What is Bowen Therapy? What is NST?

Bowen Therapy or Advanced Bowen Therapy is also known as the Neurostructural Integration Technique (NST). It  is a dynamic and skilful professional bodywork technique, which activates the body’s innate healing wisdom.  This results in a comprehensive reorganization of the body’s muscles, characterised by lasting pain relief and functioning plus an increase in energy levels.  The response is most often profoundly effective and sometimes miraculous.

NST is essentially a soft tissue therapy designed to release muscles and fascia in a manner, which is safe for all ages, from newborns to the elderly.  It is often called contextual healing, as its main aim is to reintegrate the body as a whole (e.g. reboots  the whole system).  It is for this reason that there are no contraindications, essentially rendering the technique useful for a wide range of conditions from acute pain to chronic conditions.

A treatment consists of the use of sequences of specialised moved on the body, carried out in a very specific and systematic manner.  There  is no forceful manipulation, rather a cross-fibre manoeuvering of muscle, tendon, ligament or nerve, using varying pressure and incorporating resting periods to allow the body to respond.  Treatment can be done either through clothing or directly on the skin.

Throughout the session the client experiences deep relaxation, essentially providing the body with a window of opportunity: to comprehensively reorganise itself via the natural activation of various nerve reflexes.

Substantial relief is frequently attained after the first three sessions; however a reduction in symptoms is most often noted after the first sessions.  Long term resolution is generally attained after the fourth or fifth sessions.  A session normally lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour.

It is common for individuals receiving this work to experience a wide range of reactions such as shifting body aches, hot and cold flushes, sweating and, at times, emotional releases, however these are a positive sign that the individual is returning to a better state of well being.

The real secret of why NST/Bowen works is because of its underpinning philosophy.  Put simply, the philosophy is that the body is a self regulating bioenergetic and biomechanical phenomena which will continue to regulate itslef for as long as it has the reserve energy necessary to sustain life, by the ongoing process of biological adaptation.

The body automatically reorganises itself under certain circumstances via an energy conservation mechanism, called biological adaptation, which is mediated through its most powerful programme of all-the survival response.

Development

The Australian bodywork genius, Thomas Ambrose Bowen (1916-1982), the original developer of the method, realised that the body would regulate itself and return to balance if the appropirate neurological and neuromuscular context was created so that it could.  There was never the question of if it could, this was implicit in the fact that the person was alive! This was evidence enough that it could!

He discovered that there is a particular cycle in the body (variously referred to in other methods as the Craniosacral system) which must be free to operate unimpeded, if the individual is to enjoy good health and balance.

Whilst he discovered that this cycle was perceptible at an energetic level, he was equally aware of its physical components namely the sacrum, coccyx, cranium and temporormandibular joint  (TMJ)  complex and the dural membrane, which connects them to make them a functional unit.

Over and above the importance of recognising the need for this system to remain unimpeded, was his emphasis and insistence on releasing the neuromuscular imbalances throughout the body, which have such a direct impact on the proper functioning of the cycle and consequently the health of the whole body.

It is this point alone which sets NST/Bowen apart from all other forms of Physiotherapy, Osteopathic, Chiropractic and Cranio-Sacral approaches.

In summary, he postulated that if all muscular imbalances  could be released that the body would regulate itself, and in this process pain and symptoms would vanish and energy levels would increase.  Furthermore, the problematic condition would not return, because it had been addressed at its origin.

Bowen’s real brilliance however lies in the actual system he devised to enable this automatic systematic reintegration to take place.

He recognized that when the body was stimulated in a very particular fashion that the intelligence of the body would be alerted (as he put it) and the process of unraveling neuromuscular compensations (unwinding) would begin.

Depending on the extent to compensation in the body, this unraveling (unwinding) process could take anywhere from 5 minutes to 7 days at which time the body would go into a holding pattern.  A reassessment would be required to evaluate the client again, then another session carried out to restart the unraveling process once again if necessary.

In Practice and Application

In clinical practice, on average, it is common to receive reports from clients that they can feel the body going through the unraveling (unwinding) process for approximately 2 to 4 days.

There is often a very similar pattern experienced with body aches which move from one location to another (e.g. shoulder to knee), some sweating, emotional releases which some clients, but above all, a very deep sense of relaxation and change taking place.  In addition many clients report noticing their symptoms leaving their bodies in the reverse order to which they arrived.

While this may appear to be just semantics, the distinction is very important to keep in mind.  NST/Bowen is synonymous with contextual healing–a lost art which is now having a resurgence in many forms, and gaining popularity with both practitioners and clients alike.  Another well-known example of a contextual healing approach is homeopathy. Interestingly, many individuals have dubbed NST/Bowen as tactile homeopathy.

Firstly, using a combination of neurological and energetic blockage points, an initial temporary natural sedation is applied to the body.  Then using specific rolling motions (called moves)  across designated muscle, tendon, nerve and ligament points, a three part integrated body balance is applied,  which is partly performed with the client in a prone position and then finished with the client in a supine position.  This is generally comprised of a combination of further blockage and release points.

The moves are unique to Bowen Therapy, resembling neither massage, shiatsu, acupressure, osteopathic, or any other therapy’s activation, stimulation or releases.

Basically, the skin is lightly drawn over the designated points in either a lateral or medial direction, prior to executing the move.  After this, a little pressure is momentarily applied to the underlying structure, in the opposite direction, therefore finally crossing the structure (i.e. muscle, tendon, nerve or ligament) with a gentle pressure, back in the direction from where the skin was initially drawn.

Typically, the moves are executed without slipping, thus producing a gentle bump as the underlying structure is crossed.   In each session, the whole body will be treated commencing with a general body balance and progressing to specifics in line with what issues the patient presents.

Conditions NST/Bowen Can Help With:

The question is often asked: “will NST cure this condition or that condition?”  The response is always the same: NST/Bowen will cure nothing!  It is simply a process that enables the body to regulate itself, and throughout this process many symptoms disappear.

NST/Bowen is a contextual approach to healing and can be applied to any condition the human body is capable of manifesting.

The following list of symptoms frequently disappear in response to NST/Bowen Therapy:

• Cranial, Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders.
• Head injuries and headaches including migraines
• Neck problems including whiplash, shoulder and arm pains.
• Back problems in both the lumbar and thoracic spine.
• Leg problems including hamstrings, knee and ankles.
• Sciatic and pelvic problems.
• Accidents and sporting injuries (acute or chronic).
• Musculoskeletal disorders, rheumatism, arthritis and fibromyalgia.
• Digestive, bowel and urinary problems.
• Respiratory problems including asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis
• Menstrual, reproductive and menopausal disorders
• Baby colic, gastric reflux and feeding problems
• Acute and chronic fatigue syndrome
• Stress conditions, emotional depression and learning difficulties.

Note: In Fred Samorodin’s experience,  the conditions above may benefit from his bodywork  techniques including Cranio-sacral Therapy and/or NST/Bowen Therapy. While the above list of conditions are the most typical that respond to an NST or Craniosacral session, there are many other more serious condtions which may respond favourably as well, e.g. Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Lyme’s Disease,  just to name a few.

Typically, results are extremely good, requiring just a few sessions to bring about some stability in the condition.  Current international statistics consistently verify that in general clinical practice 80-85% of symptoms disappear after 3 to 4 sessions.  The remaining 15-20% of symptoms many require additional treatments (or advanced or blended procedures) to address core issues.  Many clients use NST/Bowen or Craniosacral Therapy preventatively.

Sessions are generally structured one to two weeks apart, depending on individual circumstances.

Fredric T. Samorodin, Registered Physical Therapist
604-732-6323

Acknowledgements to www.physicalogic.com

As a physical therapist, I have extensive experience in helping patients with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia. To help you find your healing path through fibromyalgia, I include the following brief overview of treatment possibilities in which I can contribute a part. Of the many books available on the subject, I can also recommend the most recent from a colleague and client – Chanchal Cabrera, M.N.I.M.H. – entitled Fibromyalgia: A Journey Toward Healing (Contemporary Books, McGraw-Hill, 2002, 318pp) My craniosacral therapy contributions to the author’s journey and book are quoted (pp.208-209).

The fibromyalgia syndrome is becoming an increasingly common complaint. It usually involves chronic, widespread muscle and joint pains, fatigue and poor sleep. It is estimated that, currently, some 7 million people, mainly women suffer from the problem in North America.

It is my experience that gentle manual therapy can help an individual function better for short periods of time. However, only by being aware of the wide-reaching manifestations of the fibromyalgia syndrome can one begin to understand the challenges and rewards of seeking a comprehensive treatment strategy to help manage one’s life as a sufferer.

Depending on the professional bias of health-care practitioners who offer solutions, a fibromyalgia sufferer may wonder whether there is ever going to be any potential meeting of minds on the causes of the problem. A ‘syndrome’ is, by definition, not a ‘diagnosis’, but a combination of symptoms without a presently known root cause. However, it is my experience as a therapist, that specific ‘diagnoses’ are often overrated. The following compilation of information is aimed at providing a rational for considering a combined, holistic program to manage the problem.

One theory considers fibromyalgia to be associated with physical stresses on the central nervous system that then creates widespread muscular dysfunctions, etc. This is where craniosacral and myofascial therapy helps reduce the physical and bioenergetic stress on the body’s tissues.

NECK TRAUMA AND FIBROMYALGIA

Buskilia, et al (1997) ¹ describes a study of over 100 patients with neck injuries compared to some 60 patients with leg injuries who were evaluated for the presence of severe pain (fibromyalgia syndrome) 12 months after injury. The findings were that “almost all symptoms were significantly more prevalent or severe in the patients with neck injury. The fibromyalgia prevalence rate in the neck injury group was 13 times greater than the leg fracture group.”

Another theory suggests that fibromyalgia is the end result of a genetically acquired condition, where the kidneys are unable to discharge enough phosphate ions out of the body. A treatment protocol that uses a drug called Guaifenesin is suggested. As a physical therapist, I would be able to help monitor the gradual reduction of the areas of body pain through ‘body mapping’.

FIND A DOCTOR TO OBTAIN A DIAGNOSIS ²

“The first thing to do is to make sure that you have fibromyalgia. You do not need a specialist to make the diagnosis of fibromyalgia – since fibromyalgia causes such diverse symptoms as fatigue, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder, numbness, leg cramps, headaches, and palpitations, your doctor will want to ask you about these and other symptoms as well. After your doctor is satisfied that your symptoms and history suggest fibromyalgia, an examination will follow.”

The quotation refers to a monitored treatment protocol developed by endocrinologist, Dr. R. Paul St. Amand, M.D., using guaifenesin and the avoidance of exposure to all salicylates. In the doctor’s experience, this treatment reverses the entire process of fibromyalgia in an intense cyclic progressive fashion. Mapping the body’s pattern of ‘bumps and lumps’ is strongly recommended for everyone, but particularly if the patient does not experience a clear response of the exacerbation of symptoms while establishing the ideal dosage of guaifenesin for that patient.

Physical therapists are well-suited to help feel and map the progressive reduction of body surface area affected by ‘bumps and lumps’. Without mapping, it is impossible to give any guarantee whether a dose is too low or high or being blocked by salicylates. This body mapping protocol is highly comparable between practitioners and is complemented by the benefits of manual therapy and nutritional therapy that helps deal with additional issues affecting fibromyalgia sufferers.

SLEEP, IMMUNE SYSTEM & FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia and sleep problems go together. It is becoming well known that poor sleep contributes to a weakened immune system. For years there have been increasing numbers of people who have found magnets helpful in dealing with their sleep problems and chronic pains. Recently a group of researchers in the U.S.A. have confirmed that sleeping on a magnetic mattress slept better and had significant pain relief ³.

FOOTNOTES:
1. Buskilia D., Neuman L., et al. 1997. Increased rates of fibromyalgia following cervical spine injury. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 40(3): 446-452
2. St. Amand, R.P. & Market, C.C. 1999. What your doctor may not tell you about fibromyalgia: the revolutionary treatment that can reverse the disease. New York, Warner Books, 392pp.
3. Colbert, A.P., MD, et al. Magnetic Mattress Pad Use in Patients with fibromyalgia: A randomized Double-blind Pilot Study. J. of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 13 (1999) 19-31.

Cranial osteopathy is a branch of osteopathy that makes use of a little known body rhythm to detect and treat restrictions of motion anywhere in the body. The philosophy is the same as that of osteopathy, but the field of interest and the techniques of diagnosis and treatment are different.

This rhythm is called the primary respiratory motion. It involves the whole body including the head, hence the adjective cranial. It is a slow, rolling motion similar in quality to that of an ocean wave. In one phase the whole body (including the head) very slowly and subtly widens, with an accompanying outward rotation of the limbs.
From Upledger and Vredevoogd, Craniosacral Therapy, 1983.
In the opposite phase, the body narrows and the limbs inwardly rotate.
Upledger and Vredevoogd, ibid

This motion is carried throughout the body not only by the nervous system, but also by the fascia or connective tissue that envelops the muscles, bones, and organs. Injuries may cause tightness of the fascia thereby restricting the motion of joints and subtly disturbing body posture. This may lead to stiffness and pain.

With practice and concentration, primary respiratory motion can be felt with the hands. Restrictions of motion can be detected and “tight” areas of the body can be identified. Treatment may consist of a very gentle stretching of tight tissue or “unwinding” of areas of tension. Or alternatively the innate “energetic” (electromagnetic?) properties of the hands may used to create a relaxation of the underlying tissues. As tension is released, the patient often feels a drowsiness, a heaviness of the limbs, and/or a pleasant light-headedness. This typically lasts 15 minutes or more.

In the days or weeks following a treatment, body posture adjusts. Sometimes, but not always, this is uncomfortable with pain felt in the same or a new location. When this occurs, it may be taken as an encouraging sign. Long-standing or complicated problems may take several treatments to resolve. Treatment is performed approximately every three weeks to allow the body to come to a new equilibrium between sessions.

Cranial osteopathy has several advantages over other forms of osteopathic manipulation. The most important one is its ability to treat mechanical problems involving the head. Most people (and this includes physicians) are not aware that the skull is made up (in life) of moving plates of bone. With injury, the bones may not move as freely as they should and (as osteopathic philosophy would predict), consequences arise. The results may be headache or facial pain, problems with the eyes, ears, or sinuses, neckache, or even remote problems such as shoulder bursitis, low back instability, or “growing pains”.

Mechanical problems involving the head are not obvious and are easily overlooked. Usually there is a history of head trauma, but it may have occurred many years before and the connection is not made. The trauma may have been a blow causing disorientation, loss of consciousness or loss of memory but at times it may have not seemed particularly serious. A difficult dental extraction for example, may result in disturbed cranial mechanics, tempero-mandibular joint clicking, and chronic headaches or facial pain.
One of the most potentially dangerous experiences for head mechanics is the birth process. Difficult deliveries, especially ones involving forceps or vacuum extractors can be quite traumatic for the baby’s head. Even caesarian births seem to be associated with disturbances of cranial mechanics, although how this happens is less clear.

Babies injured in this way may present with infant colic or “fussiness”, or, as they grow a little older, with recurring ear infections, or a “lazy eye”. When they reach age six or more, they will often have “growing pains” or nighttime bed-wetting. Headaches may appear at any stage. Children commonly understate these headaches, considering them a normal part of life.

The good news is that many of these conditions are treatable with cranial osteopathy. Most of them require only one or two treatments and are not unpleasant for the baby or young child. They may also prevent problems later in life, such as migraines, low back instability and other musculoskeletal pain problems.

Childhood Indicators of Potential Benefit from Cranial Osteopathy

- birth trauma
- caesarean birth
- infant colic
- excessive thumbsucking
- recurring ear infections
- strabismus (or “lazy eye”)
- “growing pains”
- torticollis (or “wry neck”)
- headache in childhood (including migraine)
- hyperactivity
- dyslexia or other learning disabilities
- cerebral palsy

Adult Indicators of Potential Benefit from Cranial Osteopathy

- musculoskeletal pain of all types, especially those that do not “make sense”
- headache, including migraine
- cranial nerve entrapment, including Bell’s palsy and tic doloureux
- post-traumatic epilepsy
- temperomandibular joint dysfunction
- tinnitus
- intermittent difficulty in visual focusing
- personality change after head or neck trauma
- non-specific balance disturbance
- bruxism (teeth grinding)
- sensitive teeth
- chronic sinus and/or nasal congestion
- recurring shoulder tendonitis and/or bursitis
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- thoracic outlet syndrome
- unstable low back
- non-specific cystitis
- coccygodynia (painful tail bone)
- foot pain, including “plantar fasciitis”