History of the Bowen Forum

The Bowen Forum was established jointly by the professional associations (PAs) representing Bowen therapists in the UK. The PAs were the Bowen Therapy Professional Association (BTPA) and the Bowen Association UK (BAUK).

The aims of the Forum were:

  • •   to set up a system of voluntary self-regulation of Bowen therapists in the UK, for the better protection of the public, possibly as part of a federal structure;
  • •   to enable the main Practitioner Associations in the UK to work together;
  • •   to work to produce common standards in practice and education;
  • •   to provide a forum for open communication links to develop the practice of Bowen in the future.

The Forum was facilitated by The Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health (PFIH), which supported the complementary healthcare professions in developing robust systems of voluntary self-regulation.

Any Bowen therapist may ask to be on the mailing list of the Bowen Professional Forum. However, please note that the Forum is not a membership association of therapists, and being on the Forum mailing list does not mean that you are a regulated Bowen therapist. Now that self-regulation is in place, the only way to be a regulated Bowen therapist is to be on the register of therapists held by the regulatory body - the CNHC - and meet the necessary standards for the protection of the public, as determined by the CNHC.

Bowen Therapy / Technique

For more information on the Bowen Technique in the UK, please visit the site of one of the Member Associations.

Bowen therapy is a soft tissue remedial therapy that involves the therapist using fingers or thumbs to move over muscle, ligament, tendon and fascia in various parts of the body. This therapy can be effective to help relieve everyday stresses and revitalise the whole person.

CNHC

Self regulation of Bowen Therapy practitioners.

A Federal Regulatory body, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) has been set up to regulate a number of complementary therapy groups.

The Bowen Forum was represented on the working group that was established by the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health to explore the possible models for regulation and was been fully involved in the design of the regulatory structure.