R E S E A R C H A B S T R A C T

Effects of The Bowen Technique on Flexibility Levels:
Implications for Fascial Plasticity


Michelle Marr, MSc BSc (Hons) PgCertEd MCSP
Chartered Physiotherapist and External Lecturer for Coventry University

Nicky Lambon, MA MCSP SRP DipTP
Principal Lecturer and Programme Manager at Coventry University, UK

Julian Baker, Director of The European College of Bowen Studies
Corsley Centre, Wiltshire BA12 7QF
Phone: 01373 832340
email: info@thebowentechnique.com

BACKGROUND: Hamstring strains are the most common sport-related injury in the lower limb, with high recurrence rates and lengthy recovery periods. Causal links between lack of flexibility and development of muscle strain injury are frequently reported. The financial implication of treating such injuries provides a continual drive to deliver more effective, evidence-based treatment. Since 1994, a complementary therapy called ‘The Bowen Technique’ has been used to treat inflexibility and many other conditions. The technique provides gentle rolling moves over fascial interfaces without heating, stretching or specific joint mobilisation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the Bowen technique, on the hamstring flexibility of healthy subjects, over time.

METHOD: A single-blinded, longitudinal, RCT was performed on 116 male and female volunteers. Participants were randomly allocated into a control group or Bowen intervention group. Three hamstring flexibility measurements were taken from each subject over one week, using an active knee extension test and an electrogoniometer. An independent assessor verified the


RESULTS: Data were analysed using independent t-tests. Significant increases in hamstring flexibility were demonstrated in the Bowen group immediately post-test (p<0.0005). These increases maintained for one week (p<0.0005) without further treatment.


CONCLUSION: A single treatment of the Bowen technique significantly increases the flexibility of the hamstring muscles in healthy subjects and maintains this increase for a period of one week in the absence of tissue heating, stretching, or specific joint mobilisation. Previous quantitative research has reported sustained flexibility increases for a maximum of twenty-four hours. This study has provided new information relating to the subject of flexibility. The superficial and gentle nature of the Bowen Technique invalidates explanations of tissue creep yet provides implications for plasticity following proprioceptive stimulation along the thoracolumbar and lumboeplvic myofascial slings. Further research is required into such proprioceptive mechanisms in relation to manual therapy techniques.
January 2008

This research was published in the Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies in July 2011.

European College of Bowen Studies
Corsley Centre, Corsley, Wiltshire, BA12 7QF. Tel: 01373 832 340
info@thebowentechnique.com
www.thebowentechnique.com


Why getting closer to your toes will keep you going to the gym


"If you can't touch your toes and experience hip, back, knee or ankle pain, it's almost certainly due to having short hamstrings.

Many people have short hamstrings, which in time can lead to long-term back pain. In the shorter term, can make many forms of exercise more painful and difficult to recover from" commented Julian Baker, a teacher and practitioner of the Bowen Technique.

A major breakthrough in treating hamstring injuries and their limited flexibility means this could all change. The advance in therapy means people who are unable to touch their toes could now do so.

The implications of reaching your toes are huge according to the director of the European College of Bowen studies, who describes this development as the impossible dream for sports therapists and athletes.

Hamstring problems are not only one of the most common and time-consuming injuries to treat in athletes; they are also indicated in back pain and sciatica.

A recently published study by Coventry University showed the application of The Bowen Technique to have improved the long-term flexibility of hamstrings significantly, after only one treatment.

The study tracked the physical progress of 116 people whose hamstring performance was first measured electronically while performing a straight leg raise. They were then treated once and followed up with a second measurement after seven days.

"I'm astonished by the long-term effects of this therapy treatment" added Julian. "I had expected some of the immediate improvements to drop away, but for most of those who trialled the therapy to maintain and increase their flexibility was a real surprise.”

Research from the trial shows that not only did the Bowen Technique treatment significantly increase hamstring flexibility, but these changes held and even increased over seven days, without further treatment.

"Achieving improvement in such a short time frame is an impressive result for any physical research. The hamstrings are completely key to the body's well-being - if they are suitably flexible, they will reduce pain levels and the incidence of injury.

The Bowen Technique is a treatment, which addresses body tension, allowing reduced pain and better movement. The treatment involves light rolling movements over muscles, ligaments and tendons. Short breaks between moves are a feature of the technique, which works by connecting the body's nervous systems, allowing the brain to regulate pain signals.

After using it to recover from breaking his back during SAS parachute training, the adventurer Bear Grylls described himself as 'hooked' on the Bowen Technique.

For more information on the Bowen Technique therapy visit thebowentechnique.com