Bowen Therapy in Calgary: What Is It and Who Can Benefit?

If you are dealing with chronic pain, muscle tension, an old injury that never quite seems to go away, headaches, shoulder pain, sciatica or plantar fascitis, then you may be looking for a treatment that is gentle rather than aggressive.

This is one of the reasons I love Bowen Therapy.

I have been using Bowen Therapy in my Calgary naturopathic practice for many years, and it has become one of the treatments I use most frequently with patients experiencing pain, tension and musculoskeletal problems.

One of the things I love most about Bowen is that the treatment itself is very gentle. There is no deep tissue massage and no need for forceful manipulation. Instead, I use very precise, gentle movements over muscles, tendons and connective tissues while you relax on the treatment table.

For many people, Bowen Therapy can be a wonderfully relaxing treatment while also addressing areas of tension and discomfort.

A lot of my patients are surprised by how gentle yet how powerful this treatment is, and I always tell them not to be fooled by how gentle it is. I have been doing Bowen on my patients since 2006 and have treated a lot of different health concerns with this unique therapy.

What Is Bowen Therapy?

Bowen Therapy is a gentle form of bodywork that uses specific movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments and surrounding soft tissue.

During a treatment, you generally lie comfortably on a treatment table while I work on specific areas of the body. The movements are gentle and are performed in a particular sequence depending on your individual concerns.

Bowen Therapy is often chosen by people who do not want an aggressive treatment or who find deep massage uncomfortable.

Why Do I Use Bowen Therapy So Often in My Practice?

Over the years, I have found Bowen Therapy to be a valuable treatment option for many of my patients.

One of the reasons I like it is that the treatment does not have to be painful to be effective.

When someone has been experiencing pain for a long time, the muscles around an injured or irritated area can become chronically tight. Sometimes an old injury continues to affect how a person moves long after the original injury occurred.

Bowen gives me another gentle way to work with these patterns.

I also find that many patients deeply appreciate how relaxing the treatment can be. My goal is not simply to focus on the painful area, but to look at the person as a whole and understand what may be contributing to the problem. If you are coming in with knee pain for example, my Bowen Therapy will not only focus on your knee but also your low back, hips, IT bands, quadriceps, hamstrings, and ankles!

Another reason I love Bowen Therapy is that it helps patients get into parasympathetic mode (rest and digest), where they can fully relax, breathe properly, and unwind after days of chronic stress and tension. This is very important to balancing the chronic sympathetic states (fight and flight) that we tend to live in these days.

What Conditions Can Bowen Therapy Help With?

Bowen Therapy can be used for many different types of pain and tension.

In my Calgary practice, I commonly use Bowen Therapy for:

• Back pain
• Sciatica
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Frozen shoulder
• Joint pain
• Muscle tension and tightness
• Sports injuries
• Old injuries and areas of lingering pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Tendonitis
• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Headaches and migraines
• TMJ tension
• Menstrual cramps
• Arthritis-related pain and stiffness
• Scoliosis
• Patellofemoral Syndrome

Of course, every person is different. During an appointment, I look at your health history, symptoms, injuries and contributing factors to determine whether Bowen Therapy is an appropriate option for you.

Bowen Therapy for Back Pain and Sciatica

Back pain is one of the reasons people often seek out Bowen Therapy.

When you have back pain, there may be tension not only in the painful area but also through the hips, glutes, legs and surrounding muscles.

With sciatica, for example, I may work with the muscles of the lower back, glutes and legs rather than focusing exclusively on the area where the pain is felt.

Bowen can be particularly appealing to people who are looking for a gentle approach to muscular tension associated with back and leg pain.

Bowen Therapy for Neck and Shoulder Tension

Do you constantly feel like your neck and shoulders are tight? Are you often clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth?

Maybe you spend much of your day at a computer, drive frequently, work with your hands, exercise regularly, or simply carry a lot of stress in your neck and shoulders.

Over time, this tension can contribute to:

• Neck stiffness
• Shoulder discomfort
• Tension headaches
• Reduced range of motion (such as difficulty shoulder checking while driving)
• Upper back tightness

Stress can also contribute to physical tension. In my practice, Bowen Therapy is one of the modalities I use when patients experience the physical effects of stress, including tight neck and shoulders, headaches and muscular aches.

Bowen Therapy for Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder can be incredibly frustrating.

The shoulder may become painful and increasingly difficult to move, making everyday activities such as getting dressed, reaching overhead or sleeping comfortably much more difficult.

Bowen Therapy is one of the approaches I have used with patients experiencing frozen shoulder. In my practice, treatments are individualized according to the person’s symptoms, mobility and overall health picture.

I find that I see a lot of postmenopausal women with frozen shoulder, and so investigating hormones is something I will typically do in addition to Bowen Therapy, along with other Naturopathic Medicine modalities.

Bowen Therapy for Old Injuries

Have you ever injured yourself years ago and thought:

“Why is this still bothering me?”

An old sports injury, fall, car accident or other trauma can sometimes continue to affect how your body moves.

You may not even experience constant pain. Instead, you may notice recurring tightness, stiffness, restricted movement or an area that seems to “flare up” every so often.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy working with Bowen Therapy.

It gives me a gentle way to work with areas that may have developed persistent patterns of tension following an injury.

I often tell my patients that we don’t necessarily need to force the body to change. Sometimes a gentle approach is exactly what the body responds to best. Especially when an area is very irritated or inflamed, an aggressive treatment could just aggravate it further. Bowen is gentle enough that it rarely aggravates pain (although, in some cases it can).

Bowen Therapy for Headaches and Migraines

Headaches and migraines can have many different contributing factors.

Muscle tension through the neck, shoulders and upper back can be one piece of the puzzle for some people.

Bowen Therapy may be used as part of an individualized approach when muscular tension is contributing to headaches or migraines.

I have used Bowen Therapy with patients experiencing migraines and tension headaches, and it is one of the conditions I commonly discuss when determining whether Bowen may be appropriate.

When it comes to headaches and migraines I also typically look at a patients diet, hydration, sleep, stress, and supplementation, but Bowen Therapy is a wonderful adjunct to these modalities and can work amazingly for headaches and migraines.

 

Bowen Therapy for Plantar Fascitis

Plantar Fascitis is a very common health concern I see in my practice.

It interferes with a patient’s quality of life, and their ability to exercise and travel.

I use Bowen Therapy often for my treatment of plantar fascitis, and in these treatments I focus on the low back, hip flexors, hamstrings, knees and ankles.

What Does a Bowen Therapy Treatment Feel Like?

This is one of the most common questions I receive.

Bowen Therapy is gentle.

You relax on the treatment table while I perform specific movements over different areas of the body. I perform a couple of moves, leave the room for a few minutes, and come back and do some more moves, and leave the room again for a few minutes. These pauses allow your body to integrate the treatment. The treatment lasts approximately 45 minutes.

You should not expect the type of deep pressure associated with a deep tissue massage, however when muscles are tight they can absolutely be tender or sore with some of the procedures.

Many people find the treatment extremely relaxing. In fact, one of the things I often hear from patients is how relaxed they feel during and after their Bowen session.

My goal is to create a calm environment where your body can relax while we address the areas that are causing you discomfort.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

There isn’t one answer that applies to everyone.

Some people come to me with a recent injury, while others have been dealing with pain or tension for years.

The number and frequency of treatments depends on factors such as:

• How long you have had the problem
• The severity of your symptoms
• Whether there was an injury
• Your overall health
• How your body responds to treatment
• Whether we are addressing one area or several contributing factors

I prefer to reassess as we go rather than automatically scheduling a large number of treatments in advance.

Treatments are spaced out by 5-10 days.

What Happens After a Bowen Therapy Treatment?

Many people feel very relaxed following their treatment. It is common to feel tired the day of the treatment, and less frequently, the day after.

I generally recommend taking it a little easier for the rest of the day and paying attention to how your body feels.

You may notice changes in areas other than the original area of discomfort as your body responds to the treatment.

I also encourage patients to stay well hydrated and to pay attention to changes in pain, tension and mobility following their appointment. The treatment is causing adjustments in your muscle patterns for up to 5 days after your treatment, so paying attention to changes in your body over this time span can give us good information.

Most importantly, I want you to communicate with me about what you have experienced when I see you next. Your response helps me determine how we should approach your next treatment in terms of how many procedures I should do in one session, new areas that need to be addressed, and more.

Is Bowen Therapy the Same as Massage?

No.

Although you may be lying on a treatment table for both, Bowen Therapy and massage are different types of bodywork.

Massage generally involves more continuous manipulation of the muscles and soft tissues.

Bowen Therapy uses specific, gentle movements followed by periods where the body is allowed to respond while I leave the treatment room.

Some patients who do not enjoy deep massage actually prefer Bowen because of how gentle it is.

Is Bowen Therapy the Same as Acupuncture?

No, although both can be very relaxing and may be used in a naturopathic treatment plan.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles at specific points.

Bowen Therapy does not use needles.

Depending on your individual situation, I may recommend Bowen Therapy, acupuncture, or a combination of approaches.

For example, someone experiencing chronic pain may benefit from addressing muscular tension with Bowen while also using acupuncture and lifestyle strategies to address other contributing factors.

Bowen Therapy as Part of a Bigger Treatment Plan

One of the advantages of seeing a naturopathic doctor is that we don’t have to look at your symptoms in isolation.

If you come to me with chronic shoulder pain, for example, I don’t only want to know where it hurts.

I want to know:

• When did it start?
• Was there an injury?
• What makes it better or worse?
• How is your sleep?
• Are you under a lot of stress?
• How is your energy?
• What does your daily activity look like?
• Are there other symptoms occurring at the same time?

Sometimes the painful area is only one piece of a much bigger picture.

This is why Bowen Therapy can work particularly well within a naturopathic practice. It can be one part of a personalized treatment plan that may also include acupuncture, nutrition, lifestyle counselling and other appropriate naturopathic therapies.

Why Choose Bowen Therapy in Calgary?

If you live in Calgary and are looking for a gentle approach to pain, tension or an old injury, Bowen Therapy may be worth exploring.

At Naturopathic Vitality Acupuncture and Wellness Clinic, I have been incorporating Bowen Therapy into my practice since 2006.

I genuinely enjoy this treatment because it allows me to work with patients in a very gentle way, particularly those who are tired of aggressive treatments or who simply want another option for managing pain and tension.

My approach is always individualized.

There is no “one treatment fits everyone.”

Could Bowen Therapy Be Right for You?

If you are experiencing:

• Chronic muscle tension
• Back or neck pain
• Sciatica
• Shoulder problems
• Frozen shoulder
• Headaches or migraines
• An old sports injury
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Plantar fasciitis
• Tendonitis
• Carpal tunnel symptoms
• TMJ tension
• Or another musculoskeletal concern

I would be happy to discuss whether Bowen Therapy may be appropriate for you.

You don’t have to wait until your pain becomes unbearable before looking for another option.

Sometimes the gentlest approach can be a very good place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bowen Therapy in Calgary

Is Bowen Therapy painful?

Bowen Therapy is generally a very gentle treatment. It does not involve the deep pressure associated with some forms of massage.

How long is a Bowen Therapy appointment?

Treatment length can vary depending on the individual and what we are addressing. Your appointment will be tailored to your needs but is generally 45 to 60 minutes long.

Can Bowen Therapy help with chronic pain?

Bowen Therapy is commonly used as part of an individualized approach to chronic pain and muscular tension. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on your specific health history and symptoms.

Can Bowen Therapy help an old injury?

Yes. Old injuries are one of the reasons people seek Bowen Therapy. The treatment may be used to address lingering muscle tension, stiffness and discomfort following an injury.

Do I need a referral to see a naturopathic doctor for Bowen Therapy?

You can contact me at my clinic directly to discuss whether Bowen Therapy is appropriate for your concerns and to book in for this treatment. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you might have about if this treatment could be helpful for you!

 

Dr. Ramona Charikar, BScH, ND

Naturopathic Vitality Acupuncture and Wellness Clinic

205-5403 Crowchild Trail NW

Calgary, AB

(403) 719-2594