The Bowen Technique (also called Bowen therapy or Bowenwork) is a gentle, hands-on bodywork method using light, rolling moves over muscles and fascia with short pauses in between.
People with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) sometimes ask about it to ease shoulder/hip girdle aching, morning stiffness, and stress. There are no clinical trials in PMR, and the overall research base is small and mixed. If you try it, treat it as a short, structured trial for symptom relief—never as a replacement for steroids or other PMR medicines.
What the Bowen Technique is (in plain English)
Sessions are typically done through light clothing. The practitioner applies gentle, targeted “moves” across specific soft-tissue points, then steps away for short rests to let the nervous system “reset.” The approach was developed by Tom Bowen in Australia in the mid-20th century and has since spread under several schools/brands (e.g., “Bowenwork,” “ISBT-Bowen”).
Key idea: Minimal pressure, strategic placement, and pauses—more like nudging the system than deep tissue massage.
What the evidence says (and doesn’t)
- PMR-specific trials: None to date. Current PMR guidelines don’t include Bowen as a disease-directed therapy—think of it only as complementary for comfort.
- Musculoskeletal pain (analogous to PMR sore spots):
- A small pilot RCT in frozen shoulder reported improved pain and function with Bowen vs. control, but it was early-phase research (2001) and calls for larger trials remain.
- A 2011 systematic review found only 15 eligible studies across conditions (just one RCT), with inconsistent methods and limited quality; some studies suggested short-term pain reduction, but certainty is low.
- A 2024–2025 independent evidence evaluation for the Australian Government concluded the overall evidence for Bowen across health conditions remains insufficient/uncertain for firm clinical claims.
- One recent controlled study in myofascial pain syndrome (not PMR) reported improvements with an ISBT-Bowen protocol, but results can’t be generalized to PMR inflammation.
Bottom line: At best, expect modest, short-term symptom relief in some people; no evidence that Bowen treats the underlying inflammation of PMR or reduces CRP/ESR.
What Bowen can do for someone with PMR
- Soften muscle guarding around the shoulders/hips, making daily movement or rehab exercises a bit easier on tight mornings. (This is a practical comfort gain, not disease control.)
- Lower stress/arousal for some — useful if steroids are making you feel keyed up.
- Provide a non-drug option for people who prefer gentle bodywork and can’t tolerate deeper manual therapies.
What it can’t do
- Control PMR inflammation or replace steroids and steroid-sparing meds (e.g., methotrexate, IL-6 blockers). Medical therapy is still the foundation.
- Treat possible giant cell arteritis (GCA). New headache, jaw pain with chewing, scalp tenderness, or visual symptoms are emergencies requiring urgent medical care. (Bodywork is not appropriate here.)
How to run a safe 3–4 week trial (so you know if it’s helping)
- Pick one primary outcome to track daily:
- Minutes of morning stiffness, pain 0–10 in shoulders/hips, or time-to-loosen-up after waking.
- Keep your PMR medications stable during the trial. If your steroid dose changes, you won’t be able to tell what caused any improvement.
- Schedule 3–4 sessions (typically weekly). Many practitioners suggest 6–8, but you’ll usually know by week 3–4 whether it moves the needle for you.
- Decide by data: Continue only if your tracked measure improves by ≥20–30% and you feel that day-to-day life is easier.
Safety, side effects, and who should be cautious
Bowen is generally low-risk when delivered by trained practitioners using clean technique. Minor soreness, fatigue, or transient lightheadedness can occur and usually pass quickly. Still, common-sense cautions apply:
- Avoid bodywork over: open wounds/skin infections, suspicious skin lesions, or fresh injuries.
- Go gently if you’re on anticoagulants or have bruising tendencies; Bowen uses light pressure, but always inform the practitioner.
- Defer if you have fever or a suspected DVT.
- Coordinate with your clinician if you’re highly immunosuppressed or have complex comorbidities.
(Professional materials and national competencies emphasize planning, hygiene, and adapting techniques to the individual — good signs to look for when you vet a provider.)
Choosing a practitioner (and questions to ask)
- Training/credential: What formal Bowen training have you completed? How many PMR-like cases (shoulder/hip girdle pain) have you treated?
- Approach: Which areas will you target first, and how will we measure success?
- Plan: How many sessions before we reassess? What home advice (gentle heat, mobility) pairs well with sessions?
- Safety: How do you adapt for people on steroids/anticoagulants or with fragile skin?
How Bowen fits into a PMR care plan
- Medical core first: Steroids with a careful taper, plus bone protection and steroid-sparing therapy when indicated.
- Use Bowen as a comfort add-on—ideally packaged with heat before movement, gentle mobility/strength, sleep hygiene, or mindfulness/CBT skills if stress is high.
- Review every 4–6 weeks: Keep only what clearly helps; save your time and budget for winners.
FAQ
Will Bowen lower my CRP or speed my taper?
There’s no evidence that it changes CRP/ESR or the course of PMR. Use it (if at all) to make days more comfortable while your clinician steers meds.
Is there strong research behind Bowen?
Not yet. One small RCT in frozen shoulder showed benefit; broader reviews judge the evidence limited and low-certainty, and a 2024 government review found it insufficient for firm conclusions.
How is this different from massage or acupuncture?
Bowen uses very light, specific moves plus pauses; it’s neither deep-tissue massage nor needling. Some people prefer its gentle feel, especially when they’re sore from steroids or flares.
Bottom line
If you’re curious, the Bowen Technique is a low-risk, gentle bodywork option you can trial for comfort—not a PMR treatment. Run a time-boxed, measured trial alongside your prescribed medicines. Keep it if it clearly helps you move more easily and feel better; otherwise, redirect your energy to options with stronger evidence.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content only—not medical advice. Seek urgent care for symptoms suggestive of giant cell arteritis (new headache, jaw pain with chewing, scalp tenderness, or visual changes).
