Modules 1-2 Bowen Therapy Instruction Manual

PELVIC PROCEDURE
Minimum Prerequisite
BRM 1 (1-4) - Lower Back Procedure

PELVIC PROCEDURE - SUMMARY Assessment Results

If the client has noticeable discomfort in either
Move 1 - ‘Hit the Lat’.
side of their sacral area, the Sacral procedure is
Move 2 - Challenge Adductus longus supero-laterally for likely required after the client has stood at the end
20 seconds, release softly. (To achieve the best hold of of treatment.
the Adductus tendon push skin onto and under it from
the inguinal crease).
If the client has noticeable tension or pain in the
Move 3 - Medial move over the sartorius muscle at a
point 3 finger-widths inferior to the ASIS. lateral border of the ilium or trochantor, the
Coccyx procedure is likely needed at the next
Move 4 - open the limb 30˚, bend the knee to 90˚,
position the 2nd & 3rd fingertips open and onto the mid- session.
point of the inguinal ligament. Flex the hip towards the
opposite side shoulder and softly challenge the inguinal
ligament before moving superiorly over it. If the client has discomfort on the lateral side of
their upper thigh consider the Rectus Femoris
Continue flexing the hip fully before straightening the leg
Procedure at a follow-up session.
at the knee, then return it to rest.

Assessment
Decide which side to treat first by testing for
groin tension using the ‘Faber’ test, treat the looser
4
side first. This assessment also guides the choice of
other treatment choices, including: Sacrum, Coccyx 3

and Rectus femoris Procedures.

Place the client’s left lateral malleolus onto the 2

opposite thigh so that it rests superior to their

opposite patella. Place the therapist’s right hand
onto the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the
left hand 3rd finger into the medial aspect of the
patella crease. Gently challenge the left limb at the
groin posteriorly with the left hand pressing poste-
ro-laterally to the comfort of the client. Ask the cli-
ent for their sense of pain or tension and it’s loca-
1
tion, rest the limb straight.

Repeat on the opposite side. Asses any differences

in flexibility of the groin and ascertain any variation
in sensation on either side.

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by Jonathan Damonte for The North American Bowen Teaching College Inc.
Move 1
‘Hit the Lat.’ Draw skin to the postero-lateral border
of vastus lateralis and sink the thumbs against the
posterior edge of the vastus lateralis tendon, engage
a gentle challenge antero-medially into the vastus
lateralis tendon and move the thumbs, hands and
wrists, slowly, antero-medially over the vastus late-
ralis tendon until the tendon releases its tension
under the challenge.
Move 2
Explain to your client that this next move is being
made on the inside of their thigh and close to their
pubic bone. Be conscientious to the clients comfort
with your working in a private area, be certain that
you have their permission to continue.
Drape their groin and opposite limb appropriately
before proceeding. Using the palmar aspect of the
2nd or 3rd fingers of both hands placed inferior to
the mid-point of the inguinal ligament tease aside
the adipose tissue as you move the position of the
fingers postero-medially until the fingers are resting
4
3 tension created.
2
1
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on the insertion and belly of the Adductus longus
tendon at its insertion adjacent to the pubic bone.
The 4th & 5th fingers of the superior hand should be
flexed to avoid contact with the genitals 2nd & 3rd
fingers extended onto the Adductus longus tendon.
From this point push skin slack posteriorly to the
posterior border of the Adductus longus tendon
with the 2nd & 3rd fingers of both hands. Curl the
tips of the fingers and challenge the Adductus lon-
gus tendon antero-laterally for 20 seconds to soften
the tension in it. Use the arms and shoulders to trac-
tion and ensure an even challenge. After the client
has made a second full exhalation release the ten-
sion created by the challenge to the Adductus lon-
gus tendon by gently opening the fingers and drop-
ping the wrists.
Move 3
Place the palmar aspect of both thumbs lying tip-to-
tip onto the belly of the sartorius muscle approxi-
mately 3 finger-widths inferior to the ASIS (anterior
superior iliac spine). Draw the skin to the lateral
edge of the sartorius muscle and sink the thumbs
beside its lateral edge. Engage challenge medially to
create tension in it and then move the thumbs
through and over the sartorius muscle releasing the
Open the client’s same side lower limb to approxi-
mately 20˚ from the midline and flex their knee to
90˚. Place the palmar aspect of the 2nd & 3rd fin-
gers of the superior hand onto the inguinal liga-
ment, position the 2nd finger on the mid-point of
the inguinal ligament and the 3rd finger 1” medial to
it. With the elbows apart position the inferior hand
onto the client’s leg below the knee. If the client has
a heavier limb the therapist can position their infe-
rior hand under the client’s thigh at the popliteal
fossa. Ensure the limb is relaxed and you are well
balanced to perform Move (4) of this procedure.
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 Modules 1-2 Bowen Therapy Instruction Manual

Move 4
On the client’s exhalation lift and comfortably
extend their flexed thigh and knee towards the
opposite shoulder using the inferior hand at the
knee to support and leverage its movement. When
the client’s thigh covers the therapist’s superior
hand tip the 2nd & 3rd fingers further into the ingui-
nal crease and apply a gentle challenge onto the
inguinal ligament, this is like softly playing onto a
tight band and requires only a gentle signal. Gently
move superiorly (strum) over the inguinal ligament
with the palmar aspect of the 2nd & 3rd fingers.

Finally, to the comfort of the client extend the leg in

the direction of the opposite shoulder so as to
stretch the thigh and hamstrings and then fully
straighten it at the knee before lowering the straight-
ened limb to rest on the treatment table applying
gentle traction to the knee and hip while holding the
ankle to lower the limb to complete rest on the treat-
ment table.

Immediately perform the above Moves (1 - 4) on the

opposite limb.

Provide A Minimum 2 Minute Pause

Leg Position for Move 4

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by Jonathan Damonte for The North American Bowen Teaching College Inc.

AFTERCARE & EXERCISE

Walk as often as possible and guard the natural sym-
metry of the lower back area whilst sitting and ris-
ing especially during activity following the treat-
ment. Urge the client not to remain seated for too
long a period of time so as to avoid returning their
lower back area into its old patterns of misalign-
ment.

The following daily exercise for the pelvic floor and

Quadriceps muscles and tendons to aid the align-
ment of the hip are recommended the day after
treatment. Perform for both limbs starting with the
better side.

Whilst laying on your back draw the heel towards

the same side buttock, relax the limb. Now,
extend and straighten the leg so that the foot is
elevated from the surface to their comfort.

Then, slowly lower the limb using the groin and

abdominal muscles for this effort and feel the
resistance coming from the Abductus longus
muscles. Do this as slowly as is comfortable until
the limb lays flat. Repeat 6 X for each limb.

The object is to remind the muscles to let-go any

contraction and elongate the groin muscles.

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