The Original Bowtech Bowen for Animals

A dynamic, holistic therapy which is gentle, non-invasive and non-manipulative that can help all animals as a treat, as a preventative (many competition animals benefit from this), or in times of stress, injury,trauma or general un-wellness. Can be suitable for helping with a wide range of conditions –(see below).

It does not replace veterinary advice and treatment, however it can be used in conjunction with and complimentary to – veterinary and other healing modalities as it activates the body’s own powerful,natural healing processes allowing the body to reset, realign and rebalance.

This therapy was developed with the understanding that Animals are athletic and, like humans are subject to stress and strain therefore problems will present as physical symptoms and/or behavioural changes.

There are skilled Practitioners who specialise with either large animals(EMRT™-Equine Muscle Release Therapy),or small animals(CCMRT™ -Cat and Canine Muscle Release Therapy)and many who are dual qualified.Most of these Practitioners are also fully qualified Bowtech Bowen Practitioners so are able to help both the animals and people.

Practitioners are trained to assess the whole animal (non invasively) – how they are, how they move,their condition, their environment, diet, medical history, discipline (what they do) etc.They are working with the animals structure(they have 4 legs unlike humans who have 2 and stand upright) and psyche– eg. most large animals we work with in NZ are prey animals, so EMRT™ is very appropriate. Most of the small animals we work with are predators like Cats or Dogs therefore CCMRT™ is appropriate.

A vital part of this assessment is gathering information from the owners/ handlers/trainers or those who know the animal best – it is a team effort to restore our animal friends to being the best they can be –creating balance and harmony between the animals and their people. Happy animals make happy people – a win/win situation.

Why / When would we use EMRT™ or CCMRT™?

Generally owners know when their animals are’ not right’ or ‘off’- either in the way they are moving, how they are in themselves and/or change in behaviour which can be caused by pain or discomfort.The lists below give some idea of how this therapy may help however it is advisable to get a diagnosis when appropriate from your veterinarian.

❖ EMRT™ (Equine Muscle Release Therapy)

[ creating harmony and balance between horse and rider]

• Muscular, tendon and ligament strains
• Uneven muscle development/muscle wastage
• Sore or cold backed horses
• Skeletal/structural problems
• Ataxia
• Injury and illness – speeds recovery and recuperation through improved circulation
• Unexplained deterioration in performance
• Uneven shoe wear / dragging of hind feet
• Intermittent or unresolved lameness
• Disunited paces
• Stiffness on one rein
• Colds/flu, bladder/kidney infections, dry/cracked hooves, wound healing
• Removal of Toxins & lactic acid build up associated with “Tying up”/ Lymphatic imbalance
• Filled legs (Oedema)
• Degenerative and growth disorders
• Respiratory disorders
• Mental/emotional problems caused by fear, tenseness
• Pre/post Birthing assistance
• Prevention of problems or simply as a treat for your horse

CCMRT™ (Cat and Canine Muscle Release Therapy)

[ creating harmony and balance between small animal and owner]

• Unexplained deterioration in performance
• Unexplained resistance / irritability
• Uneven muscle development/muscle wastage
• Ataxia
• Disunited paces – no strength in movement
• Muscular, tendon and ligament strains
• Skeletal/structural problems
• Injury and illness – speeds recovery and recuperation through improved circulation
• Intermittent or unresolved lameness
• Uneven hips or stifles (knees)
• Sore or dipping back when touched, Raised back
• Filled legs (Oedema)
• Degenerative and growth disorders
• Respiratory disorders
• Pre/post Birthing assistance
• Mental/emotional problems caused by fear, tenseness
• Colds/flu, bladder/kidney infections, wound healing
• Removal of Toxins & lactic acid build up associated with “Tying up”/ Lymphatic imbalance
• Prevention of problems or simply as a treat for your small animal

What is Bowtech Bowen for Animals?

It consists of gentle rolling, sequential EMRT™ or CCMRT™ moves over specific points of along the body, usually at junctions of muscles allowing for large areas to be addressed at once. These ‘moves’ access the fascia covering the muscles, stimulate the specialised nerve cells of the Nervous System. This allows energy flows to be stimulated and rebalance – reminding the body to reprogram reset and heal itself, producing rapid and lasting relief from pain and discomfort. When the body is in balance and functioning normally – the internal communication system (Nervous system) is continually sending messages to the brain from all parts and systems of the body. The brain analyses these messages and then sends the appropriate messages back to the area(s) involved which enables the necessary responses in the body to deal with the situation. When the body is in trauma – it forgets how to function properly – especially when the muscles are in spasm the nerve pathways get blocked so the messages that go from the body to the brain are not able to get there. Therefore this results in restricted movement – which can affect all the body systems –Circulation, Muscular-skeletal system, Emotional/Mental stress and the nervous system. Bowtech Bowen moves can help to release the spasm and allow the messages to get through again, re- programing and allowing all the body systems to function again.

What is Fascia?

This is a continuous membrane (like plastic wrap) that covers everything within the body – every muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, organ, blood lymph vessels, and nerve vessels.
It contains millions of specialised nerve cells which provides the internal communication system of the body – therefore affecting every part and system of the body. In prime condition fascia loose and moist, mobile and elastic.
When the body is injured or stressed, the fascia becomes hard,less flexible and porous therefore restricting the flow of fluids. This then results in restricted movement for the animals.

How does Animal Bowtech Work?

Practitioners performing the appropriate EMRT™ or CCMRT™ ‘moves’ access this fascia as it is lying just under the skin. Because it is covers everything in the body – every ‘Move’ can access every layer and system of the body. The body works like an electrical circuit so when there is a problem or problems it is because there is a short or shortages in the system. The sequential EMRT™ or CCMRT™ ‘Moves’ – help to restore the circuit within the animals body and enable healing wherever it is needed. The Moves – stimulate the nervous system to send the messages to the brain, which turns the switch back on so the body can function to be the best it can possibly be.The treatment helps to correct the restrictions of tissues and fascia, restoring symmetry and balance on a Musculo-skeletal level, freeing congestion, and increasing the circulation of nutrients into all the cells of the body and removing all the waste products from the body – allowing detoxification and resulting in Haemostasis = Perfect balance within the body.

Everything in the body is interconnected – even if we don’t think it is – so often what we think may be the problem is really only a symptom or a secondary compensatory problem-the cause may be somewhere else in the body.

Bowtech for animals helps to go through all the layers and eventually get to the cause. If an animal has been in trauma for a long time, then it will take longer to resolve than for an animal that has had a recent or new trauma.

The EMRT™ and CCMRT™ moves all have at least 3 – 6 years of research and trials at the Equus College of Learning and research before they are incorporated into a treatment regime.They are specific to address the animals body – taking into account their structure (4 leggged on the ground as opposed to the Human – 2 legged and standing upright), physce ( prey or predator – how this affects instinctual patterning and behavioural traits), their physiology (how they function) and species. Most large animals we work with in NZ are prey animals, so EMRT™ is very appropriate. Most of the small animals we work with are predators like Cats or Dogs therefore CCMRT™ is appropriate. At all times Practitioners work with the animals – allowing them to dictate how much treatment is right for them as individuals – Less is more and this can be achieved by reading the animals body language and treatment responses.

What Happens during an EMRT™ or CCMRT™ Treatment (session).

A treatment including a thorough assessment can take up to an hour,during which the Practitioner will perform a series of hands on moves across different parts of the animals body.

Regular,short breaks are taken between the sequence of moves allowing the animal time to relax and take up the treatment.

Ongoing observations are noted throughout the treatment every response has a story to tell and helps in understanding how they are responding and what is happening for them.Often as the treatment progresses a treatment response once explained to the owners triggers a memory of something that has happened to the animal that could be a factor in how they are presenting at the time of treatment.

Once the treatment has finished the Practitioner will advise the owner – where to from now.There is pre and post treatment advice given, and usually treatments involve 3 sessions with possibly more ongoing treatments if necessary. The initial treatment is followed 7 – 10 days by the 2nd treatment and then there is usually a 2 week break before the 3rd treatment. This allows the body the time it needs to process, re-balance and re-align naturally. If appropriate the Practitioner may also refer to other animal healthcare experts of their field to get the best results for the animal concerned.It is a very effective and powerful therapy.

Comments we Hear most commonly – post treatment

• They are moving more freely
• They are calmer and happier – want to be with us now
• They are not sore any more
• Post op – they heal faster and come off pain medication much quicker than expected
• We’ve got our horse/cat/dog back!!!!

Equus College of Learning and Research (ECL&R) and the Practitioners

The Practitioners are trained through the Equus College of Learning and Research (ECL&R®©) whose director – Alison Goward , developed this therapy based on the principals and philosophies of Bowtech Bowen for humans – AG is Senior International Bowtech Human Instructor,Senior lecturer at the Queensland Institute of Natural Science, Vet Nurse for small animal practices and at The original Bowtech Bowen for Animals started with horses hence the name EMRT™ and then there came a demand for the small animals courses (CCMRT™).

*** More about the ECL&R – its history, evolution, Director/ developer – Ali Goward, the Practitioners, the Courses and the continued research and development below.****