Gathering place for osteopaths
Bowen Therapy
Do any of you incorporate "Bowen Therapy" with your regular "Ten-fingered" OMT? I started doing his a couple of years ago, and I find it greatly enhances the effects of OMT, and saves the operator a lot of energy - and because of my pulmonary fibrosis - anything that can save the operator energy catches my attention!
Don Farrow, D.O.
Don Farrow, D.O.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Quatermass on -
Hi Don,
"greatly enhances the effects of omt"
What were the characteristics of your OMT previously? Global or local? Did you include other forms of soft tissue manipulation?
I do not use Bowen but have heard from experienced osteopaths comments in the same vein as yours. There is no doubt in my mind that prior effective reduction in muscle hypertonus increases the effectiveness of joint manipulation ("manipulation" in the widest sense), or that global work is more effective than local work. But does Bowen have an advantage over other STM?
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Permalink Reply by Dr Donald Craig Farrow on -
I have a routine that every patient goes through with every visit. The patient gets a "Spinalator" treatment for 8 - 10 minutes, then soft tissue, which is the most important part of any Tx., and usually takes another 8 - 10 minutes, then they receive a complete HVLA manipulation from SI to AO. They make arrangements for the next visit according to how they feel. The easiest thing to do is to over-treat, or do too much, and I tell the patient that they will know best how they feel after several days. I don't like to treat the same patient twice in a weeks time. Many times they will feel worse the day following a treatment, and I explain to them that is a good sign because that shows they are maintaining the the corrections that were made. (They should NEVER use a heating pad at home, as a form of therapy, because that will make things worse!)
The biggest practice builders, for me these last fifty+ years, has been 1. using a Spinalator, and 2. not purposefully scheduling a next appointment.
Upon discovering "Bowen" Techniques, I find it does a wonderful job of relaxing the muscle spasm & muscle tenderness following just a few minutes of traditional soft tissue treatment and prepares the patient for the HVLA manipulation. (And it saves me a lot of energy!)
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Permalink Reply by Dr Donald Craig Farrow on
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I'm sorry that I didn't reply to this earlier. Somehow I missed it. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "Global or local". I give each patient the old "ten fingered" type of soft tissue manipulation, to both the right and left para-spinal groups, from T-1 to L5. I feel this is the most important part of the treatment. Before incorporating Bowen, the soft tissue was probably three to five minutes on each side - depending on the muscular, or tissue response .
It wasn't until after my two bouts of pneumonia, and ending up with COPD, that I realized just how much energy it takes to give a good OMT! I am sure you know, that after the infection of pneumonia is cleared, it takes 12 - 16 weeks just to get over the weakness it causes, and can leave one with quite an energy deficit.
Bowen doesn't save time, because of the two minute pauses, but it sure saves me energy! And anything that saves me energy, I am all for it. I think that the Bowen techniques really do a little better than the traditional Osteopathic soft tissue techniques, so I combine them. Because old habits are hard to break, I still give about half the soft tissue manipulation I always did. It takes longer to give a treatment this way, but I think the outcome is a little better. And, the patients seem to love it!
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Permalink Reply by Dr Donald Craig Farrow on
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I feel that scheduling a next appointment is too much like the Chiropractors. They tend to over treat and do too much, which is the easiest thing to do. I think the best approach is summed up by that old saying, " Find it, fix it and forget it, or leave it alone". The patients then think I am not just treating them for the money. I have an old business card of a Chiropractor which has numbers around the margins from one to thirty five. He would tell the patient that if he signed up today, he could have 35 treatments for the price of thirty. Then each time the patient showed up for a treatment the Chiropractor would "punch' the ticket (the business card). I have had many patients who couldn't walk upright and were in agony from "Back Pain" after seeing their Chiropractor. He insisted they needed three or four treatments (or "adjustments") a week!
As far as the HVLA Treatment I use, it is not treating the individual segments. This is not necessary. I thrust the SI on both sides, which usually carry any Lumbar lesions with it. I have rarely found that following this technique, any Lumbar lesion present,. (Of course, you must re-check for any lesions after the treatment.) Usually three thrusting techniques in the thoracic spinal area - both sides. Then I only only correct the individual lesions found in the cervical spinal area.
After giving some "ten fingered' soft tissue treatment to both left & right - para spinal group, I will then use the Bowen Technique throughout the lumbar and thoracic para spinal areas. Most of the time I use the Bowen Technique three times, with the two minute pause in between, which Thomas Bowen said was so important, because during the break there is a cascading of reflexes that occur which almost puts any spastic muscle to sleep, it relaxes them so. You ought to investigate Bowen therapy, I think you would find it fascinating. In the US Bowen Therapy is mostly done by Massage Therapists. There is a lot regarding Bowen Therapy available on the internet. Just google "Bowen Therapy".
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Permalink Reply by Theodore Jordan on -
Bowen approach really intrigues me. I have seen a presentation of it though I have never tried it nor experienced it. From what I understand, the basics are
1. a gentle stretching of muscle with a force perpendicular to the fibres -
2. repeat the same stretch on the opposite side
3. allow a two minute break while the patient simply rests
4. repeat this on different muscle groups.
(did i summarize this well enough?)
What fascinates me is the bilateral application of force, in light of recent studies of body mapping, laterality, crossing midline, etc., this could be quite important for the brain's integration - or reintegration - of muscular forces.
Secondly, The two minute break reminds me of the 90 -120 second held positions used in Jones' Strain-Counterstrain. Both techniques suggest that it takes this amount of time for the body to 'reset' its neuromuscular control. This may lead to a profound insight into how the neuromuscular system works.
This thread has gotten me excited to try the Bowen approach!
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Permalink Reply by Dr Donald Craig Farrow on
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Hi, Theodore,
I spent the last 45+ minutes writing to you about Bowen Therapy, etc., and I went to look for a certain website to send you the info about, and now when I comeback to finish the reply it -- somehow it just vanished! (Is there a time limit to write a reply?) I'm kind of new to all of this, and wonder if it could have vanished to you? Anyway, it is way past my bedtime right now, but here is a web site of a man I know (former Podiatrist) who is doing Bowen therapy now. I purchased a DVD from him in which he demonstrates a complete Bowen treatment. His stuff is very good, and he is a real nice man ever willing to help whoever asks him for it.
If you didn't get my first attempt at answering your questions, Let me know and I'll try to do it again tomorrow.
Cordially,
Dr. Farrow
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Permalink Reply by Quatermass on
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Hi Don,
I'd like to see the website you mention. Could you post the address?
Many thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Dr Donald Craig Farrow on
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Hi, Robert,
I am sorry to take so long to answer your note, but I had a lot trouble locating the web site of Dr. Mosher. His E-Bay site is not working right. But – alas(!) - I found it. It is a very good site. I became acquainted with Dr Mosher three or four years ago when I ordered his DVD and some literature from his E-Bay site. In his book he mentioned Dr. Larry Jones but had his first name wrong. Since I knew Dr. Jones, I immediately sent Dr. Mosher an e-mail to correct it, and afterward we shared many e-mails. His web site is: http://www.bowenhomestudy.com/. Dr. Mosher is a podiatrist, and after suffering with low back pain for a dozen years, he received a Bowen treatment and became so enthused he wanted to use it on his podiatric patients, but his license prevented him from treating any thing above the ankle. He then got massage therapy training so he could use Bowen Therapy in his practice.
After meeting with Dr. Jones and learning the counter strain techniques, I told him that “I now felt like a 'fulfilled Osteopath'”. But now with Bowen Therapy added to my “armamentarium” I have quite a “tool chest”. If you will take the time to read Dr. Mosher's case studies, I am sure you will become greatly enthused about Bowen Therapy, too.
There are only a few book about Bowen Therapy. The one I think is best is by a fellow named Gene Dobkin. It's a two volume set of spiral bound books. I have a copy of volume I which has become quite tattered and worn from usage. It has the best illustrations of applying the techniques. I have not seen volume II, but plan to obtain it. Dobkin seems to be quite a teacher. His web site is: http//www.usbowen.com. The other book is called: “Bowen Therapy: Tom Bowen's Gift to the World” by Frank Navratil. It is available at Amazon.com. It too is quite detailed about the treatments.
When I was teaching at our local Osteopathic college, a Bowen therapist from Arizona visited the school to acquaint the faculty and the students with Bowen Therapy, and that was the one day that semester I couldn't get to school because I was so busy in the office. I did get copies of his hand-outs, but they certainly didn't mean much without hearing the accompanying lecture.
There's a lot of interesting stories about Thomas Ambrose Bowen. He lived in Australia. He only had one leg, so he hopscotched the landscape of Australia for many years with a crutch or prosthesis. Then just before he died he had to have the other leg amputated. And just before he died, he demonstrated a Bowen treatment to four or five of his men friends, and after he died they took it to the rest of the world, and now there are schools teaching Bowen therapy.. It is very popular there in Great Britain, I understand.
He was nearly stone deaf, wore two hearing aids, but still couldn't hear anything. Also, he called himself an Osteopath. In fact, he went to the Australian Osteopathic Association one day and asked them if they would please issue him a license. That way, most of his patients who were poor people, could collect on their insurance. They told him they would love to give him a license but they couldn't do that because he never went to school! Well, that didn't stop, him he'd go back every four or five months and ask them again. Finally, they told him to come back 60 days and they would give him a test, and if he passed the exam, they would be glad to issue him a license so his patients could collect on their insurance. He about floated out of that building he was so happy. He “studied his buns off” – but failed the exam. He said that was the biggest disappointment of his life. But he continued to call himself a D.O. He once said he never kept any records, but after he died (in the early eighties, I think) they found he did keep records one year, and that year he gave over 13,000 treatments. That's like 250 a week!
I could go on and on, but I have to stop. I certainly didn't mean for this to become “epistle” length when I started, but as you can see, I easily get quite verbose about things I like. Should you have any more questions, please ask. I'll try to be more brief next time. I had a professor that said there are never any dumb or stupid questions, only dumb or stupid answers.
Don
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Permalink Reply by Dr Donald Craig Farrow on
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Hi, Michael,
I am sorry to take so long to answer your note, but I had a lot trouble locating the web site of Dr. Mosher. His E-Bay site is not working right. But – alas(!) - I found it. It is a very good site. I became acquainted with Dr Mosher three or four years ago when I ordered his DVD and some literature from his E-Bay site. In his book he mentioned Dr. Larry Jones but had his first name wrong. Since I knew Dr. Jones, I immediately sent Dr. Mosher an e-mail to correct it, and afterward we shared many e-mails. His web site is: http://www.bowenhomestudy.com/. Dr. Mosher is a podiatrist, and after suffering with low back pain for a dozen years, he received a Bowen treatment and became so enthused he wanted to use it on his podiatric patients, but his license prevented him from treating any thing above the ankle. He then got massage therapy training so he could use Bowen Therapy in his practice.
After meeting with Dr. Jones and learning the counter strain techniques, I told him that “I now felt like a 'fulfilled Osteopath'”. But now with Bowen Therapy added to my “armamentarium” I have quite a “tool chest”. If you will take the time to read Dr. Mosher's case studies, I am sure you will become greatly enthused about Bowen Therapy, too.
There are only a few book about Bowen Therapy. The one I think is best is by a fellow named Gene Dobkin. It's a two volume set of spiral bound books. I have a copy of volume I which has become quite tattered and worn from usage. It has the best illustrations of applying the techniques. I have not seen volume II, but plan to obtain it. Dobkin seems to be quite a teacher. His web site is: http//www.usbowen.com. The other book is called: “Bowen Therapy: Tom Bowen's Gift to the World” by Frank Navratil. It is available at Amazon.com. It too is quite detailed about the treatments.
When I was teaching at our local Osteopathic college, a Bowen therapist from Arizona visited the school to acquaint the faculty and the students with Bowen Therapy, and that was the one day that semester I couldn't get to school because I was so busy in the office. I did get copies of his hand-outs, but they certainly didn't mean much without hearing the accompanying lecture.
There's a lot of interesting stories about Thomas Ambrose Bowen. He lived in Australia. He only had one leg, so he hopscotched the landscape of Australia for many years with a crutch or prosthesis. Then just before he died he had to have the other leg amputated. And just before he died, he demonstrated a Bowen treatment to four or five of his men friends, and after he died they took it to the rest of the world, and now there are schools teaching Bowen therapy.. It is very popular there in Great Britain, I understand.
He was nearly stone deaf, wore two hearing aids, but still couldn't hear anything. Also, he called himself an Osteopath. In fact, he went to the Australian Osteopathic Association one day and asked them if they would please issue him a license. That way, most of his patients who were poor people, could collect on their insurance. They told him they would love to give him a license but they couldn't do that because he never went to school! Well, that didn't stop, him he'd go back every four or five months and ask them again. Finally, they told him to come back 60 days and they would give him a test, and if he passed the exam, they would be glad to issue him a license so his patients could collect on their insurance. He about floated out of that building he was so happy. He “studied his buns off” – but failed the exam. He said that was the biggest disappointment of his life. But he continued to call himself a D.O. He once said he never kept any records, but after he died (in the early eighties, I think) they found he did keep records one year, and that year he gave over 13,000 treatments. That's like 250 a week!
I could go on and on, but I have to stop. I certainly didn't mean for this to become “epistle” length when I started, but as you can see, I easily get quite verbose about things I like. Should you have any more questions, please ask. I'll try to be more brief next time. I had a professor that said there are never any dumb or stupid questions, only dumb or stupid answers.
Don
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Permalink Reply by Dr Donald Craig Farrow on
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Hi, Theodore,
I am sorry to take so long to answer your note, but I had a lot trouble locating the web site of Dr. Mosher. His E-Bay site is not working right. But – alas(!) - I found it. It is a very good site. I became acquainted with Dr Mosher three or four years ago when I ordered his DVD and some literature from his E-Bay site. In his book he mentioned Dr. Larry Jones but had his first name wrong. Since I knew Dr. Jones, I immediately sent Dr. Mosher an e-mail to correct it, and afterward we shared many e-mails. His web site is: http://www.bowenhomestudy.com/. Dr. Mosher is a podiatrist, and after suffering with low back pain for a dozen years, he received a Bowen treatment and became so enthused he wanted to use it on his podiatric patients, but his license prevented him from treating any thing above the ankle. He then got massage therapy training so he could use Bowen Therapy in his practice.
After meeting with Dr. Jones and learning the counter strain techniques, I told him that “I now felt like a 'fulfilled Osteopath'”. But now with Bowen Therapy added to my “armamentarium” I have quite a “tool chest”. If you will take the time to read Dr. Mosher's case studies, I am sure you will become greatly enthused about Bowen Therapy, too.
There are only a few book about Bowen Therapy. The one I think is best is by a fellow named Gene Dobkin. It's a two volume set of spiral bound books. I have a copy of volume I which has become quite tattered and worn from usage. It has the best illustrations of applying the techniques. I have not seen volume II, but plan to obtain it. Dobkin seems to be quite a teacher. His web site is: http//www.usbowen.com. The other book is called: “Bowen Therapy: Tom Bowen's Gift to the World” by Frank Navratil. It is available at Amazon.com. It too is quite detailed about the treatments.
When I was teaching at our local Osteopathic college, a Bowen therapist from Arizona visited the school to acquaint the faculty and the students with Bowen Therapy, and that was the one day that semester I couldn't get to school because I was so busy in the office. I did get copies of his hand-outs, but they certainly didn't mean much without hearing the accompanying lecture.
There's a lot of interesting stories about Thomas Ambrose Bowen. He lived in Australia. He only had one leg, so he hopscotched the landscape of Australia for many years with a crutch or prosthesis. Then just before he died he had to have the other leg amputated. And just before he died, he demonstrated a Bowen treatment to four or five of his men friends, and after he died they took it to the rest of the world, and now there are schools teaching Bowen therapy.. It is very popular there in Great Britain, I understand.
He was nearly stone deaf, wore two hearing aids, but still couldn't hear anything. Also, he called himself an Osteopath. In fact, he went to the Australian Osteopathic Association one day and asked them if they would please issue him a license. That way, most of his patients who were poor people, could collect on their insurance. They told him they would love to give him a license but they couldn't do that because he never went to school! Well, that didn't stop, him he'd go back every four or five months and ask them again. Finally, they told him to come back 60 days and they would give him a test, and if he passed the exam, they would be glad to issue him a license so his patients could collect on their insurance. He about floated out of that building he was so happy. He “studied his buns off” – but failed the exam. He said that was the biggest disappointment of his life. But he continued to call himself a D.O. He once said he never kept any records, but after he died (in the early eighties, I think) they found he did keep records one year, and that year he gave over 13,000 treatments. That's like 250 a week!
I could go on and on, but I have to stop. I certainly didn't mean for this to become “epistle” length when I started, but as you can see, I easily get quite verbose about things I like. Should you have any more questions, please ask. I'll try to be more brief next time. I had a professor that said there are never any dumb or stupid questions, only dumb or stupid answers.
Don
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Permalink Reply by Dr Donald Craig Farrow on
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Michael,
Sorry I didn't answer your question re: the Spinalator table. It is a mechanical treatment table
with a slot in the top upon which the patient lies supine, and in the slot travel hard rubber rollers (today they're some kind of styrofoam) which extend from the SI area to the cervical area. The rollers can rotate either clock-wise or counter-clockwise. It causes passive "backward bending" in the lumbar and thoracic spinal areas, taking the vertebrae through their range of motion, sedating the muscle spasm, and helps to prepare the patient for the HVLA treatment, which are the techniques I prefer. I hope this answers your question.
BTW, what is a G5 machine?
Don
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