The Spiritual Roots of Bowen Therapy

The Spiritual Roots of Bowen Therapy: A Christian Warning Against New Age Healing

Bowen Therapy, also known as the Bowen Technique, is a form of alternative bodywork that involves gentle soft tissue manipulation. Practitioners use their thumbs or fingers to perform subtle, rolling movements across muscles, tendons, and fascia. The therapist often leaves the room between these movements for a few minutes, claiming that the body needs time to “absorb” the signals and begin self-healing. While this method may appear harmless or even relaxing, the deeper roots and spiritual implications of Bowen Therapy reveal a troubling connection to New Age energy healing and occult philosophy—a serious concern for any follower of Jesus Christ.

Who Founded Bowen Therapy?

Bowen Therapy was developed by Thomas Ambrose Bowen (1916–1982), an Australian with no formal medical training. Despite this, he claimed his technique could help the body heal naturally. Bowen reportedly received his inspiration through what he called a "gift from God" or intuition, although he could not fully explain how he developed the movements.

This is common in New Age and occult circles, where many healing techniques are said to be “revealed” through spiritual insight, divine messages, or even channeled wisdom. The Bible warns us about revelations that do not come from God but from familiar spirits (Leviticus 19:31, 1 Timothy 4:1).

What Is the Belief System Behind It?

Though Bowen Therapy is marketed as a physical therapy, its core philosophy is rooted in the belief that the body can heal itself when properly "triggered". These "triggers" are often energetic, implying that the body stores trauma, imbalance, or disease that must be released or realigned.

This is a hallmark of New Age healing, which incorporates beliefs from Eastern mysticism, energy manipulation, and even forms of divination. The idea that a therapist can stimulate “energy flow” or guide the body’s innate wisdom to heal itself reflects a worldview that is entirely contrary to Biblical Christianity. It removes the focus from Jesus Christ as the healer and places healing in the hands of mystical bodywork and energy theories.

What Spirituality or Culture Is Behind Bowen Therapy?

Though Thomas Bowen did not publicly adhere to a specific religion, his approach aligns closely with New Age spirituality, which borrows heavily from Hindu, Taoist, and occult philosophies. These systems believe in an impersonal universal energy (often called chi, prana, or life force) that flows through the body and must be balanced for health. This belief is not scientific—it is spiritual, and deeply pagan.

Such ideas stem from cultures that worship multiple gods or believe in a cosmic force rather than a personal, sovereign God. These systems do not acknowledge sin, salvation, or the authority of Jesus Christ. Instead, healing is seen as a self-directed process powered by mystical energies.

"For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator..." — Romans 1:25

Can Christians Use It?

Absolutely not. While the movements may seem physically harmless, the spiritual philosophy behind Bowen Therapy is not. The Bible clearly warns us not to engage with practices rooted in false religion or occultism.

“What fellowship can light have with darkness?” — 2 Corinthians 6:14
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” — Romans 12:2

Attempting to “Christianize” a New Age or occult practice does not sanctify it. If Jesus didn’t do it, and if it doesn’t point to the cross, we should not participate in it.

The Spiritual Consequences

Many believers who dabble in occult healing methods suffer from spiritual torment as a result. Symptoms often include:

• Bypassing the curses - instead of looking at the spiritual roots of disease

• Heal yourself - no dependence on God

• Emotional confusion or fear

• Persistent unease or oppression

These are not mere psychological issues—they are often signs of demonic infestation. Deliverance through repentance and prayer is needed to break free and receive peace.

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too.” — 1 Corinthians 10:21

Conclusion

As Christians, we are called to walk in truth and light. Bowen Therapy may appear gentle and therapeutic, but its spiritual foundation is built on deception and rebellion against God’s truth. Healing must come through Jesus Christ alone, not through energy, body signals, or mystical absorption.

Avoiding these deceptive healing practices protects not only your physical body but your soul. Don’t exchange God’s eternal truth for temporary relief built on lies. If you need healing, go to the One who gave His life for yours.

Methods of discernment:

• Who was the founder of this modality?

• What was his/her spirituality?

• What culture did it come out of?

• What were their beliefs?

• Who is their God or gods?

Many occult practices in Christianity need to be discerned.  Another method of discernment is the Word of God. The word of God is our measuring stick. The more we read the word, know the word, and have a relationship with the Lord, the more we discern right and wrong. We perish from a lack of knowledge.

Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”

By Teresa Morin, President of Touch of God Int'l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance. 

See list of occult practices. 

If you've been involved in a new age, occult, or cult, it can invite demonic spirits to torment you. If you feel tormented, you may need deliverance.

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