Research
Research publications are both time consuming and expensive. The different Bowen schools continue to encourage therapists to engage in Bowen studies to promote and show efficacy of this modality. There are a growing number of studies on the effectiveness of Bowen Therapy. Please follow The Bowen Association UK for more information. Some of the study results and recent research is detailed below.
Fibromyalgia
In a study of twenty patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia conducted by Jo Anne Whitaker, M.D., at the American College of Rheumatology, almost all participants experienced various degrees of relief which lasted from a few days to several weeks. Most reported immediate relief following a Bowen treatment. For some, repeated Bowen therapy maintained complete clinical remission. The results were statistically significant and correlated with improvement of clinical well-being.
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A pilot study on the effect of Bowen treatments on fibromyalgia sufferers was carried out by Tim Willcocks (Bowen Practitioner and Trainer). Four participants (aged 39-52) who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia from 3 to 5 years were given four Bowen treatments over a five week period. All four participants experienced improvement, including better sleep, ease in walking, cessation of vertigo, eased neck pain, improved balance and less exhaustion.
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Pregnancy Post Natal and Fertility
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Asthma
Nikke Ariff is a Bowen therapist who, between 2002 and 2004 carried out a research program to test the efficacy of the Bowen Technique with Asthma sufferers. The research was carried out over a twelve month period. The majority of participants had been suffering from Asthma over 5 years, most for over 15 years. The results were very positive. Eighty-three per cent of the participants reported a reduction in the frequency of their asthma attacks and 75% of the participants reported using less medication than before the Bowen Research project. Of the 24 Volunteers who completed the program, 22 reported that secondary health concerns had also improved, including back, neck and shoulder problems; knee and joint problems; headaches and migraines; hay fever; irritable bowel syndrome and digestion; circulation; insomnia; anxiety, stress, depression and energy level improvement. Read Full article here ->National Asthma Research Program
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Migraines
London-based Bowen Technique practitioner Nikke Ariff completed the Bowen Technique Migraine Research Program which studied the efficacy of the Bowen Technique in treating migraine headaches. The 39 migraine volunteers consisted of 37 women and 2 men. Thirteen of them had been suffering from migraines for 1-15 years; seventeen of them had been having migraines for 16-30 years; and nine had had migraines for over 30 years. In all, 31 participants experienced a positive result, representing 79.5% of participants. At the end of the program, 36 of the 39 said they would recommend Bowen as a treatment to a friend or colleague. Read Full article here->Bowen Migraine Research Project
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Frozen shoulder
Dr. Bernie Carter at the Metropolitan University of Manchester (UK) conducted a clinical trial to monitor the effect of treatment over a six-week period. We also wanted to gather evidence that would clearly address the frequently expressed opinion of the medical profession that complementary medicine works purely as “a placebo”. Full article here.
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Dyspraxia/ Development Coordination Disorder
Research study completed in the U.K. by Dr. Melanie Morgan-Jones on Fascia Bowen Technique as it relates to Dyspraxia."Does Fascia Bowen Therapy Improve Neuromuscular Function and Psychological Well-Being in Males Aged 8-11 (At Primary School) with Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder?" Read full article here.
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Cerebral Palsy
A small scale study of the benefits of Bowen therapy on Children with Cerebral Palsy, written and published by one of the Bowen Association of UK members. In this small scale study the author considers 13 children, that after a few sessions the majority improved the memory, focusing ability, emotional state and behaviour. Read full study here.
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Exercise and Sports Science
A study at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill compared practitioner and patient responses on the efficacy of the Bowen Technique in treating pain. Practitioners rated its effectiveness as 85% for back pain, 88% for neck pain, 83% for stress and tension and 80% for fibromyalgia. Patients rated the Bowen Technique at 85% for back pain, 80% for stress and tension, 95% for TMJ, 80% for hip pain and 75.^% for other conditions.
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Effects of the Bowen Technique on the Autonomous Nervous System and Heart Rate Variability
By measuring changes in the value and pattern in heart rate variability before and after a Bowen treatment, this study by Jo Anne Whitaker, M.D., demonstrated that the Bowen Technique affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS). By using Heart Rate Variability to study the autonomic nervous system, early findings demonstrated that Bowen treatments balanced the ANS. The control group consisted of subjects with all types of rheumatologic conditions.
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