It will NOT treat cancer!
Hayley, you're right to be skeptical. I have done some searching and there are two pieces of research they seem to promote:
Clients' experiences of frozen shoulder and its treatment with Bowen technique (Carter, B. 2002)
Effects of The Bowen Technique on Flexibility Levels: Implications for Fascial Plasticity (Marr M., Lambon N., Baker J. 2008)
Neither of them appear as strong studies and neither use a placebo or Double-blinding. The first study is not even an RCT and with only 20 participants doesn't fill me with confidence. The second study is only single blinded, patients were either Treated or Not treated and is thus open to huge bias from placebo and confirmation bias.
The Bowen Association UK, in their Scientific Research section, go on to state that;
"Some research has shown that stretches of fascia produce small electrical charges..."
They don't say how this in any way has an effect on the bodies healing or cite any references.
"...and other neurological research has shown that the brain has areas of "body maps", which contain your personal "blueprint". It is believed that the sequences of Bowen moves stimulate the body to repair itself to the blueprint."
This is quite clearly made up nonsense, again without references. I have emphasised believed in the above quote as I think this just goes to show they have no proof. Further research they go on to claim:
...is that blood tests before and after a treatment have revealed raised levels of chemical activity after the treatment and for all body systems to show a marked improvement in function."
Woah there horsey, chemical activity, body systems and function now they seem to be scraping the bottom of the pseudo-science woo barrel. I think we need some references here please "Bowen" people, you can't just go making stuff up.
"Some heart rate studies have shown rapid normalizing of fluctuating rhythms with clients commonly reporting sustained lower stress levels and a feeling of well-being."
OK now on a qualitative level I think we just hit the nail on the head, they conclude their research by stating that, I paraphrase, "Having a lie down in a quiet room makes you feel a bit less stressed". Even without suitable RCT's and citation I think I'd agree with them there.
Now more seriously they then extrapolate from this the ability to help the following conditions:
- Poor mobility (e.g. caused by multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, surgery)
- Allergies
- Asthma and other respiratory problems
- Back problems
- Bell’s palsy
- Constipation and diarrhoea
- Digestive upsets
- Dizziness
- Ear Problems
- Fluid retention
- Foot problems (such as plantar fascitis and bunions)
- Frozen shoulder
- Headaches (migraine, sinus)
- Hernia and heartburn
- Bedwetting, incontinence
- Jaw problems (grinding of teeth, misalignment etc)
- Knee and hip restrictions
- Menstrual and other female problems
- Pelvic tilt, leg length, hip imbalance
- Prostate
- Repetitive Strain Injury
- Sciatica
- Skeletal and muscular problems from lumbar to back
- Sports injuries
- Tennis/golfer’s elbow
When anyone claims to treat such an eclectic mix of conditions the alarm bells ring. Acute illness/injury will get better anyway, in most cases, and some of their claims are for illness caused by bacterial or viral pathogens which is highly dubious. The claims for MS, CP and MD are just morally wrong.
I can find no reliable evidence that supports the use of Bowen in any of the listed conditions.
Significantly - The European College of Bowen Studies, in their case histories, state that:
The Bowen Technique is not suggested as a cure or even as a treatment for cancer. Instead it aims to offer an improved quality of life and more comfort during treatment and thereafter.
So anyone claiming treatment for cancer is probably best avoided as a complete quack. Deciding to go to a Bowen should not be at the expense of her conventional medical care. Whether your friend's mother is happy to spend money on it, for relaxation or maybe placebo pain relief, or not is a matter of her own choice. But you can make her aware that it is in no way a treatment for her illness despite what the practitioner may claim.
Dangers
Like Homeopathy the only danger is not seeking proper medical advice on a condition. The technique itself is non-invasisve, I can only describe as "gentle rolling massage". So I guess it poses minimal [physical] risk to patients
A difficult situation to be in, good luck.
Update:
American Bowen sources Bowen Therapy International make some rather wild research technique claims on their research page. I urge you to read it with the largest dollop of skepticism you can muster.
