BACK PAIN RESEARCH

 

 

There are many causes of back pain: herniated or bulging discs, sciatica, spondylothesis, arthritis, scoliosis and more. Bowen therapy can often help with these and other ailments as indicated by the following research study from the University of North Carolina:

 

BACK AND NECK PAIN:

 

Amy Norman presented a study on bowen therapy in 1998 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Science.

 

Practitioners rated the following results in their clients:

 

• 85% effectiveness in back pain with 4.3 sessions

• 88% effectiveness in neck pain with 4.5 sessions

• 83% effectiveness in stress, tension with 4 sessions

• 83% effectiveness in "other" issues after 5.8 sessions

 

After receiving their treatments, clients reported the following results:

 

• 85% effectiveness with back pain

• 80% effectiveness for stress and tension

• 80% effectiveness with Fibromyalgia

• 95% effectiveness with TMJ

• 80% effectiveness with hip pain

• 75.6% for "other" conditions

 

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SHOULDER PAIN

 

An English study published in the UK showed effective results with Frozen Shoulders after 3 to 6 treatments, even with those who had long-standing conditions. The study involved 20 participants diagnosed with frozen shoulder and treated with the Bowen Technique.

 

70% of participants regained full mobility, equal to the unaffected side, by end of treatment. The other participants showed significant improvement in mobility and associated function. 80% of participants reported a pain level of 0-2, down from a level of 10. Some still reported mild ache but none reported any invasive or intense pain, which they had experienced before receiving Bowen Therapy.

 

At the conclusion of this study, participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the therapy, a commitment to use Bowen in any future case of relapse or for another condition, and the intention to recommend the therapy to friends and family.

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A second study by Carter on using bowen therapy for the treatment of frozen shoulder:

 

Participants: Twenty participants with frozen shoulder.

Intervention: Bowen Therapy, using 'frozen shoulder procedure'.

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Results: Improvement in shoulder mobility and associated function for all participants. Median 'worst pain' pre-therapy score reduced from 7 (mean 7, range 1-10) to a median 'worst pain' score of 1 (mean 1.45, range 0-5) post-therapy. Fewer pain quality descriptors used by all participants. All participants experienced improvement in their daily activities.

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Conclusions: Bowen Technique demonstrated an improvement for participants, even those with a very longstanding history of frozen shoulder. Further trials are warranted.

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STROKE RESEARCH

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A pilot study:

Introduction: Bowen therapy is an established complementary therapy. This is a pilot study to explore the potential impact of Bowen therapy in chronic stroke.

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Methods: 14 people with chronic stroke were offered 13 sessions of Bowen therapy over a three-month period.

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Conclusions: In this pilot study, Bowen therapy was associated with improvements in  neuromuscular function in 13 of the 14 participants with chronic stroke. Results suggest that exploration through further research is appropriate.

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FIBROMYALGIA RESEARCH

 

An effective technique for relieving the pain associated with fibromyalgia because it works gently through the nervous system rather than kneading muscle tissue or manipulating the skeletal system. This works well for fibromyalgia to reduce the immediate pain as well as reducing the frequency and severity of pain in future. Although not a cure for fibromyalgia, it is a very effective tool in managing the condition with relatively few treatments.

 

Although it afflicts between six and nine percent of the population, fibromyalgia is a medical condition that is not well understood. It is characterized by chronic pain throughout the body, weakness, and fatigue; and it most affects women. People with fibromyalgia are often treated with allopathic medication, but bowen therapy there is compelling research that bowen therapy may also be effective in relieving the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia:

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A 2024 controlled trial with 132 participants with fibromyalgia syndrome compared the effects of Bowen therapy, a standard exercise program, craniosacral therapy, and static touch therapy over 12 weeks of treatment.

Researchers found that Bowen therapy was effective at improving the quality of sleep and pressure pain threshold (how much manual pressure someone needs before they feel pain). Participants still reported these improvements 24 weeks post-treatment.

 

NECK PAIN RESEARCH:

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A 2023 clinical trialTrusted Source in 90 patients with myofascial neck pain explored the effects of eight sessions of Bowen therapy over 12 weeks versus conventional treatment for the condition. Researchers did one follow-up 24 weeks after the first session to assess the therapy’s longer-term effects.

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The study indicated that the people who received Bowen therapy reported significant improvements compared to the control group in areas like neck range of motion, anxiety levels, depression symptoms, perception of how much neck pain interferes with daily life, and pressure pain threshold. Participants still reported these benefits after 24 weeks.

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MIGRAINE HEADACHE RESEARCH

 

A highly effective treatment for migraines, it acts quickly to relieve migraine pain and effectively reduces the frequency and severity of future attacks, often with very few treatments.

                                                   

The Bowen Technique Migraine Research Program which studied the efficacy of treating migraine headaches. 79.5 % of all participants experienced a positive result. At the end of the program, 36 of the 39 said they would recommend Bowen as a treatment to a friend or colleague.   

 

Details of The Bowen Technique National Migraine Research Program

                                                

Aim: The National Research program was launched to determine the efficacy of  Bowen Therapy in the treatment of the migraine condition. The research program was not aiming to record any changes in the volunteer’s migraine pattern according to frequency and severity over a given period after receiving Bowen treatments. 

 

Selection of candidates: The research group was recruited on the basis that they were diagnosed as a migraine sufferer by a GP or hospital specialist. The women volunteers were well represented at different stages of their menstrual life ie.regular periods, pre menopausal, menopausal with / without hormone therapy, postmenopausal, hysterectomy. 

 

The Research Program: The program was carried out over a 6 week period. This was comprised of a two week treatment period during which the participant received three Bowen treatments followed by a four week observational period. The migraine volunteer kept a migraine diary throughout the 6 week period. 

 

The Results of the Bowen Therapy National Migraine Research Program: Of the 39 participants 31 case studies experienced a positive result, yielding a response rate of 79.5%. 

 

Attitude towards Bowen Therapy at the end of the program: 36 of the 39 volunteers said they would recommend Bowen as a treatment. Following are quotes from some of the migraine volunteers:“I have had more energy and migraine-free time”.“I have been so used to frequent Migraines , I can’t quite mentally adjust to not having pain.” “The most relaxing and enjoyable of any treatments I have previously tried.”“After the 2nd treatment, I had 9 days without Migraines which was wonderful.” “I feel I am more calm since having the treatment.” 

 

The Migraine Action Association: Ann Turner, Director for the Migraine Action Association writes “The results from the Bowen Therapy National Migraine Research Program are very encouraging. It confirms that this gentle, non-invasive, holistic therapy can help a wide range of migraine sufferers. 

 

Conclusion:The results are very positive. As a holistic therapy, Bowen treats the individual as an integrated biodynamic system as opposed to an isolated ailment. Migraines can be triggered by any one or a combination of factors ranging from hormonal, sleeping patterns, neck and jaw tightness,exercise, travel, lack of food, allergies and stress levels of the individual. These factors are so varied, that a holistic therapy like Bowen must be considered as a valid option for the treatment of the migraine condition. 

 

TMJ RESEARCH

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In Durango, CO, Dr. John Bauman, DDS completed a research project on the application of bowen therapy on TMJ abnormality.

 

 

Assessment of masseter tension by biofeedback, measurement of bite and subjective symptoms were compared before and after treatment.

 

Immediately after the first treatment, one third of patients felt dramatic relief in some of their symptoms. 20 out of the 22 patients showed significant improvement on their post biofeedback assessment.

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DYSPRAXIA RESEARCH (DEVELOPMENTAL COORDINATION DISORDER)

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Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a disorder emerging in childhood characterized by motor skill impairments. 

 

The pilot study tested the effectiveness of 6 weeks of bowen therapy in 10 boys aged 8–11 years with DCD. None of the boys had ever received treatment in any form before this study. Motor skills were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and the DCD questionnaire.

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Results showed significant improvement in motor function post-intervention, with 60% of the children no longer clinically being classified as having a movement difficulty on the MABC-2. 

 

HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY RESEARCH

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The hamstring muscles are regularly implicated in recurrent injuries, movement dysfunction and low back pain. Links between limited flexibility and development of neuromusculoskeletal symptoms are frequently reported. The Bowen Technique is used to treat many conditions including lack of flexibility. The study set out to investigate the effect of the Bowen Technique on hamstring flexibility over time. An assessor-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial was performed on 120 asymptomatic volunteers. Participants were randomly allocated into a control group or Bowen group. Three flexibility measurements occurred over one week, using an active knee extension test. The intervention group received a single Bowen treatment.  Continuing increases in flexibility levels were observed over one week. No significant change over time was noted for the control group.

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TENSION HEADACHE RESEARCH

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A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL:

Background and Aim: Bowen therapy is a non-pharmacologi-
cal method for treating a variety of pain conditions, but its
effectiveness in treating tension-type headaches is unknown.
We compared the effectiveness of Bowen therapy to a sham
treatment to determine its effectiveness in treating tension type headaches.

Methodology: In a multi-center randomized controlled trial,
young adults with a tension-type headache were selected
from the Neurology Department of DHQ hospital Sargodha and
Niazi Medical Complex, Sargodha, with convenient sampling.
A priori sample size calculation determined that 44 participants
were needed. The participants were randomly assigned to two
groups. Bowen Therapy (n=22) and Sham Treatment (n=22).

The Bowen therapy was administered for two
weeks. The measurement was taken at baseline and after two
weeks. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis.

Results: A significant decrease in the severity of pain and improvement in
pain pressure threshold assessed by the visual analogue scale
(VAS) and algometer in the Bowen therapy group was noticed after two
weeks (<0.05). However, no changes in pain intensity were
found in the sham therapy group. Furthermore, the headache
frequency was also reduced in Bowen therapy compared to the
sham therapy group (<0.05) after the study period.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that Bowen Therapy might
be a beneficial and effective treatment for a tension-type head-
ache. Further studies are needed using older adult participants.

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NOCTURNAL ENURESIS RESEARCH ( BEDWETTING)

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The study involved a total of 43 children aged up to and including 7 years of age. Children older than 7 were not included in the study because of the higher psycho-emotional component associated with the older age. Children having accompanying problems and conditions, e.g. autism, cerebral palsy, were also excluded from the survey. All children were subjected to bowen therapy with a frequency of once per week for a minimum of 7 weeks

 

Results: 51.16% of all children with enuresis treated with bowen therapy experienced an excellent or a very good effect from the Bowen sessions, with almost 42% of the children experiencing 6-7 consecutive dry nights.

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ASTHMA RESEARCH

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Results of the Bowen Technique National Asthma Research Program:

 

Of the 24 participants who completed the 12 month program:
    

20 (83%) reported a reduction in the frequency of their asthma attacks
18 (75%) reported a reduction in the severity of their attacks
18 (75%) were now using less medication than before starting the Bowen Research project
14 (58%) reported they were responding better to their medication
17 (71%) volunteers reported their sensitivity to triggers had reduced

CARPAL TUNNEL RESEARCH

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Six people took part in a bowen therapy study carried out by Glenys Sheedy. They had been suffering from pain and numbness in the fingers and wrist, shoulders and neck for up to 3 years. They received four bowen treatments over a 4 week period. Bowen successfully eliminated all symptoms for 3 of the 6 participants, and the remaining three were able to return to regular activities.

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ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE ANECDOTAL RESEARCH:

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California State University athletic coaches and training staff have both personally experienced the positive and almost instantaneous effects of Bowen therapy and seen the phenomenal results on their football, baseball, basketball, track, cross-country, and crew athletes.

 

Athletes who have had ankle, back, knee, neck, shoulder, groin and hamstring strains or pulls, have received immediate noticeable differences during and after receiving a treatment. i.e. increased range and ease of motion, athletic fluidity, and release of strain tension or muscle cramping. Other athletes who have had chronic shoulder, knee, elbow, or other joint pain due to old injuries had either an immediate noticeable decrease or total elimination of the pain. Still others who have complained of tightness in the chest and slight breathing difficulties have received immediate relief and a greater ability to breathe deeper.

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PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS:

Ashley Pritchard, at Swinburne University, department of Psychophysiology, Melbourne, Australia, showed that Bowen therapy consistently reduced subjects’ levels of anxiety, and enhanced individuals’ positive feelings by reducing tension, anger, depression, fatigue, and confusion. Objective measures of decrease in Heart Rate Variability and muscle tension correlated with subjective feelings of relaxation.

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PARKINSON’S

Bowen therapy became more widely known as an treatment for Parkinson’s disease after John Coleman, a naturopath from Australia, utilized Bowen therapy in the treatment of his own Stage IV Parkinson’s in 1998. His is still enjoying a remission from his symptoms.

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RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME:

The bowen therapy study by Marg Biorac from Australia included six people suffering from Restless Leg Syndrome. One participant did not receive any treatment and served as the control; the other five received four Bowen therapy treatments over a four week period. All five persons noticed a reduction in the frequency, intensity and duration of symptoms.

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