According to the U.K.'s Totally Bowen website, Canine Bowen therapy is a complimentary therapy developed form principles originally created for use on humans. Canine Bowen therapy was developed by dog trainers Sally and Ron Askew for use as a holistic remedy designed to stimulate the body to treat itself of abnormalities in the muscles.
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History
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The Gentle Power of Bowen website reports the original Bowen technique was developed by an untrained Australian healer called Tom Bowen. The Bowen technique was originally developed during the 1950s, after Tom Bowen claimed he felt vibrations in the muscles of his clients allowing him to know which areas should be treated. The Gentle Power of Bowen reports that Bowen claimed before an Australian government committee researching complimentary medicine in 1973 that he treated 280 patients per week, including free clinics for children with disabilities. Canine Bowen therapy was researched by Sally and Ron Askew at their Rainbow Pet-Dog Training Center in 2002 resulting in the development of the canine technique.
Therapy
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Canine Bowen therapy is a hands on holistic treatment, in which the entire body of a patient is treated regardless of illness or injury to a specific region. The European Guild of Canine Bowen Therapists reports therapists use a gentle, non-invasive touch. The fingers and thumbs are used on the soft tissue of the dog to stimulate the neurological system by working with the muscles, ligaments and tendons at targeted areas of the dogs body.
Pressure
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According to the European Guild of Canine Bowen Therapists, very little pressure is applied to the body of the dog. A light touch is used as a way of keeping the dog calm as distrust and fear on the part of the canine is counter-productive to the success of the treatment. The use of soft pressure on targeted areas of the dogs body promotes healing, pain relief and a re-balancing of the energy of the dog's body.
Responses
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The Totally Bowen website reports a number of common responses to the Canine Bowen therapy. During treatment, dogs often retreat to a quiet corner and lay down before returning to the therapist to continue with the therapy. It is also common for dogs to stare at the treated area, lick and nibble at the area that has just been treated.
Brain
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By stimulating the muscles with light vibrations the canine's body is stimulated into self healing, according to Totally Bowen. Stimulating the muscles sends neurological messages from the nerve endings to the brain where the messages are interpreted and acted upon. The expected outcome of Canine Bowen Therapy is the self healing of abnormalities within the muscles.
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