Tom Bowen

Thomas Ambrose Bowen (1916 – 1982) devoted a lifetime to developing his gentle and innovative technique in Geelong, Australia. He started by practising massage for local sports clubs until his practice grew so large he was forced to ‘do something about it’. His concern for his patients’ wellbeing and his lack of interest in money were legendary.

Tom Bowen was not formally trained in any medical or alternative therapy discipline. He stated simply that his work was ‘a gift from God’. In the interview for the Webb Report of 1975, an Australian Government survey on natural therapies, he was observed to be treating some 13,000 patients per year, with a 90% success rate after only one or two treatments. He was known only by word of mouth.

Tom Bowen taught his technique to only a handful of students, including Ossie and Elaine Rentsch, to whom he passed the responsibility of taking it out to the world after his death. Ossie and Elaine have done an admirable job of founding and directing the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia. They travel the world teaching advanced levels. The Bowen Technique is now being taught in over twenty countries and practiced in over thirty.

As from 2006 the Diploma in Bowen Therapy is nationally recognized training in Australia.