Bowen Therapy Research

Bowen Therapy Research: Extracts

The following extracts report reputable research work to do with the Tom Bowen (Bowen Therapy) Treatment Technique. For further comment, see bottom of page.

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Bruce Thomson

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Contents
Frozen Shoulder
Carpal Tunnel
Restless leg Syndrome
Bowen Bunion Soak
Heart Rate Variablity in Fibromyalgia Sufferers
Psychophysiological Effects
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Carter B: Bowen Therapy For Frozen Shoulder: A Pilot Study
(Address: The Clinical Nursing Practice Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK)

Objective
To evaluate clients' experience of Bowen technique in the treatment of frozen shoulder in terms of their pain, functional ability and well being.

Materials and methods
A case series using primarily quantitative methods and qualitative interviews was undertaken. Data were generated through consultation sheets, self-report pain diaries, self-complete questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Twenty participants with frozen shoulder were recruited using established criteria for use in the primary care setting: clinical history of worsening painful shoulder, motion loss of at least 1 month's duration and physical examination documenting painful, restricted shoulder motion. Participants were treated by one of two qualified Bowen therapists using Bowen technique and undertaking the moves in the established 'frozen shoulder procedure'. The main outcome measures were a range of active and passive motion (abduction, flexion, extension, medial rotation, lateral rotation and 'wall climb') in both shoulders, pain intensity scores, impact on well-being and health status.

Results
There were no reports of any adverse experiences. Improvement in shoulder mobility and associated function was seen for all participants, with 70% gaining a return in movement equal to their unaffected side. Markedly reduced pain intensity scores and pain quality descriptors were also seen for all participants. All participants experienced improvement in their daily activities. No participant attended for more than five treatment sessions.

Conclusion
Bowen technique demonstrated an improvement for participants, even those with a very long-standing history of frozen shoulder. Further trials are warranted.

Abstract sourced from: http://www.bowtech.com/bowen-research/completed-research.html

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Sheedy, G: (2000) 'Bowen Therapy as an alternate treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome'.
Short Summary
6 clients with carpal tunnel syndrome (3 had had surgery but still had symptoms) were given 3-4 treatments. 1 client withdrew 5 remaining clients improved or resolved.

Objective
To evaluate effectiveness of Bowen Technique in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in automotive assembly line workers.

Background:
The company encourages its employees to participate in the Pause Gymnastics program (five minutes twice a day) and all employees are rotated to different workstations every two hours. At interview, all candidates for Bowen therapy revealed that they experienced "mild to extreme " pain in the neck and shoulders as well as their arm and wrist.

b>Materials and methods
6 clients with carpal tunnel syndrome (3 had had surgery but still had symptoms) were given 3-4 treatments. The treatment plan was as follows:- (Treatments at Weekly Intervals)

Week 1: Basic Relaxation moves (upper back Basic Relaxation moves (Neck and shoulder). Frozen Shoulder Procedure Elbow and Wrist procedure
Week 2: Same as week 1
Week 3: Same as week 1, but if minimal improvement, additional moves were performed (North South East West).
Week 4: Same as week 1, but additional moves, Pelvic Procedure.

Results
Three candidates improved to the clinically normal, with minimal pain and loss of function. Once client declined treatment after the first treatment due to the experience of pain and nausea. One candidate experienced improvement, but required a repeat visit a month later - due to "feeling so good that they had spent the weekend gardening and washing windows". Once client showed significant improvement, and at the same time, her workstation was re-organized to minimize re-injury risk.

Conclusion
Bowen therapy proved to be an effective adjunct to pre-existent company preventative and treatment policies.

Reviewer's Comment
Of special interest is that while the medical professional diagnosis was a condition isolated to the wrist, (carpal tunnel syndrome), all the candidates complained of "mild to extreme pain in the neck and shoulders" in addition to the signs in the wrists and hands. Massage therapist Clair Davies states:- "Keep in mind that a good rule [when tracking down sources of numbness, pain or burning in the hands]… is always to start with the scalenes [muscles that can narrow the thoracic outlet and impinge on blood vessels and nerves at the top of the arm]. Trigger points in other muscles of the arm and shoulder can also mimic "carpal tunnel". Thus, for carpal tunnel syndrome, an holistic approach (as for example applied by the Bowen therapist in this study) is essential.

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Biorac M, 2000, The effect of Bowen Therapy on Restless Leg Syndrome
Short Summary Two groups: Group A was the "Treatment Group, while Group B was the control group (not treatment). Both groups were requested to keep a daily diary relating to frequency, severity and duration of symptoms.

Objective
To clinically assess the clinical efficaciousness of Bowen therapy for the condition known as "Restless Legs".

Method
Bowen therapy was applied to the treatment group on a weekly basis as follows:-

Week 1: Complete basic relaxation moves
Week 2: Same as week 1 plus hamstrings
Week 3: Same as week 1 plus hamstrings, kidney, coccyx, and knee procedures.
Week 4: Same as week 1, plus kidney, pelvic and knee procedures.

Results

Three of five patients received marked reduction in symptoms from 3 to 14 days after the start of therapy. This relief lasted up to week 4 (the last week of treatment). The research paper does not state if relief continued beyond this time. Webmaster's Comment
This is a remarkable result when the excellent review of the medical literature on "restless legs" (part of the research paper) is considered.

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Lambeth, B., 'An Examination of the Bowen Bunion Treatment' (1999).
4 elderly clients with bilateral bunions were treated with Epsom Salts/Iodex. No Bowen moves made. Bunions measured at 1,2 and 3 month intervals. Bunion size reduced for all clients from 5mm to 15mm.

Objective:

To assess the "Bowen Bunion" Treatment". This involves a soak in an Epsom salts footbath for 20 to 30 minutes, and then a rub or smear of the bunion area with "Iodex" (Iodex with Methylsalycilate).

Materials and Method
No Bowen moves were applied. Four elderly patients applied the treatment daily basis for up to 3 months. Girth measurement were made as pictured.

Results
The treatment compliance was high, and this was attibuted to the relaxing effect of the footbath. The bunion girth measurement decreased such that at 28 days they were decreased by an average of 3mm, at 55 days they were decreased by an average of 8 mm, and by 95 days they were decreased by an average of 7 mm. All clients reported a reduction in pain or throbbing. Three out of four patients have continued to use the treatment when required. One patient (who has continued to use the treatment every second night), now has a freely mobile toe that can be aligned normally.

Reviewer's Comment
The research paper concludes with an excellent discussion upon the total management plan (prevention and therapy, including Bowen therapy; orthodox massage; strapping; and strengthening) of bunions.

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Whitaker,J.A., Gilliam,P.P., Seba, D.B. (1997). 'The Bowen Technique: a Gentle Hands-on Method That Affects the Autonomic Nervous System as Measured by Heart Rate Variability and Clinical Assessment'.

Abstract presentation American Academy of Environmental Medicine 32nd Annual Conference La Jolla California.

Summary
Well designed case control analytical study. 2 groups of 11 data sets. 1 normal group as a control, 1 group of fibromyalgia sufferers. Single lead ECG measurements of R to R wave. Both groups were treated with Bowen Technique. Heart Rate Variability and symptom relief perception were noted in the fibromyalgia group.

Materials and Methods
Heart rate variability was measured before and after Bowen therapy in 11 fibromyalgia sufferers, and also in a group of "normal'; subjects.

Results
The fibromyaligia group showed signs of a decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity, and increase in parasympathetic nervous system activity. The converse was true for "normal" individuals, though to alesser extent.

Article Quote
First, all experienced some immediate relief post-Bowen treatment. Second, this decrease in symptomology persisted over widely varying time periods ranging from a few days to several weeks. One subject reported that her fibromyalgia symptoms continued to be relieved over a six-week period.

Webmaster's Comment
The heart rate variability test is a highly technical subject. The reader is referred to the original research paper for further explanation.

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Pritchard,A.G(*), (1993),' The Psychophysiological Effects of the Bowen Technique Therapy'
(*) Swinburne University, Melbourne. Psychophysiology Major research Project.

10 college students were subjected to a the following tests immediately before, during and after Bowen therapy. Before and after treatment measurements of POMS (profile of Mood States), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Heart Rate (ECG) , Muscle Tension (electromyographic recording of the frontalis muscle).

Results
Muscle tension decreased early during the therapy. Heart rate decreases (an average of four beats per minute) by the end of therapy, and the A comparison of individuals anxiety level in the current study with Spielberger and colleagues (1970) normative data, reveals that individuals in the current study were less anxious prior to the Bowen technique than the standardised norms of college individuals. Comparison also reveals that individuals following the Bowen technique therapy exhibit anxiety more closely resembling Spielberger et al (1970) normative data for a relaxed state.

Table 1.
Means and Standard Deviations for State-Trait Anxiety Index before, immediately after, and I Week Subsequent to the Bowen Technique Therapy-A Comparison to Standardised Norms for College Students.

This Study	Mean	SD
Pre Bowen Therapy (n=9)	33.00	8.73
Post Bowen Therapy (n=9)	26.13	5.30
1 Week after Bowen Therapy	39.25	9.19
Standardised Norms (n=88)*	Mean	SD
Norm	37.12	9.92
(During Exams??)	43.35	11.41
Relaxed	31.15	7.97

(*) Overall norms averaged from male and female normative data.

Conclusion
A standard Bowen therapy delivers immediate muscle relaxation, reduction in anxiety and heart rate.

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Webmaster's Comment
The above research projects have been performed by persons of the highest standards of ethics and competency, but have not been fully published. In my opinion, they should be published, because this would add greatly to the publicly available science based evidence as to the usefulness of the Bowen therapy modality.

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Data CD
For those who are interested in further information, a CD is available for purchase:-

Bowen Technique Research on CD May 2006 (word document)

The webmaster is not affiliated with the seller of this CD, and does not seek to benefit from any sales.

Note: Information on this webpage is provided with reasonable diligence, but no guarantees as to accuracy or authenticity are made.

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