For the uninitiated, my book researching the history of Bowen Therapy and the man after whom it is named, Tom Bowen, caused a few wrinkled brows in the Bowen world internationally when it was released in 2010. Bound to happen when you point out the errors, omissions, and downright lies associated with the growth of the therapy around the world. I must admit, I did go a little hard on some folk but I obviously thought they deserved it. Threats of being sued didn’t concern me because I told the truth and had supporting evidence. But that hasn’t stopped some folk from running riot with outrageous claims about their roles with Tom Bowen. I’ve always wondered why some found it necessary to create a fantasy Tom Bowen when the real one was worthy of a story anyway.
For more info about The Book… thebowenbook@mail.com
A Roller Coaster Ride
It has been quite a roller coaster ride for me and my partner, Lisa Black, as we spread our interpretation of the work. Fortunately, the last decade has brought about generational change in leadership in the Bowen world. More new students are being presented with a broader picture of the origins of the work. This doesn’t mean I forgive those who lied their way to prominence. And it doesn’t mean they give a shit whether I do or not. The fantasies have been well documented and as more people become aware, their power diminishes.
During The Big HooHaa of the early struggling-to-get-established days, we eventually chose to ignore the noise and simply do our best at what we loved to do – spread our work. And travel. This has resulted in our school, the International School of Bowen Therapy (ISBT) having extraordinary professional success. Having our work accepted in a public hospital system and being part of a Masters of Physiotherapy course was new ground for Bowen Therapy. And it resulted in us doing lots of travelling. More recently our colleagues in Hong Kong released the most comprehensive study into the work yet completed. ‘The Effect of ISBT-Bowen Therapy in the Treatment of Myofascial Neck Pain’. (Link to the study below).
In one form or other, with one story or other, manual techniques purporting to be Bowen have rapidly spread throughout the world. Early courses came with a good dash of strict formula rules and they still persist. However, a more clinical approach to the use of the work, with an understanding of assessment strategies, has sensibly entered the scene.
The Ongoing Fairytale
The strongly supported idea that Tom Bowen magically developed the techniques and philosophies that underpin contemporary Bowen Therapy is, unfortunately, a feel-good fairytale. I don’t have a problem that the therapy bears his name as he was an extremely generous, talented therapist. Evidence shows that his ability to improvise through touch and visual assessment should be a beacon to all who call themselves Bowen Therapists. I’m happy that he is the direct link to the contemporary therapy story. I would also be happy if Tom’s mentor, former legendary Australian football therapist, Ernie Saunders, got appropriate recognition. But that is unlikely, given how the myth of genius is a far better story than someone learning from someone else. Apart from anything else, such as the truth, a few careers have been built on the myth.
The Blog
Soon after the Book was published, I started the Bowenbookblog on a dedicated web page. A lot of that old stuff, maybe tweaked, is going to magically appear here somewhere. I have a mildly more philosophical view of the future of Bowen so this might influence a little editing of the old stuff. Or not.
This site is going to have a much broader focus than the oldie. Maybe a bit of general happening things, research stuff, an interview, or maybe even a video or two.
I must admit that conflicting interests and a little frustration eventually saw the original blog page drop away somewhat. Well, completely, as it eventuated. The emergence of the docu-movie about Bowen has fired me up little. As I write this, I have not seen the movie. I was interviewed, but I doubt my research and theories will hold much interest in the overall picture.
A critique of the movie is bound to be a blog soon. I am trying to avoid approaching it with some trepidation, but this will be difficult seeing how I have seen the trailers.
The Effect of ISBT-Bowen Therapy in the Treatment of Myofascial Neck Pain:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10212568/
