Maine Bowen
Maine Bowen is a collaboration of practitioners certified by the American Bowen Academy. Together we serve individual clients, run community clinics and offer bespoke services for organizations such as onsite visits to care homes, schools or businesses to support people in a group setting. As a small team, we share a deep respect for our clients' individual experience and potential for physical and mental health - and the same approach of creating a nurturing space for whatever healing is needed at a particular time.
Our clients come to us for help with a wide range of health issues, from chronic migraines to sciatica, asthma to PTSD. Some come just to regain their sense of balance and well-being. We also work on old injuries, scar tissue and fresh trauma. Bowenwork for concussion is one of our most significant procedures, given the short and long-term health impacts of head trauma. (For most effectiveness, Bowen is a safe option immediately following trauma, but it can even impact the effects of injuries years old.) Often a fresh injury will only need one or two sessions to help it resolve optimally, whereas clients with chronic or complex conditions may need longer term work. We also provide support for those with degenerative diseases and cancer - many times Bowenwork can help alleviate symptoms or pharmaceutical side-effects. Bowenwork is a complementary approach and we will work with clients around other healthcare modalities; we will always refer to a medical professional when appropriate.
Our clients come to us for help with a wide range of health issues, from chronic migraines to sciatica, asthma to PTSD. Some come just to regain their sense of balance and well-being. We also work on old injuries, scar tissue and fresh trauma. Bowenwork for concussion is one of our most significant procedures, given the short and long-term health impacts of head trauma. (For most effectiveness, Bowen is a safe option immediately following trauma, but it can even impact the effects of injuries years old.) Often a fresh injury will only need one or two sessions to help it resolve optimally, whereas clients with chronic or complex conditions may need longer term work. We also provide support for those with degenerative diseases and cancer - many times Bowenwork can help alleviate symptoms or pharmaceutical side-effects. Bowenwork is a complementary approach and we will work with clients around other healthcare modalities; we will always refer to a medical professional when appropriate.
What actually is Bowenwork...?
Bowenwork is an extremely gentle yet effective hands-on bodywork therapy. It involves a series of small, precise moves over muscles, tendons or nerves that stimulate the body's own healing processes. Intrinsic and unique to this modality are pauses between some of the moves. This allows the body to respond to the signals rather than be overwhelmed - as practitioners it is sometimes hard not to "do too much" - but we learn from experience that with this elegantly simple technique "less is more" - a little really does go a long way and the impact is usually greater if our work is focused to minimum intervention. The Bowen technique's light touch makes it safe to be used on everyone, from newborn babies to those of us with very compromised health or mobility.
How does it work?
The Bowen technique was originally developed on the basis of experienced results rather than scientific or philosophical theory. However, as the technique has been proliferated, increasing studies have been undertaken in order to better understand how it works. The number of mechanisms for action proposed by different theories illustrates the extent to which Bowen truly is a holistic approach. Here are some of them:
- Relaxation: Bowen prompts the autonomic nervous system to shift from its sympathetic mode ('fight, flight or freeze') to the parasympathetic mode of 'rest, relax and repair'.
- Stretch reflex: As the practitioner moves over muscles and tendons, receptors signal information to the nervous system regarding the state of tension, length or stretch of muscular tissue.
- Fascia: Working at the level of superficial fascia, Bowen rehydrates the fascia and affects its relationship with the surrounding nerves, muscles or tendons.
- Vibration: The sequence of Bowen 'moves' sets up vibrational patterns in the body. Collagen cells in the connective tissue respond to these vibrations, impacting surrounding tissues and cells. There is also an overlap with acupuncture points and some Bowen moves cross two or three acupuncture meridians.
- Detoxification: is often begun during a session. Some Bowen procedures also prompt drainage of the lymphatic system, thereby stimulating the immune system.
