History

The Bowen Technique originated in Australia. It was pioneered by Thomas Bowen who was born in 1916 in Geelong, Australia. After working in various labouring jobs as a young man, he developed a great interest in body work and spent time observing football trainers and others involved with sports. He began by treating grey hounds, horses and his work colleagues in the labouring industry. He soon gave up his day job to go on to successfully treat up to 280 patients a week, 88% of whom required only two or three treatments.

Today Tom’s work is taught world-wide and is taught at university level in Australia. Each person who has been taught Tom’s technique has their own unique way of interpreting it. Each persons interpretation is different. The only original Bowen therapist was Tom Bowen himself. He continually developed and adapted his technique to whatever situation presented itself to him – perhaps sticking to the same basics but always a different interpretation. He had a favourite saying by which he lived his life:

“I expect to pass through this world but once, any good thing therefore that I do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall never pass this way again.”