Pediatric Bowen Therapy
Bowen therapy is a wonderful treatment for children that are nervous about taking off their clothes for a massage, worried it might hurt, or when there are deeper rooted issues such as tight hips or pelvis, difficulties learning to walk, and even when having problems calming down at night or focusing in class.
What does Pediatric Bowen Therapy look like?
It is a subtle, dynamic, yet powerful therapy that is disguised by its gentleness. It works to create a gentle tonifying effect on the nervous system and the tissues of the body using the body’s ingrained primitive reflexes controlling tension, stress, and how the body reacts to stimuli. The therapist uses a gentle rolling movement to create a subtle vibration in the muscles, skin, and tissues of the body that then replays impulses to the brain and spinal cord allowing for a gentle full body correction to begin. This tension can sometimes come from a difficult birth, a birth trauma, an injury, or postural imbalances later in life. Bowen can help to release these intrinsic tensions and balance the body top to bottom, inside and out.
Bowen Therapy works on the muscles, bones, and alignment of the joints, as well as the parasympathetic nervous system which is known as the ‘rest and digest’ or ‘heal and repair’ system. It can help trigger an all over sense of calm and is useful for children who have a hard time relaxing before bed at night.
Other conditions Bowen Therapy is helpful for:
Tight jaw and difficulty latching or nursing
Tight hips, pelvis, flat feet, or knock kneed
Unable to settle after a fast or difficult birth
Colic, indigestion, constipation, and bed wetting
Torticolis/ neck pain
Sports Injuries
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Sometimes the birth process is hard on the little ones- even if nothing went wrong with the delivery itself. Common occurrences can include a cord around the neck, born ‘Sunny Side-up’, Caesarian section, vacuum or forceps assistance all add an extra layer of stress on the body that can often cause complications with feeding, tongue movement and improper swallow, torticollis, or frequently spitting up or digestion issues…. Causing restrictions in the throat, intestines, legs, hips, or neck. Having a quick check in for Bowen Therapy can often help resolve issues in as little as 3-5 sessions.
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Bowen Therapy for adolescents and youth is a great way alternative for children who are nervous about taking off their clothes in front of a stranger or if they have a painful or persistent injury. Bowen can target muscles and fascia in the deepest layers of the body without the therapist needing reach that depth with their fingers. It is great for all types of sports injuries, jaw and throat restrictions, and for nervous children suffering from stress or anxiety.
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Toddlers and young children can sit or move during treatment as we address concerns like:
Potty training, bedwetting, constipation
Attention issues, anxiety, sleep disruption, nervous system dysregulation
Breathing, emotional regulation, muscle/joint pain, recovery from illness
Older children and teens may sit, stand, or do gentle movements to also support:
Sports performance and hormone-related changes
Treatments require skin contact, but kids remain clothed and comfortable—shorts and tank tops work well. The focus is often on the spine and abdomen, and the setting is kept low for comfort.
