The Science:

What’s really happening during a Bowen move? Let’s look beneath the surface.

Each Bowen move is a gentle, cross-fiber stimulation over muscles, tendons, or fascia, typically performed at sites rich in neurological activity such as nerve bundles, proprioceptors, and acupuncture points. This deliberate, rolling movement impacts mechanoreceptors—specifically muscle spindle fibers (stretch receptors) and Golgi tendon organs (pressure receptors). These receptors communicate directly with the central nervous system, helping regulate muscle tone and joint positioning.

Additionally, the Bowen move generates a piezoelectric effect—a small electrical charge created when fascia is mechanically deformed. This charge influences local tissue behavior, encouraging hydration and cellular communication within the fascial network. Increased hydration brings essential nutrients to the area, supports tissue repair, enhances mobility, and reduces pain and tension.

The pauses between moves aren’t just for effect—they’re integral to the technique. These breaks allow time for the nervous system to process the input, without overwhelming it. This pacing honors the body’s intelligence, giving it space to respond instead of react.

Bowen Therapy also has a profound influence on the autonomic nervous system, gently guiding the body into a parasympathetic state—commonly known as “rest and digest.” This is where healing truly happens. In contrast, many of us live in a near-constant sympathetic state—the “fight, flight, or freeze” mode—where stress hormones surge and the body prioritizes survival over repair.

In today’s world of chronic overstimulation, Bowen provides a subtle but powerful reset. By downregulating the stress response and restoring parasympathetic dominance, it reopens the body’s natural pathways of self-regulation, balance, and healing.

The Process:

In Bowen Therapy, less is more—but healing still takes time. While some clients experience immediate relief after a session, true change happens when we allow time and consistency to address the root of the issue—not just the surface symptoms.

When we experience discomfort or pain, it’s natural to ask, “What did I do?” But often, the more revealing question is, “What have I been doing?” Our bodies carry the accumulation of years—sometimes decades—of habitual strain, compensation, and postural patterns. Tension doesn’t develop overnight, and so, lasting relief takes time to unfold.

This is why new clients are encouraged to begin with a series of three consecutive Bowen sessions. This allows your body the time and space it needs to begin unwinding long-held patterns and moving toward balance. After the third session, we’ll reassess progress and determine a plan moving forward—whether that’s continued therapeutic work or a maintenance schedule to support ongoing well-being.

What to expect during a session:

You’ll remain fully clothed, lying comfortably on the table. Based on your goals, a series of gentle, targeted moves will be made over specific areas of the body. After each set of moves, your therapist will briefly leave the room, allowing your nervous system uninterrupted space to process and integrate the input. This pattern of move and pause continues throughout the session.

Many clients report feeling deeply relaxed—often within just minutes of beginning.

My Personal Journey with Bowen Therapy:

My journey with Bowen Therapy began the moment my massage instructor said, “I can’t explain how it works, but it’s magical.” That one sentence sparked my curiosity and planted a seed I didn’t yet know would grow into a central part of my life and practice.

Flash forward to the day I passed my massage licensing exam—still glowing with pride as I stepped out of the testing site. I happened to glance up and see a sign:

“Zen From Within – Bowen Therapy.”

Something clicked. I knew I had found the next chapter in my journey.

After learning more about Bowen and feeling pulled toward it, I had my first firsthand experience with its power while struggling with persistent TMJ dysfunction. My jaw pain had become so severe that my teeth no longer touched. Despite daily self-treatment with massage, any relief was minimal or short-lived. Finally, I booked a Bowen Therapy session.

The therapist told me she believed the root cause of my jaw pain stemmed from an imbalance in my hips. Even though it wasn’t what I expected, I trusted her—and trusted the process. She worked on my hips, not my jaw. I left the session feeling deeply relaxed and slightly relieved, though still aware of lingering discomfort. But after an incredibly deep sleep that night, I woke up to something remarkable: my jaw was completely aligned. My teeth touched again—for the first time in months. That one session, without even touching my jaw, brought lasting and profound relief.

As if that wasn’t enough to deepen my commitment to this work, Bowen Therapy also supported me through one of the most life-altering experiences of my life. At age 30, I experienced a right pontine stroke—a rare event that left me with impaired sensation, motor function, and body awareness on one side. The path to healing was uncertain, but Bowen became a cornerstone of my recovery. It helped me reconnect with the affected areas, slowly restoring mobility, awareness, and a sense of safety within my body. It was gentle, supportive, and profoundly effective in ways other interventions were not.

Since then, Bowen Therapy has remained a key part of my self-care practice. In September 2021, I began formal training under the guidance of Mary Martorano, and by January 2023, I proudly completed my certification and became a fully certified Bowen Therapist.

All of this with extra special thanks to my mentor, Melita Mollohan - Holistic Health Practitioner and founder of Zen From Within, without whose guidance I would not be the practicing Bowen Therapist I am today.