Research published in June 2023 investigated the effectiveness of Bowen therapy in managing myofascial pain syndrome with symptoms lasting for more than six weeks. The study also examined the long-term effect of Bowen Therapy on functional enhancement, quality of life, and physical and mental well-being.
The study was performed by Occupational Therapists at the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care and the Department of Occupational Therapy, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.
This study was the first Randomised Controlled Trial in the literature to confirm the efficacy of Bowen Therapy for patients with myofascial neck pain. Compared with conventional treatments, Bowen Therapy increased Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), improved Cervical Range of Movement (CROM), reduced pain scores, improved occupational performance, improved mood, and improved quality of life. Many of these effects could last at least 12 weeks after completing the Bowen therapy course.
Few studies have investigated the effect of Bowen Therapy on PPT. It is a quick, objective measure to quantify pain intensity and deep muscular tissue sensitivity. This study showed that subjective pain scores were significantly reduced immediately after all of the Bowen Therapy sessions and 12 weeks after completing the therapy course. Bowen Therapy appears to elicit a fascial healing process and facilitates further rehabilitation of performance in daily activities in the post-therapy period. Improvement in the deep muscular tissue sensitivity may promote pain tolerance threshold, and other research is recommended. The results suggests that Bowen Therapy may be a superior option to dry needling and trigger-point injection, whose effects diminished after four weeks, according to meta-analysis.
The research concluded that Bowen Therapy is an effective treatment for chronic myofascial neck pain. It alleviates pain, improves functional outcomes, and enhances the quality of life. The reduced myofascial neck pain will assist patients’ occupational participation, with enhanced physical and mental well-being. Results of the study demonstrated the non-invasiveness of 12 weeks of Bowen Therapy provides a favourable option among other therapies in managing myofascial neck pain. It is expected that the successful model of care will be further promoted to all pain clinics in Hong Kong and internationally. Additional research should be considered to explore the medium and long-term Bowen Therapy intervention effect in managing myofascial pain at different body parts, compared with pharmacological and other active evidence-based controls.
Read the full article on the BTPA website at https://www.bowentherapy.org.uk/bowen-research.php
Bowen Therapy at BTPA 
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