What Is Bowen Therapy?
Bowen is a hands-on therapy that involves gentle and skillful maneuvering of the connective tissue (Fascia) over muscles, tendons and ligaments across the horse's body.
The precise location of the Bowen moves correlate with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) meridian systems, acupressure points and myofascial trigger points. It also stimulates the lymphatic system, resulting in effective release of toxins and metabolic waste.
Bowen promotes the body's natural healing system and is very effective in relieving pain and discomfort, increasing range of motion, suppleness and flexibility.
Bowen is suitable for all horses, performance or retired, acute or chronic conditions.
The connective web
A Bit About Fascia
Fascia is responsible for allowing free, unrestricted movement of each muscle and muscle group, whilst holding everything in place.
Fascia is a connective tissue that holds the body together. At its superficial level, it lies just beneath the skin. Fascia organises muscles into functional groups, wraps individual muscles, gathers the ends of muscles into tendons, binds specific tissues into organ shapes and holds them in place, forms the walls of lymph and blood vessels.
When there is injury or stress to the body, the Fascia responds by becoming hard and dehydrated. This results in stiffness, impingement of nerves and restriction of movement, causing pain and discomfort.
Bowen therapy is able to release the hardened Fascia through manual stimulation. The Fascia becomes hydrated again, which brings nutrients back to the tissues and allows the body's own internal healing process to begin.