History of the Bowen Technique

 

Thomas A. Bowen (1916-1982) developed this technique in Geelong, Victoria. Around the time following World WarII, he became interested in ways to alleviate human suffering and began to notice that certain moves on the body had particular effects. The Bowen Technique is unique in that it was developed without its originator having any previous training in any modality or discipline. In fact, he frequently stated that his work was ‘simply a gift from God.’ Over a period of several years he developed the system as it is used today.

Bowen was extremely busy in his clinic, as was verified by the 1975 Victorian government inquiry into alternative health care professionals. The study documented Bowen seeing some 13,000 patients per year as assessed over a 27-week period. Considering sessions were seven days apart and most people needed only two or three sessions, that was an amazing number of clients per year.

In 1974, while attending a National Health Conference in Adelaide, Australia, Tom Bowen was introduced to Osteopath and Natural Therapist, Oswald Rentsch. Although Rentsch knew nothing of Bowen’s work, he spontaneously asked if he could train with Bowen. 
Bowen subsequently invited Rentsch to Geelong to study with him.

During the next two and a half years Rentsch and his wife, Elaine, studied Bowen’s technique, ultimately being authorised by Bowen to document his work. Bowen had no notes, charts or manuals that they could copy, but with the help of Bowen’s receptionist, Rene Horwood, they produced a true representation of Bowen’s original technique. They then began utilizing Bowen’s methods in their clinic in Hamilton, Victoria, Australia. At Bowen’s request, it was not to be until after his death that Ossie and Elaine began  teaching his technique.

The first seminar was held in Perth, Australia in 1986, and by 1990, the Rentsch’s were teaching full time. Since then, they have introduced the Bowen Technique throughout Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Israel, Sweden and South Africa. The number of new countries being added to this list is growing at an exciting rate.

Practitioners across the world are now using this amazing healing modality. Because this technique is so effective, it has been widely embraced by a broad spectrum of people. Healing professionals are impressed by the capability of the Bowen session and the diversity of problems addressed by it. It was so successful that in 1992, the Rentsches implemented a Teacher Training Programme.

Every year their instructors are assessed as to their capability, accuracy and adherence to the formula that brings success. There are currently 72 teachers registered with The Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia offering seminars around the globe.  The Academy has taught well over 12,000 students worldwide.  Many of these students remain active in their practice, and manyhave become Accredited Practitioners.

We look forward to training you in Tom Bowen’s remarkable technique.