Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years to treat aches and pains, help heal injuries, and promote health and wellness. Around the world, practitioners of massage have developed different styles and techniques to care for their clients.
While many therapists are familiar with widespread approaches such as Swedish or hot stone massage, they may not be well-versed in Bowen Therapy, a unique and non-invasive technique.
HICI Go is an online center that hosts a diverse catalog of health and beauty courses online for people in Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, or anywhere else in the U.S. We also offer in-person courses in Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas. We offer live and virtual massage courses for both amateurs and professionals. Learn more about the techniques and potential benefits of Bowen Therapy.
What Is Bowen Therapy?
Massage therapy is a popular service at many spas and salons nationwide. Within the world of massage, there are different styles of bodywork: holistic approaches to treating acute or chronic pain through the manipulation of the body’s connective tissues.
Bowen Therapy, also known as Bowenwork, is a form of bodywork first developed in the 1950s by a self-taught Australian practitioner named Thomas Bowen. Bowen’s techniques were documented by one of his trainees, Oswald Rentsch, who later founded the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia and promoted this style of massage worldwide.
Bowen Therapy is a minimalist approach to bodywork that uses gentle touches to reduce mental and physical stress, promote relaxation, and stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Bowenwork sessions are typically 30 minutes to an hour, during which clients can experience a deep sense of relaxation and may even fall asleep.
As with other types of massage, a Bowen Therapy massage therapist will manipulate the client’s fascia, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, they use gentle, rolling moves, followed by hands-off pauses of two minutes or longer. The goal of these pauses is to give the body time to integrate different sensory signals and better regulate the nervous system.
What Are the Benefits of Bowen Therapy?
The principles of Bowen Therapy can be used on massage clients of all ages, from babies to older adults. Thomas Bowen believed the two-minute pauses integrated into each session encouraged the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) to take over from the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), commonly known as the “fight or flight” response. When the body is no longer in fight or flight mode, it can take time to rest and heal.
Practitioners of Bowen Therapy can treat a wide range of concerns and conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. These include:
- Back pain
- Migraines and chronic headaches
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Plantar fasciitis
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Sciatica
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
- Tennis elbow
Some Bowenwork professionals think these specialized massage techniques also can help address underlying digestive, neurological, and respiratory issues. They may use Bowen Therapy as a standalone treatment or in combination with other techniques.
Clients can remain clothed during a Bowen Therapy session, making it a good option for individuals who may be new to massage or prefer not to disrobe during their appointment. And because Bowen Therapy uses light and gentle manipulations, it also helps practitioners by putting minimal strain on their bodies, even if they treat multiple clients each day.
Massage Continuing Education Courses at HICI Go
With a platform that is easy to navigate and a comprehensive catalog of courses, HICI Go offers unparalleled access to continuing education opportunities. Massage therapists who need continuing education units (CEUs) can sign up for courses in three formats:
In addition to learning different massage therapy techniques, participants also can take hair care, skin care, and business courses. Participation in HICI Go courses is not limited to licensed professionals – courses are available for esthetics and massage therapy students, as well as individuals who simply want to learn massage styles and techniques.
HICI Go works in partnership with Cortiva Institute and Hollywood Institute to offer a diverse range of course options, taught by experienced industry professionals and instructors. Students who participate in courses at either of these partner institutions will be set up with an online account to access all HICI Go’s educational courses.
Sign Up for a HICI Go Course Today
As a dedicated online center for continuing education, HICI Go provides engaging course offerings in massage therapy and bodywork. In addition to online learning, in-person instruction is available through HICI Go’s partner institutions in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Through HICI Go, you can choose the course topics and delivery methods that best suit your needs. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner, a massage therapy student, or simply a lifelong learner, you can find a variety of exciting courses from HICI Go. For more information, contact us today.