BowenBuzz

In this episode of The BowenBuzz, Chris talks with Larina Paoletti from Newmarket, New Hampshire (USA), a highly experienced physical therapist (physiotherapist) who has successfully integrated Bowenwork into a mainstream hospital outpatient setting.

Larina began her formal training in 2014, completing certification over about two and a half years while working full-time, raising three children as a single mum, and caring for her father. Early on, she worked for the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), travelling house-to-house providing physical therapy. That environment forced creativity: many clients weren’t mobile enough for table work, so Larina rapidly learned how to adapt Bowen in seated and home-based settings, and she began noticing meaningful shifts, even with complex pain and mobility-limited patients.

“People think of Bowen as a last resort… but results are quicker when I see them sooner.”

A pivotal moment came when a nurse encouraged her to apply for the hospital’s Patient Innovation Incentive Award. Larina submitted two case studies in March 2019 and won unanimously. The prize required a short video and a presentation to senior hospital leadership (including executives and clinical decision makers). Despite nerves, Larina delivered and the first question from the audience was: “Where do I sign up?” That single moment became the seed of a hospital-based Bowen-informed program.

Her transition into outpatient care coincided with COVID shutdowns, delaying education and rollout. But Larina persisted starting with staff and complex patients, then expanding through outcomes and word-of-mouth. Her early focus group included fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and chronic pain, and she soon gained a key advocate: a rheumatologist who began referring directly because he was excited to offer something beyond medication, injections, or surgery.

Larina also became part of the hospital’s concussion team, sharing how Bowen sessions can help some patients regulate early, sometimes before they can tolerate vestibular work. She blends Bowen with physiotherapy principles: Bowen may come first for capacity and symptom reduction, then therapeutic exercise builds function once patients can tolerate more.

The episode also honours Ainsley Farrington’s legacy, including her community impact through a free monthly community clinic. Larina’s message is simple and strong: keep sharing Bowen, keep documenting outcomes, and keep opening doors because this work has enormous potential, and its next leap forward will come from clinicians willing to champion it.

Sponsored by the Business of Bowen (BoB) Supporting an engaged and passionate circle of Bowen therapists committed to learning and growth

The post Episode 46: Larina Paoletti- Bringing Bowen into a US Hospital PT Program appeared first on Bowen Buzz.

Calming Horses Under Pressure

In this episode of The BowenBuzz, Chris sits down with Wes Russell, a highly experienced Bowen practitioner who works with both humans and horses, often in demanding, real-world environments such as endurance riding events across Queensland.

Wes shares that his pathway into Bowen began long before formal training. Growing up in country Queensland with a strong affinity for animals, he originally considered veterinary work before life took him through several careers including the corporate sector and later hands-on work on a stud cattle station. That early grounding in animal husbandry and performance animals would later shape his approach as a therapist.

A turning point came when Wes trained in Equine Muscle Release Therapy (EMRT) through Alison Goward, one of the pioneers of Bowen influenced equine bodywork in Australia. Alison’s structured, staged training model combining in-person intensives, case studies, and progressive skill development gave Wes a deep appreciation for working with the horse’s nervous system rather than imposing force. Wes later expanded his training to include the practical Bowen moves for humans, allowing him to work confidently with both humans and animals.

A central theme of the conversation is Bowen’s role in high pressure performance environments, particularly endurance riding, where horses must pass strict veterinary checkpoints and heart-rate recovery parameters to continue competing. Wes explains how he developed a practical “band-aid” protocol, selecting a small number of strategic moves that can help a horse settle and regulate under time pressure. In these environments, the therapist’s calm presence is critical, especially amid anxious riders, cooling strategies, and the intensity of vet’s gazes..

Wes also unpacks common endurance related challenges such as horses “tying up” (muscle lock up associated with metabolic stress), lameness assessments, and recovery windows. He highlights an important distinction: horses don’t cognitively analyse treatment the way humans do. As a result, changes in breathing, posture, circulation, and relaxation can be clear, rapid, and measurable.

Listeners will hear Wes describe what he looks for during a treatment: head lowering, softening through the body, yawning or licking and chewing, deeper breathing, pronounced vascular changes, and even dramatic coat pattern shifts, phenomena often associated with changes in fascial hydration and nervous system regulation. He also reflects on how owner emotion and therapist demeanour directly influence outcomes, particularly with horses as highly perceptive prey animals.

Throughout the episode, Wes shares memorable stories, from lowering heart rates under pressure, to a striking behavioural shift in a previously “hard-to-catch” horse after early training, to treating riders on rugs in the grass because Bowen is, by nature, portable and adaptable.

Wes finishes with a simple but powerful intention: helping more people understand Bowen’s capacity to support physical, emotional, and even spiritual wellbeing for both humans and animals.

“You’ve got to remain low energy—because that’s where the horse is going to be.” — Wes Russell

Key Takeaways

Equine Bowen and EMRT support nervous system regulation in high-stress performance settings.

Horses offer clear, observable signs of physiological change during treatment.

Therapist presence and calm regulation are as important as technique.

Wes completed his equine training through Alison Goward’s Equine Muscle Release Therapy (EMRT) program. A Bowen-influenced approach to working with horses through gentle, nervous-system-led manual therapy.

More information: https://www.horseandridertherapy.com.au/

Sponsored by the Business of Bowen (BoB) Supporting an engaged and passionate circle of Bowen therapists committed to learning and growth

The post Episode 45: Bowen Therapy, Horse & Rider with Wes Russell appeared first on Bowen Buzz.

In this episode of The Bowen Buzz, Chris speaks with international Bowen instructor Margaret Spicer about the evolution of Mind Body Bowen and her advanced training, Mind Body Bowen in Practice. With more than twenty years of global teaching experience, Margaret offers deep insight into how Bowen therapy interacts with the fascia, nervous system, and stored emotional patterns.

Mind Body Bowen began in 2001 when Margaret and co-teacher Anne Schubert observed that Bowen therapy often triggered sensations, memories, and emotional shifts in clients. These responses reflected the body’s attempt to release long-held patterns rather than random reactions. Early fascia research later helped validate these experiences.
Learn more about fascia science through the Fascia Research Society: https://fasciaresearchsociety.org

Margaret explains how Bowen therapy activates the body’s innate intelligence. When practitioners give space and time, the body reveals its priorities—whether physical tension, old injuries, or unresolved trauma. This aligns with modern understandings of nervous system safety and somatic healing.
For more on nervous system regulation, visit the Polyvagal Institute: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org

Throughout the conversation, she shares powerful cases, including clients whose bodies guided treatment toward childhood experiences or medical trauma. These examples show how Bowen therapy can support emotional release without forcing discussion. Practitioners simply observe, ask gentle questions, and follow the body’s lead—making Bowen a safe, respectful, and empowering modality.

“The body always knows the priority. Our job is simply to listen and let it lead.”

Therapists can also connect with the professional community through the Bowen Association of Australia:
https://www.bowenassociationaustralia.org.au

Margaret will be speaking at the Bowen Conference in Geelong in May 2026, where she will share her updated insights into the future direction of Bowen therapy, including developments in fascia research and mind–body integration.

Practitioners who want ongoing support can explore the Business of Bowen Membership, a comprehensive education and business development platform designed for Bowen therapists:
https://businessofbowen.com

The post Episode 44: Mind Body Bowen in Practice with Margaret Spicer appeared first on Bowen Buzz.

In this inspiring episode of The Bowen Buzz,  Chris sits down with renowned international instructor Sandra Gustafson at the 7th International Fascia Congress in New Orleans.

Sandra shares her journey from nursing and naturopathy into Bowen therapy, sparked by her own healing experience and a deep curiosity about how gentle touch influences the body. She discusses the evolving science of fascia, the profound role of the nervous system—especially the vagus nerve—and how Bowen-style work supports regulation, safety, and whole-body healing.

Sandra also explores her specialised work with women’s health, complex neurological clients, and the importance of creating a safe relational space in clinical practice. Her passion for lifelong learning and teaching shines through as she explains how new fascia research continually enriches her understanding.

This conversation is a heartfelt reminder of the power of gentle touch, presence, and curiosity in holistic bodywork.

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✨ 3 Key Takeaways
Bowen therapy is a neuro-myofascial relaxation technique
Sandra explains how Bowen moves influence fascia, the peripheral and central nervous systems, circulation, and even biochemical balance.
Safety and connection profoundly shape clinical outcomes
The vagus nerve responds to social engagement, tone of voice, and therapeutic presence—making practitioner demeanour as vital as technique.
Gentle work can support complex conditions
Through collaborative care, Bowen-style approaches can improve function and quality of life for clients with chronic pain, neurological disorders, and emotional dysregulation.






www.businessofbowen.com

http://www.bowenworkforlife.com













The post Episode 43: Gentle Touch meets Big Science: Sandra Gustafson on Fascia, the Vagus Nerve & Bowen Healing appeared first on Bowen Buzz.

Eleanor Oyston’s Journey with Oncology Massage

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Eleanor Oyston. Hear a compassionate and skilled practitioner, as she explores her incredible journey into the world of oncology massage. Eleanor shares how she came to this powerful modality through her study of remedial massage and Bowen therapy. She tells of her motivation to work with cancer patients, and the transformative impact it has on the lives of those navigating cancer treatment.

Oncology massage isn’t just about touch; it’s about connection, care, and creating a safe space for healing

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Eleanor’s Story: Discover how Eleanor was drawn to oncology massage and the challenges she overcame to develop and promote the training and implementation of OM in hospitals in Australia and internationally.

Understanding Oncology Massage: What makes it different from traditional massage therapy? Learn how it’s tailored to support individuals with cancer.

The Benefits for Patients: Eleanor discusses how oncology massage helps reduce pain, manage anxiety, and improve overall quality of life during treatment.

Emotional Resilience as a Therapist: Hear Eleanor’s insights on staying grounded and compassionate while working with clients facing serious health challenges.

Resources Mentioned

Learn more about oncology massage with this free Blueprint resource

Oncology Massage training information here

Eleanor Oyston’s Book: Touching Cancer.

The post Episode 42: Touching Cancer with Bowen appeared first on Bowen Buzz.