Where did the Bowen Tehnique originate from?

Tom Bowen (1916-1982)

The Australian, Thomas Ambrose Bowen left school at the age of 14, and worked various labouring jobs which eventually led him to be a general hand at Geelong Cement works in Victoria. In the late 1950's Tom started showing an obvious interest in healing. It is unclear how he got to this point, but Tom did have a passion for sports and coached youngsters and treated them at his Salvation army boys club.

Although he had no formal training or qualifications, he was clearly a gifted man and started treating people with bad backs and various ailments after his day at the cement works. His reputation grew through word of mouth and people waited hours for an appointment with Tom Bowen. He worked at a rate of approximately 14 clients an hour and as he did not believe in extended therapy, the majority of people were seen in 1 or 2 visits.

In the 1970's a government inquiry showed he treated 13,000 people a year who had come from far and wide to see him. He was skilled in 'reading a body' and was rarely wrong.

Over the years, many people watched Bowen at work, but just six of these became known as 'Tom's boys'. Tom shared much of his understanding with them and they went on to teach their interpretations of the bodywork they observed.

Tom Bowen had a favourite saying and one which he led his life by:

"I expect to pass through this world but once, any good thing therefore that I do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall never pass this way again."