THOMAs

AMBROSE

BOWEN

An INSPIRATIONAL man -- an INSPIRing technique

THOMAS AMBROSE BOWEN (Tom Bowen) - 1916-1982, an Australian, created, refined and practiced what we know today, as the Bowen Technique.

Tom Bowen lived in the city of Geelong, sixty miles south west of Melbourne, in Australia's south east. Tom had an eighth grade education and no formal medical training. In the early 1950's Tom's day job was at the Geelong Cement Works as a general laborer but at night and during weekends he treated sports and workers injuries. Finally in the late 1950's, Tom Bowen moved into a permanent, full-time practice.

Apart from creating the technique, Tom's greatest ability was an uncanny knack of assessing just what "moves" a client needed and to apply them quickly and accurately. For much of his practicing years, Tom saw fourteen patients an hour, needing to spend only a very short time with each, to determine and apply the appropriate "moves".

Tom Bowen practiced and refined his technique over some thirty years, working right up to his death, in 1982. He didn't advertise. His thousands of clients, many coming from throughout Australia, came through word of mouth referral.

Unfortunately Tom Bowen did not fully document his methods. Over the years many observers came to view his work - a number of whom observed over a lengthy period of time. It is from these ‘students’ that Bowen Therapy and it’s many derivations have come to us today.

Tom Bowen was a genuinely humble man, given to few words, but with an endless energy and passion for helping and relieving others of their ills, most especially those from less fortunate circumstances. He treated his unique abilities as a 'gift from God' and gave of himself tirelessly to help others.

That Tom Bowen, was able, in the environment of those times - Geelong in the 60's and 70's, to create and develop a practice that treated tens of thousands of people, each with a few simple yet special "moves", speaks volumes for his personal dedication and tenacity and the success of his technique. For without the stunning results he achieved, he would not have been able to sustain his work over thirty years.

His example is a shinning light to all those who follow in his footsteps. All of us who have benefited from Bowen Therapy, owe Tom Bowen a debt of gratitude for without his perseverance, tenacity, dedication, generosity and goodwill, none of this would be possible.