FAQ’s About our Training:
How do I get started?
You need to determine how far you would like to take your Bowen Practice:
1) Use Bowen at home to help family and friends
2) Become certified and practice professionally
Is Bowen therapy covered under 3rd party benefit insurance?
In order to be covered by 3rd party benefit insurance, Bowen must be included in the scope of the practice covered by the patient’s extended medical.
Read more
Third Party benefit insurance is the insurance a patient may have through work or private insurance that may cover or subsidize the cost of their treatments. Policies differ for each company, and within each company. Policy coverage is negotiated between the insurance company and the corporation they provide coverage to. The practitioners who are covered by their extended medical and can therefore bill Bowen therapy under the scope of their practice are:
- Acupuncturists
- Chiropractors
- Naturopaths
- Osteopaths
- Physiotherapists
- Podiatrists/Chiropodists
- Psychologists
- Registered Massage Therapists
- Speech Therapists
Some provinces and certain insurance companies have accepted and covered the Bowen treatments under 3rd party insurance, though this practice is not a universal standard as of yet. Many alumni and practitioners have reported that Pacific Blue Cross has covered the treatments in Alberta, and Maritime Medical has covered treatments in Nova Scotia. Furthermore, we have many patients who have been informed that Pacific Blue Cross has covered their treatments in British Columbia.
The best way to find out if a 3rd party insurance company will cover the treatment is to send in the claims and receipts. A consistent level of claims being submitted for the treatment will only strengthen the case for insurance companies to offer coverage for the treatment. Submitting claims for the treatment reinforces the demand for coverage and demonstrates the effectiveness and pervasiveness of Bowen therapy.
Dr. Manon Bolliger has been working on setting a standard for coverage of Bowen Therapy, for the past five years. As Bowen College is an accredited institution by the Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners, it has fulfilled all requirements and currently has a full 1000 hour graduate program, 3rd party insurance companies are looking to us to set the standards in this emerging field.
Malpractice liability insurance is the insurance a practitioner must procure and maintain to cover themselves in case of accidental harm they may cause during a treatment. It protects a practitioner from being legally liable for malpractice, injury or negligence.
What is the difference between 3rd party benefit insurance and liability insurance?
Third Party benefit insurance is the insurance a patient may have through work or private insurance.
Read more
Third Party benefit insurance is the insurance a patient may have through work or private insurance that may cover or subsidize the cost of their treatments. Policies differ for each company, and within each company. Policy coverage is negotiated between the insurance company and the corporation they provide coverage to. The practitioners who are covered by their extended medical and can therefore bill Bowen therapy under the scope of their practice are:
- Acupuncturists
- Chiropractors
- Naturopaths
- Osteopaths
- Physiotherapists
- Podiatrists/Chiropodists
- Psychologists
- Registered Massage Therapists
- Speech Therapists
Some provinces and certain insurance companies have accepted and covered the Bowen treatments under 3rd party insurance, though this practice is not a universal standard as of yet. Many alumni and practitioners have reported that Pacific Blue Cross has covered the treatments in Alberta, and Maritime Medical has covered treatments in Nova Scotia. Furthermore, we have many patients who have been informed that Pacific Blue Cross has covered their treatments in British Columbia.
The best way to find out if a 3rd party insurance company will cover the treatment is to send in the claims and receipts. A consistent level of claims being submitted for the treatment will only strengthen the case for insurance companies to offer coverage for the treatment. Submitting claims for the treatment reinforces the demand for coverage and demonstrates the effectiveness and pervasiveness of Bowen therapy.
Dr. Manon Bolliger has been working on setting a standard for coverage of Bowen Therapy, for the past five years. As Bowen College is an accredited institution by the Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners, it has fulfilled all requirements and currently has a full 1000 hour graduate program, 3rd party insurance companies are looking to us to set the standards in this emerging field.
Malpractice liability insurance is the insurance a practitioner must procure and maintain to cover themselves in case of accidental harm they may cause during a treatment. It protects a practitioner from being legally liable for malpractice, injury or negligence.
Can I transfer outside credits?
Yes, Bowen College accepts transfer credits from different institutions around the world. Depending on your training background and where you received your training we honor past practical training in Bowen Therapy towards our certification program. Please contact [email protected] for a full assessment upon registration. (link should go to the transfer to Bowen College page)
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If you have received credits from a recognized accredited secondary education institution, like a school for Registered Massage Therapy, Physiotherapy etc., and can provide proof of credits acquired you are exempt from taking the anatomy and physiology courses at Bowen College. Documentation of the completion of these credits is required.
On a case by case basis, Bowen College will accept credits from other Bowen Therapy schools, no matter where your previous training has taken place. If you can provide proof of credits then we are more than excited to have you complete your training with us.
How do we operate in Ontario?
The Bowen College Inc o/a The Bowen College of Natural Healing in Ontario
Do you offer Continuing Education credits?
All of our courses are approved for the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners (CEBHCP) for continuing education credits. Our hands on training is also approved by the CMTBC, CMTNL, and CONO.
In the United States, our program and courses are recognized by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) for continuing education. You will need to check with individual boards not listed here to be sure you are approved for credit.
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How long does it take to become a Certified Bowen Health Therapist?
After taking our Fast Track Program, you will be required to complete a review, an exam, preceptorship and case studies. To complete the entire training can take anywhere between 4-7 months depending on your schedule and class schedules.
About Bowen:
Is Bowen like a massage?
Many people mistake a treatment of Bowen Therapy to the likeness of massage, however, they are not the same. The biggest difference, beside the results, is in the delivery of Bowen Therapy compared to massage. With Bowen Therapy the client/patient will experience significant pauses and breaks between manipulations to allow the body time to receive the new messages/instructions for change. In addition, Bowen Therapy works specifically with the soft tissue (fascia) of the body which lines the entire body and is the delivery system for hydration. The Bowen Therapy moves work with the lymphatic system to allow for detoxification, the parasympathetic system to restore function while decreasing the sympathetically maintained muscle contractions and the propensity for pain loops.
Can you use Bowen with other modalities like massage and acupuncture?
Bowen Therapy is most effective when used alone to address the concern of interest. With this in mind, other modalities such as massage, reiki, acupuncture, (to name a few) are benefited by Bowen Therapies powerful effect on the body. This allows practitioners who specialize in different modalities in their practices to integrate Bowen Therapy into their practices safely and effectively.
About Bowen College:
What is Bowen College’s refund policy?
There are no refunds to registered advanced or regular classes. In case of emergency we will credit the workshop to a future date of your convenience. You can read more about the refund policies by following the link below.
What if a class gets cancelled?
If the college must cancel a class, the college is required to notify all students registered at least two weeks before the class.
How long does the certification program take to complete?
The program was designed to be completed for working and busy adults looking to change or add something more to their careers. Therefore, completion is specific to the individual. That being said, the program is designed to have a student complete the entire program in 8 months to a year depending on where they start in the calendar year and how willing they are to travel. The shortest amount of time recorded to complete has been done in 5 months with the longest stretching 3 years. For everyone, the journey is personal and we encourage all prospective students to talk with a member of our team or registrar to discuss a realistic view of completion and the time you have for study and availability to travel for the practical training portion.
I haven’t taken an exam in forever and I’m nervous. Is there anything I can do to best prepare myself for success?
You are not alone, some of our graduates are coming from backgrounds where they haven’t taken a course in a long time OR they completed their education decades ago. At Bowen College we have a minimum standing of 75% to pass any testable portion of the curriculum. The exam can be completed online and is timed. The majority of questions are multiple choice and based on the completed module understanding as outlined in the syllabus and course materials. You have just under 2 minutes per average short answer questions and longer for longer questions or written questions. There has not been anyone in need of more time for the exams. We encourage you to reach out to your instructor before taking the exam to be sure you are ready.
What if I fail an online course exam?
It doesn’t happen often but it does happen. Whether you are stressed the day of your exam, distracted due to test anxiety, we understand. Not all things are in our control and some days you just don’t feel it. Bowen College holds no academic penalties for failing an exam. If you missed the minimum by a percentage or less than often the issue of feeling rushed is the cause. If it is by a larger margin we encourage you to go back into your modules and textbooks and review to retain understanding. All students who fail must reach out to their instructors, if they have not already reached out, to assess the areas of the exam for which they struggle. A minimum of a week is given before a student can retake an exam.
What makes Bowen College’s curriculum different than other training?
Bowen College is the only recognized training program for Bowen Therapy as approved by the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners (CEBHCP), Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), and the International Institute of Complementary Therapies (IICT).
Our training program offers everything you need under one umbrella where your prerequisites, practical training, practitioner development and business development can be accessed in one institution. The certification program combines the practical training with the practitioner development unlike any other Bowen Training available anywhere.
Our mission to get healing into the hands of everyone starts with being the best practitioner you can be. We have placed emphasis on the importance of aligning yourself as a practitioner in our training program, so that, upon completion you are successful in your practice. The transition from student to practitioner is an amazing one and we look forward to developing your skills and confidence to make a difference.
What sets Bowen College apart from other training schools?
Is Bowen College Training Accredited?
Are your core values aligned with the training institution?
Are your core values aligned with the vision of the training institution
How many hours of practical training will I get?
What pre-reqs and training is required for Certification?
What to expect at our Healing Accelerator Workshop?
I’ve just moved to Canada from Europe, and have a license obtained there, do I have to do anything to practice in Canada?
Bowen College is the only recognized training program for Bowen Therapy as approved by the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners (CEBHCP), Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), and the International Institute of Complementary Therapies (IICT). To obtain malpractice insurance for professional use, all transfers from out of Canada must complete the transfer program for Bowen College to be able to practice in Canada.
How often do I need to take Advanced courses to complete the minimum requirements set by the CEBHCP?
Continuing education credits are needed every two years to keep your certification in good standing with the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners (CEBHCP). A minimum of 32 credits are needed with an attestation sent to the CEBHCP prior to the deadline. All of Bowen College’s Advanced training and workshops are approved for continuing education credit including the business and marketing development program. We also put forth other great courses that we believe will benefit you as a practitioner. As accreditations with different boards needs to be submitted on a yearly basis, best to check with us.
Can I be approved for course exemption if I have taken a prerequisite with another institution?
Yes, you can be as long as you have provided Bowen College with credible credentials for what you have completed and for which you are asking for exemption. This evaluation is through our Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) and upon approval you will be expected to take and pass the exam associated with the course. If you are exempt this does not change the course of the program, merely the requirement to complete the course you are looking for PLAR for. If you should fail the exam you will be required to take the course. If you have signed up for only the one course you will be expected to pay the $100USD exam fee and an additional course cost fee if you fail the course. There are no refunds or credits for PLAR fees or assessment.
Is there a minimum charge for a Bowen treatment once I have graduated?
Yes, all Bowen Practitioners are expected to stay within the average range for a Bowen Therapy treatment as set by the standards of the CEBHCP and various other modalities. This is important because having variable costs associated with Bowen Therapy can cause a lack of credibility to the training of an individual practitioner.
The minimum cost for an initial cost for treatment is: $100.00
The minimum for a followup treatment cost is: $80.00
The maximum as recorded by some practitioners and is very rare but heard of is over $300/visit. This is subject to the practitioner reputation, professional standing (clinic success), results and how long they have been in practice. This does not limit practitioners to run temporary specials or give their time freely in volunteer settings.
Do I have to take the professional development courses for certification?
If you are new to the field of health sciences, or as a practitioner then yes, you are required to complete all the courses and training components as set out by the Bowen College Certification curriculum. They are designed so that you develop as a practitioner and are ready to move forward to develop and be successful in the future.
The only exceptions we have are to those who are seasoned professional practitioners and doctors with 10+ years of successful service in their communities. Please contact [email protected] for a full review of your credentials before registration.
Why did the program change to include more courses?
The program has evolved to include the practitioner development courses as we found many graduates were not using the skills learned in the training program due to a lack of confidence or know how in a clinic setting. As we a Bowen College strive to develop practitioners who are both competent and confident in their abilities we know these courses are essential in making you the best practitioner you can be. The difference in our practitioners and their development are astounding as they move through the program. If you are a practitioner who values learning the skills and treating the client and not just the symptoms you will develop a commitment to health and healing not just for yourself but for the communities you serve.
Do you have a payment plan?
We do not recommend payment plans as the fees are expensive. Instead we recommend you talk with an advisor from our team to discuss payment options to avoid these fees. Please contact [email protected] or schedule a call
Do I need to be Certified if I only want to work on my friends and family?
If you are looking to learn Bowen Therapy but have no desire to charge money you are allowed to practice on family and friends with their permission. At no time are you allowed to call yourself a Bowen Therapist or charge money as you will not have insurance that covers you for malpractice. Still, many people want to be able to incorporate this into their lifestyle so we offer our 4-day Healing Accelerator Workshop and/or our Reboot Home Care Kit to the public as a way for people to learn the modality without having to get certified.
I am a massage therapist in the states, do I get course exemption for anything?
The US and Canada have different requirements for massanage therapists, in Canada the curriculum for a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) is board recognized is an average of 2-years of training. In the United States, the average length of training is 6-months. You may be able to apply for PLAR as outlined in the course exemption question.
Can I travel and do treatments around the world with Bowen Therapy?
Yes! We at Bowen College encourage our graduates to travel and share Bowen therapy treatments with people around the world. If you volunteer in an outreach capacity we want to hear from you and your travels. Please be sure to stay in touch through our private Facebook group: Bowen College Community. In addition, all graduates of Bowen College will receive an optional discounted membership to the International Institute of Complementary Therapies (IICT). This membership recognizes you as a Bowen Therapist worldwide, allowing you to travel and practice as you travel. In addition, they offer additional perks for insurance discounts you may find useful.
I saw a Bowen Therapist once and it didn’t do anything, was I supposed to feel something?
We have heard this in the past, however, not from the graduates we have trained. No two practitioners are equal and no two patients/clients are alike. It is important you feel a connection to your practitioner and are open and willing to commit your time to them to get results. Where one person may feel and see immediate results in 1 session, it is not uncommon for people to need an average of up to 4 visits to start feeling the effects. This is often due to the severity of the issue or condition. Whether or not their are old injuries that need to be addressed before the injury at hand is addressed. Often people will not realize they have experienced a shift but have described a small series of changes not understanding this is the framework for the work being done.
I read everywhere about fascia and fascia work…what exactly is this?
Whether you are new to health sciences or have been well versed in the different components that make up our bodies system, you may have heard this term used in addition to “tissue”, or “matrix”. Put simply, fascia refers to the connective tissue (often referred to as soft tissue) that covers and interpenetrates every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. This connective tissue is exactly as it states it is, “connected”, it is our own bodies interconnected web of communication that connects our parts as a whole. Fascia is thought to be responsible for the optimal health and flow of blood as well as the delivery mechanism for hydration throughout the body. Currently, research on fascia is behind due to traditional medical training teaching this as a crystalline structure where we now know it is not true. The fascia of the body is our own natural, internal protection, a true “superhero” to the optimal function of the body. It is thought that Bowen Therapy addresses fascial restriction and allows for increased circulation and detoxification working alongside the nervous and lymphatic system.
How long does the certification program take to complete?
The program was designed to be completed for working and busy adults looking to change or add something more to their career. Therefore, completion is specific to the individual. That being said, the program was designed to complete the entire program in 8 -18 months, depending on where they start in the calendar year and how willing they are to travel. The shortest amount of time recorded to complete has been done in 5 months with the longest stretching 3 years. The program is designed to allow you room to develop yourself as a practitioner and address your own healing journey, so that you can better hold the healing space for your patients/clients in practice. For everyone, the journey is personal and we encourage all prospective students to talk with a member of our team or registrar to discuss a realistic view of completion and the time you have for study and availability to travel for the practical training portion.
Can the program be done entirely online?
The program is divided up into two parts, an online component and a practical component. Bowen therapy is a hands on modality and therefore the need to have a practical, in person assessment and training is a necessity in providing you with the best in Bowen Therapy training.
What do I do first, now that I have registered?
We encourage all new registered students to take time to explore and familiarize yourself with the Student Course Site so you understand where to find resources and how to connect with your instructor for the course you are taking. Some students have reported taking both Functional Muscle Anatomy and Anatomy & Physiology concurrently as beneficial as these courses are complementary in understanding.
I haven’t taken an exam in forever and I’m nervous. Is there anything I can do to best prepare myself for success?
You are not alone, some of our graduates are coming from backgrounds where they haven’t taken a course in a long time OR they completed their education decades ago. At Bowen College we have a minimum standing of 75% to pass any testable portion of the curriculum. The exam can be completed online and is timed. The majority of questions are multiple choice and based on the completed module understanding as outlined in the syllabus and course materials. You have just under 2 minutes per average short answer questions and longer for longer questions or written questions. There has not been anyone in need of more time for the exams. We encourage you to reach out to your instructor before taking the exam to be sure you are ready.
What if I fail an online course exam?
It doesn’t happen often but it does happen. Whether you are stressed the day of your exam, distracted due to test anxiety, we understand. Not all things are in our control and some days you just don’t feel it. Bowen College holds no academic penalties for failing an exam. If you missed the minimum by a percentage or less than often the issue of feeling rushed is the cause. If it is by a larger margin we encourage you to go back into your modules and textbooks and review to retain understanding. All students who fail must reach out to their instructors, if they have not already reached out, to assess the areas of the exam for which they struggle. A minimum of a week is given before a student can retake an exam.
What if I fail the practical exam?
Upon successful completion of the certification program online courses and requirements you will need to take your final practical and final written examination to be approved for certification with the CEBHCP who issues the CBHT designation. You will take the practical examination the last day of your last practical workshop (Healing Accelerator WorkshopIII). It is rare when someone fails this but it does happen and often because the student has not completed or rushed through their case studies. The importance of practicing your touch and Bowen skills is essential in successful completion of the program. Without this assessment you will not get the same results other practitioners will experience. There are no academic penalties however the cost of returning to retake a qualifying exam is an additional $500USD. We stress to all students to be prepared and complete all necessary components so that you can avoid this fee.
What if I fail the final written exam?
No penalties for the written exam are given however depending on the degree to which you missed the minimum standing you are required to participate in a course question development to successfully outline the areas of the course you may be struggling in. An instructor will be in touch with you and a review of where your understanding is missing will be evaluated before a retake is issued. A minimum standing of 75% must be met to qualify for a PASS.
What makes Bowen College’s curriculum different than other training? https://youtu.be/MWdZJBzaMuk
Bowen College is the only recognized training program for Bowen Therapy as approved by the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners (CEBHCP), Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), and the International Institute of Complementary Therapies (IICT).
Our training program offers everything you need under one umbrella where your prerequisites, practical training, practitioner development and business development can be accessed in one institution. The certification program combines the practical training with the practitioner development unlike any other Bowen Training available anywhere.
Our mission to get healing into the hands of everyone starts with being the best practitioner you can be. We have placed emphasis on the importance of aligning yourself as a practitioner in our training program, so that, upon completion you are successful in your practice. The transition from student to practitioner is an amazing one and we look forward to developing your skills and confidence to make a difference.
I’ve just moved to Canada from Europe, and have a license obtained there, do I have to do anything to practice in Canada?
Bowen College is the only recognized training program for Bowen Therapy as approved by the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners (CEBHCP), Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), and the International Institute of Complementary Therapies (IICT). To obtain malpractice insurance for professional use, all transfers from out of Canada must complete the transfer program for Bowen College to be able to practice in Canada.
How often do I need to take Advanced courses to complete the minimum requirements set by the CEBHCP?
Continuing education credits are needed every two years to keep your certification in good standing with the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners (CEBHCP). A minimum of 32 credits are needed with an attestation sent to the CEBHCP prior to the deadline. All of Bowen College’s Advanced training and workshops are approved for continuing education credit including the business and marketing development program. We also put forth other great courses that we believe will benefit you as a practitioner. As accreditations with different boards needs to be submitted on a yearly basis, best to check with us.
Can I be approved for course exemption if I have taken a prerequisite with another institution?
Yes, you can be as long as you have provided Bowen College with credible credentials for what you have completed and for which you are asking for exemption. This evaluation is through our Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) and upon approval you will be expected to take and pass the exam associated with the course. If you are exempt this does not change the course of the program, merely the requirement to complete the course you are looking for PLAR for. If you should fail the exam you will be required to take the course. There are no refunds or credits for PLAR fees or assessment.
Is there a minimum charge for a Bowen treatment once I have graduated?
Yes, all Bowen Practitioners are expected to stay within the average range for a Bowen Therapy treatment as set by the standards of the CEBHCP and various other modalities. This is important because having variable costs associated with Bowen Therapy can cause a lack of credibility to the training of an individual practitioner.
The minimum cost for an initial cost for treatment is: $100.00
The minimum for a followup treatment cost is: $80.00
The maximum as recorded by some practitioners and is very rare but heard of is over $300/visit. This is subject to the practitioner reputation, professional standing (clinic success), results and how long they have been in practice. This does not limit practitioners to run temporary specials or give their time freely in volunteer settings.
Do I have to take the professional development courses for certification?
If you are new to the field of health sciences, or as a practitioner then yes, you are required to complete all the courses and training components as set out by the Bowen College Certification curriculum. They are designed so that you develop as a practitioner and are ready to move forward to develop and be successful in the future.
The only exceptions we have are to those who are seasoned professional practitioners and doctors with 10+ years of successful service in their communities. Please contact [email protected] for a full review of your credentials before registration.
Why did the program change to include more courses?
The program has evolved to include the practitioner development courses as we found many graduates were not using the skills learned in the training program due to a lack of confidence or know how in a clinic setting. As we a Bowen College strives to develop practitioners who are both competent and confident in their abilities we know these courses are essential in making you the best practitioner you can be. The difference in our practitioners and their development are astounding as they move through the program. If you are a practitioner who values learning the skills and treating the client and not just the symptoms you will develop a commitment to health and healing not just for yourself but for the communities you serve.
Do you have a payment plan?
We do not have a payment plan for students, however, if you are looking for full certification you are able to pay separately for each program necessary to qualify for certification. This allows you to complete the program at the financial investment you are comfortable with. We recommend you talk with an advisor from our team to discuss where you should start in the program. Please contact [email protected] or schedule a call.
Do I need to be Certified if I only want to work on my friends and family?
If you are looking to learn Bowen Therapy but have no desire to charge money you are allowed to practice on family and friends with their permission. At no time are you allowed to call yourself a Bowen Therapist or charge money as you will not have insurance that covers you for malpractice. Still, many people want to be able to incorporate this into their lifestyle so we offer our 4-day Healing Accelerator Workshop and/or our Reboot Home Care Kit to the public as a way for people to learn the modality without having to get certified.
I am a massage therapist in the states, do I get course exemption for anything?
The US and Canada have different requirements for massage therapists. In Canada the curriculum for a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) is board recognized and an average of 2-years of training. In the United States, the average length of training is 6-months. You may be able to apply for PLAR as outlined in the course exemption question.
Can I travel and do treatments around the world with Bowen Therapy?
Yes! We at Bowen College encourage our graduates to travel and share Bowen therapy treatments with people around the world. If you volunteer in an outreach capacity we want to hear from you and your travels. Please be sure to stay in touch through our private Facebook group: Bowen College Community. In addition, all graduates of Bowen College will receive an optional discounted membership to the International Institute of Complementary Therapies (IICT). This membership recognizes you as a Bowen Therapist worldwide, allowing you to travel and practice as you travel. In addition, they offer additional perks for insurance discounts you may find useful.
What is the difference between Bowen Therapy, BowenFirstTM, Bowen Technique, Original Bowen etc.?
There are many names to Bowen Therapy in the world today. This is because at the time of Tom Bowen’s life he trained 6 individuals to take his work into the world after he died. To each of these apprentices he taught different parts of what he had discovered to be a never ending work in progress and to which we now call Bowen Therapy. By sharing his teachings this way, he was, essentially creating a variation of his work from different perspectives. What we hear of now as the, “original Bowen” is actually a reflection of Tom Bowen’s original way of assessing people. Bowtech and Bowenwork made it a basic training. Bowen College has taken training a step further in showing students how to put treatments together as well as incorporating the mental and emotional component to healing. In addition to this, students get a chance to receive treatment and learn all the moves as they work together and the training is taught as a unified whole and not in separate components. The results of this have allowed students to gain more treatment practice focusing on the application of Bowen Therapy that makes a difference to the client/patient.
I saw a Bowen Therapist once and it didn’t do anything, was I supposed to feel something?
We have heard this from people in the past, however, not from the graduates we have trained. No two practitioners are equal and no two patients/clients are alike. It is important, you feel a connection to your practitioner and are open and willing to commit your time to heal to get results. Where one person may feel and see immediate results in 1 session, some require more sessions. It is not uncommon for people to need an average of up to 4 visits to start feeling the effects. This is often due to the severity of the issue or condition. Whether or not there are old injuries that need to be addressed before the injury at hand is addressed. Often people will not realize they have experienced a shift but have described a small series of changes not understanding this is the framework for the work being done.
I read everywhere about fascia and fascia work…what exactly is this?
Whether you are new to health sciences or have been well versed in the different components that make up our bodies system, you may have heard this term used in addition to “tissue”, or “matrix”. Put simply, fascia refers to the connective tissue (often referred to as soft tissue) that covers and interpenetrates every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. This connective tissue is exactly as it states it is, “connected”, it is our own bodies interconnected web of communication that connects our parts as a whole. Fascia is thought to be responsible for the optimal health and flow of blood as well as the delivery mechanism for hydration throughout the body. Currently, research on fascia is behind due to traditional medical training teaching this as a crystalline structure where we now know it is not true. The fascia of the body is our own natural, internal protection, a true “superhero” to the optimal function of the body. It is thought that Bowen Therapy addresses fascial restriction and allows for increased circulation and detoxification working alongside the nervous and lymphatic system.
What types of injuries and conditions does Bowen Therapy treat?
Numerous case studies and clinical experience from therapists during practice record an improvement of structural differences or abnormalities and a reduction of pain for the overall wellness of the person. Some of these conditions include, but not limited to, frozen shoulder, scoliosis, injuries caused by accidents, sports injuries, enuresis, etc. Bowen Therapy has been used in treatments for people who suffer from the effects of the following; Parkinsons, MS, stroke, Diabetes, depression, high blood pressure…to name a few. Please see our testimonials HERE
What are the differences between:
Bowen Therapy & Chiropractic Manipulation
A simplistic way to explain the difference and keeping in mind that there are numerous very different ways of practicing Chiropractry but here it is: Chiropracters tend to focus on “forcing” the bones back into alignment and hoping the muscles are relaxed enough to accept the adjustment- and the nervous system is dealt with by analogy. BowenFirst(™) therapist are trained to work with the nervous system, which relaxes the muscles and thus allows the bones to go back into place. The primary difference is force versus preparing the body to do what it does best- which is allowing itself to heal. When Chiropractors have taken Bowen, they have learned to witness how the body can correct scoliosis by releasing the musculature that is pulling the bones out of alignment.
Bowen Therapy vs. Rolfing
Rolfing is typically more forceful but this time with soft tissue and organs.Rolfing ® is a service mark of the Rolf Institute of structural Integration, ® Boulder, CO. * The goals of each of Rolf’s 10 sessions and those of several derivative systems of SI have been detailed in a series of articles by Tom Myers. When Rolfers have taken Bowen training, they have learned to attract the change rather than force things into place. Both can be effective depending on what you feel your body needs. Many clients prefer a gentler approach as Rolfing can be quite painful.
Bowen Therapy vs. Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. This essential “time element” has to do with the viscous flow and the piezoelectric phenomenon: a low load (gentle pressure) applied slowly will allow a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to elongate.
Trauma, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures create Myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures that do not show up in many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc.)
The use of Myofascial Release allows us to look at each patient as a unique individual. Our one-on-one therapy sessions are hands-on treatments during which our therapists use a multitude of Myofascial Release techniques and movement therapy. We promote independence through education in proper body mechanics and movement, self treatment instruction, enhancement of strength, improved flexibility, and postural and movement awareness.
MFR has origins in soft tissue mobilization, osteopathy, physical therapy, craniosacral therapy and energy work, among others, and all have become subtly blended to form what has been known as Myofascial Release for a number of decades. John F. Barnes has played a major role in myofascial therapy and has pioneered a sustained pressure MFR approach that is now being recognised by scientific research.
MFR is a treatment approach, a therapy and rehabilitation tool. It is a hands-on therapy, meaning that the therapist applies pressure with the hands onto, and into, the client’s body. The therapist addresses the tissue barrier of resistance by feeling for tightness, restrictions and adhesions in any plane that may be causing pain or dysfunction. MFR is a client-led therapy involving communication between the therapist and client and actively promoting feedback on the responses to the treatment and body awareness.
The myofascial release training is a part of the Registered Massage Training (RMT) in Canada but may not be part of the curriculum for other countries and multiple designations of Massage Therapy. The results observed and felt with Bowen Therapy uses a type of myofascial release which addresses meridians and nervous systems as well as all systems in the body rather than specific muscle groups that are in acute pain. The training to become certified as a Bowen Therapist is complementary to the training of Massage Therapists and Myofascial Release Practitioners and offers an additional tool for a practitioner to use when addressing the clients concerns. Bowen Therapy provides a shorter treatment length with more direct results and a gentler approach to the body which clients and patients can benefit from.
Bowen Therapy vs. Craniosacral Release
Though similar in gentleness and trust that body can unravel and heal- craniosacral therapy relies more on the acquired skills of its practitioners to “read” the body properly and then “respond” appropriately. This makes more amazing therapists as well as not so much so. Bowen is a methodology that has predictable results and though the experience of a practitioner comes into play as it does in all “art” of a practice, results are more reliable. Bowen training is significantly shorter for more reliable results.
Are there restrictions with Bowen Therapy?
Can I concurrently work with a Bowen Therapist and a Chiropractor?
The issue is both time and financial management. If you do two therapies at the same time it is impossible to evaluate the impact the one is having. I prefer to tell people to finish the one therapy and evaluate how the body is responding and then evaluate the other.
A comment online states: I read that you can’t see your chiropractor for at least 2 days before and a week after your Bowen Therapy sessions “because it would “shock” the nerve endings and essentially, negate the Bowen Therapy session. Is this true?
It is just putting a different signal to the body so it interferes with what the body is processing. It is true of all modalities and bowen is not particular there.
What type of FirstAid do I require as a Certified Bowen Health Therapist (CBHT)?
Graduates of Bowen College who desire to work as professionals in their field are expected to have the Standard First Aid with CPR/AED Level C as a minimum requirement to qualify for certification with the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners (CEBHCP).
For those who are professionals in an additional field, such as, Naturopathy, Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Medicine, Osteopaths, etc. you may be required by your designation to keep a Health Care Professional Level of training for FirstAid. In this case, you would need to attend the BLS level of training with an additional training component which is good for 1-year. Formerly known as Health Care Provider (HCP), this Red Cross approved level of CPR/AED Training is a 2-day training designed specifically for the health care professionals looking to renew their current certification or receive their certification for the first time.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Professionals certification is good for 1-year and renewal is taken annually. The BLS certification has an additional hour of training to cover topics, not in the Standard Level C certification. Both levels are offered through Bowen College Inc.
Direct Links for FAQs
FAQ 1 Is Bowen College Training Accredited? – https://youtu.be/-kF9AQY9Gco
FAQ 2 How many hours of practical training will I get? https://youtu.be/YTOqevZLAdM
FAQ 3 Is your practical training mostly Online? https://youtu.be/gU4kREP4XOU
FAQ 4 What pre-reqs and training is required for Certification? https://youtu.be/49NhOL55Tw0
FAQ 5 Are your core values aligned with the vision of the training institution https://youtu.be/0sXXNBCjHEQ
What sets Bowen College apart from other training schools? https://youtu.be/MWdZJBzaMuk
What to expect at our Healing Accelerator Workshop? https://youtu.be/8kEr18vqaEE