The History of Bowen

The Bowen Technique was developed in the 1950’s by the late Tom Bowen in Geelong, Australia. Although he had no formal training in healthcare, simply saying that it his work was a ‘gift from god’. Bowen became a celebrated therapist in his country, regularly treating over 13,000 patients a year.

In 1974, he invited Oswald Rentsch and his wife to study with him and document his work. This documentation of Bowen’s work that the Bowen Association usesand promotes is the only interpretation actually verified as a true representation of the original technique. It was not until Bowen’s death in 1982, that Oswald and Elaine Rentsch began to teach the technique in several continents, spending nine months of the year travelling. Dedicated to preserving the technique and ensuring that it is taught in its original form, they founded the Bowen Therapy Acadamy of Australia in 1987. Since then, the Bowen Technique has been taught in the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, India and nearly every country in Europe including Bosnia

Mr, Rentsch says of his mentor; ‘He was the Mozart of healing. Just as a musician must place his or her fingers precisely on the string to produce the desired sound, so must a therapist carry out each particular move. The body is as sensitive to the touch as a fine Stradivarius’.

Patrick's Story

“I am a living testament to the success of the Bowen Technique” says Patrick Mathews. When a snowboarding accident put Patrick temporarily in a wheel chair Doctors told him he would require major surgery to treat his knee injuries. Taking the advice of a friend he sought the treatment of Mr. Matt Callison, a well known Bowen practitioner in San Diego California. To Patrick’s surprise Mr Callison succeeded in realigning his knee and removing all inflammation from the injury after only 18 treatments. “I was amazed that he was able to heal my knee, 18 treatments seemed like a lot, but considering the severity of my injuries and the fact I was facing major surgery I was over the moon at the results.”

Having experienced the power of Bowen first hand, Patrick decided to study the technique for himself with a view to helping others. Upon completing his training he moved to the Algarve in southern Portugal in 2003 and immediately saw the potential of setting up Bowen clinics in an area synonymous with relaxation and recuperation. Patrick now runs 3 successful Bowen practices and works with a Private hospital providing treatments for a wide range of problems becoming the most successful Bowen practitioner in Portugal healing thousands with this amazing technique. “The clinics have gone from strength to strength” says Patrick “Many of our clients have been referred to us by patients who have found that Bowen worked for them. We are currently enjoying a 95% success rate in the treatment of many different problems.”