BOWEN, NST & FASCIAL KINETICS VIBRATIONAL BODYWORK FROM AUSTRALIA Written by Karla Mahanna with material gathered from Michael Nixon-Livy Bowen, NST ( Neurostructural Integration Technique) and Fascial Kinetics are three different interpretations of Australian, Tom Bowen's amazing work. These therapies are not massage, chiropractic, or acupressure, but rather a system of stimulating body reflexes. Simple movements are done across muscles, nerves and connective tissue causing the neuromuscular system to reset all related tension levels, promoting natural healing. This is a dynamic and skillful professional bodywork technique, which activates the body's innate healing wisdom. The resulting effect is a comprehensive reorganization of the musculature characterized by lasting relief from pain and dysfunction plus an increase in energy levels. These Bowen-derived techniques are essentially soft tissue therapy designed to release muscles and fascia in away which is safe for all ages, neonates to the elderly. It can be called contextual healing since its main aim is to reintegrate the bodyas a whole. For this reason there are no contraindications making it useful for a wide range of complaints. The relief is generally profound and lasting affecting muscular, digestive, respiratory, glandular, and energetic systems. There are specifically designed series of "moves" to address the entire body. It is common for noticeable relief to occur after only one session, however long term resolution is often attjlined after the 2nd or 3rd session. This is because this technique addresses the causes ofmost of the physical complaints rather than merely relieving the symptoms. Athletes may choose treatments to fine-tune and balance their bodies before an athletic event, or to aid healing in the event of an injury. These 3 similar modalities are all based on the innovative work of Tom Bowen done between the 1950's and 1980's. By his death in 1982 he had worked on hundreds of thousands of clients and forever changed the nature of soft tissue work. Bowen became famous during his career for curing what seemed to be the incurable, and finding solutions where none seemed possible. He worked with many clients who had sought treatment for years from other professionals with out success. Often he was hailed as a miracle worker. In 1975 Australian government research showed him to be treating some 12,000 clients yearly. This in itself caused great consternation among the medical profession. During the mid to late 1950's Bowen discovered that unusual relationships existed between certain health problems and particular patterns of muscular dysfunction with which his clients presented. This observation led him to years of intensive clinical experimentation and research. Ultimately, this resulted in the development ofhis unique system of myofascial stimulation, which brought about long term resolution to patterns of muscular dysfunction and their corresponding health complaints. Tom Bowen's unique gift allowed him to read the body like a book, then using what appeared to be intuitive touch gently urge it back into balance.  The gift he left as a legacy, in the form of his techniques, has assisted people around the globe to be rapidly and safely freed ofpain and returned to a status where they can enjoy better health. During his clinical career, which lasted nearly 30 years, Bowen taught his technique to only a handful of privileged individuals, some of whom are still practicing in Australia today. After his death in 1982 a number of interpretations ofhis work sprang up and are now being taught around the world in many countries. As would be imagined, his work changed and evolved as his career progressed, and students who studied with him at different times represented what they had learned from him with subtle differences. As a result there is some variance in the teaching of these interpretations today, but each of them offer a wonderful entrance into his techniques. These techniques are being used with great success by MD's, osteopaths, physiotherapists, chiropractors, dentists, naturopaths, sports medicine therapists, psychologists, kinesiologists, and bodyworkers of every kind, and even veterinarians. Many individuals are benefiting from this wonderful work and oftentimes amazing and miraculous recoveries are reported. Not limiting his work to humans, he also achieved acclaim for his successes with race horses. Today there is a growing group ofpratitioners that specialize in Equine Bowen and seem to be in great demand. Others have adapted this therapy to small animals such as dogs and cats. In my own experience with this work I have witnessed wonderful outcomes for both humans and animals. In a treatment a sequence of specific "moves" are carried out in a very specific and systematic order. The sequences and patterns of moves are elegant, comprehensive and designed to cover the entire body. There is no forceful manipulation, but rather a cross-fiber maneuvering of muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves interspersed with a brief waiting period allowing the body response time. Throughout the session, the client experiences a deep relaxation response providing the body with a "window of opportunity" to reorganize itself through the natural activation of various neural reflexes. Clients often report they can feel these shifts occurring in their bodies for 2 to 4 days after the treatment. The treatment can be done either with the client in soft clothing or directly on the skin.  A session normally lasts from 45 minutes to an hour. It is not uncommon for recipients of this work to experience a range of "healing effects" such as shifting body aches, hot and cold flushes, sweating, and occasionally emotional releases.  These are a positive sign that changes are occurring, and the individual is returning to a better state ofwell being and balance. It is interesting that clients may even report their symptoms leaving the body in the reverse order in which they arrived. Since these techniques embody a contextual approach to healing they can be applied to a huge range of conditions.  Bowen's work could perhaps be called the "homeopathy of bodywork". Conditions which have respond well to Bowen/NST/ Fascial Kinetics treatments include the following: Cranial and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems Neck problems, whip lash Headaches and migraines Back problems Shoulder and arm problems Leg problems including hamstrings, knees and ankles Accident injuries Sports injuries Urinary disorders Prostate difficulties Digestive and bowel problems, colitis, constipation Respiratory problems including asthma Sinusitis Menstrual and menopausal difficulties Fatigue Stress conditions and emotional depression ADD, some learning disorders, hyperactivity Bowen, NST, and Fascial Kinetics are becoming more recognized in the U.S. and Europe every year as more classes are taught and more practitioners are making Bowen's work available to their clients. There are a number of practitioners in Colorado, and the numbers are growing.  For further information on receiving a session or about referals for training you are invited to contact me.