Bowen and Craniosacral Therapy

Bowen Technique is a gentle, relaxing hands-on treatment, suitable for adults, children, including newborn babies, and the elderly.

A Bowen practitioner uses thumbs or fingers to make precise, rolling-type movements over muscle. During a Bowen treatment, the client will be left resting for short breaks to allow their body to respond, before continuing. The body is given time to make subtle adjustments which helps re-balance, relieve tension and reduce any pain.

The technique can be performed through light clothing, or directly onto the skin.

Normally an appointment takes about 45 minutes, and four to five treatments, at roughly weekly intervals are often sufficient to achieve lasting relief. In some cases further treatment may be required. It is normally recommended that other physical therapies, such as massage or reflexology, not be undertaken whilst having Bowen Technique treatment.

There are many conditions that may respond to Bowen Technique, including:

  • Back and neck pain/sciatica
  • Frozen shoulder/tennis elbow
  • Sports injuries – chronic and acute
  • Joint pain and muscle spasm
  • Pain management
  • Acute and chronic fatigue
  • Asthma, hayfever and bronchial complaints
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Digestive Problems
  • Infant Colic
  • PMT

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy is a therapeutic approach that utilises the bones of the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, and the spinal column, which extends down to the sacrum. Membranes enclosing a hydraulic system connect the system.

An imbalance in the system can adversely affect the brain and spinal cord, which can result in sensory, motor and intellectual dysfunction. Additionally, an additional approach that has been developed is the view that emotional issues can be addressed by craniosacral bodywork, which can have profound effects on physical health.

The craniosacral therapist uses non-invasive touch to gently manipulate the system, with the aim to assist the patient's natural self-corrective physiological processes to improve the internal environment.

Examination is done by testing for movement in various parts of the craniosacral system. Trained therapists are able to palpate the motion of the craniosacral system anywhere in the body, but it is most easy to do via the bones of the skull, sacrum and coccyx because they attach to the membranes that actually enclose the cerebrospinal fluid. Seldom is pressure of more that 5 grams applied.

Because craniosacral therapy aims to support our self-healing mechanisms, the scope of conditions it may assist is very wide. It may assist with chronic pain, reduced mobility, stiff joints, headaches and migraines, jaw (temporomandibular joint) problems, neuralgia, learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, menstrual and menopausal problems and clumsiness.

In newborns, and infants and children, problems such as colic, hyperactivity, feeding and sleeping problems, and faulty development are often helped. If a routine evaluation of a newborn is done, release of strains and restrictions, even after a normal delivery, can be done that may avoid dysfunction in later life.

Conditions Treated

  • Back and neck pain/sciatica
  • Frozen shoulder/tennis elbow
  • Sports injuries – chronic and acute
  • Joint pain and muscle spasm
  • Pain management
  • Acute and chronic fatigue
  • Asthma, hayfever and bronchial complaints
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Digestive Problems
  • Infant Colic
  • PMT
  • Chronic pain
  • Reduced mobility
  • Stiff joints
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Jaw (temporomandibular joint) problems
  • Neuralgia
  • Dyslexia
  • Dyscalculia
  • Clumsiness
  • Menstrual and menopausal problems