mood swings, memory problems and poor libido.
The treatment is good for helping the body to adjust to the changing hormonal levels and provides lymphatic drainage, assisting in the removal of the toxins.
Bowen is especially good for relieving constipation, bloating and breast tenderness: all symptoms of the menopause.
Clients also use the Bowen technique as a means of stress management health maintenance.
How long does the treatment last?
The treatment takes approximately 45 minutes and most of the work can be performed through light clothing (or directly on the skin).
Three to five successive treatments, at weekly intervals are often sufficient to achieve lasting relief, although further treatments may be required. |
