Bowenwork for migraine relief: A practitioner gently applying Bowenwork to a client's neck.

Bowenwork: A Gentle Path to Migraine Relief

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Could this soft-tissue technique be the answer to chronic migraine and neck pain?"

Migraine is more than just a headache; it's a complex neurological condition characterized by intense pain, neurological symptoms, and significant disruption to daily life. While many treatments focus on managing symptoms with medication, many are now exploring complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches for more holistic relief. Among these, Bowenwork, a gentle soft-tissue technique, is emerging as a promising option.

Bowenwork is a unique bodywork technique that involves gentle, precise movements over muscles, tendons, and fascia. Practitioners believe these moves stimulate the nervous system, prompting the body to reset tension patterns and reduce pain. Unlike some manual therapies, Bowenwork uses a 'less is more' approach, allowing the body to integrate changes between sets of moves.

This article explores how Bowenwork can offer relief from migraines and related neck pain, using insights from a case report that demonstrates its potential. We'll delve into the technique, its possible mechanisms, and what this means for those seeking a gentler, more holistic approach to migraine management.

How Bowenwork Tackles Migraine and Neck Pain

Bowenwork for migraine relief: A practitioner gently applying Bowenwork to a client's neck.

The case report detailed in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork highlights the experience of a 66-year-old woman who had suffered from debilitating migraines since childhood, compounded by neck and jaw injuries from motor vehicle accidents. Traditional medical and CAM treatments had provided unsatisfactory relief.

The client received 14 Bowenwork sessions over four months. What makes Bowenwork unique? Here's a breakdown:

Gentle, Precise Movements: Bowenwork uses specific, gentle 'rolling moves' over muscles, tendons, and fascia to stimulate the nervous system.
Strategic Anatomical Locations: These moves are applied to specific anatomical points to address the client's unique symptom presentation.
Rest Periods for Integration: Sessions include two-minute (or longer) pauses between sets of moves, allowing the body to process and integrate the changes.
Holistic Approach: Bowenwork addresses the entire symptom picture, considering stress reactivity and chronic conditions, not just areas of acute pain.

As the sessions progressed, the client reported a gradual decrease in both migraine and neck pain. By the end of the treatment, she no longer experienced migraines or neck pain, reduced her reliance on pain medication, and improved her overall sense of well-being and activity levels. While a respiratory infection and allergic reaction temporarily caused symptoms to recur, the overall trend was significantly positive.

Is Bowenwork Right for You?

This case report provides encouraging evidence for the potential of Bowenwork as a migraine and neck pain treatment. However, it's essential to remember that this is just one person's experience, and more research is needed to confirm these findings in larger populations.

If you're seeking a gentle, non-pharmaceutical approach to migraine management, and are dealing with chronic neck pain, Bowenwork might be worth exploring. Talk to your doctor to see if Bowenwork is a safe and appropriate option for you, and seek out a qualified Bowenwork practitioner.

Ultimately, finding the right migraine treatment is a personal journey. By exploring options like Bowenwork and working closely with healthcare professionals, you can take control of your health and find lasting relief.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3822/ijtmb.v9i1.296, Alternate LINK

Title: Bowenwork For Migraine Relief: A Case Report

Subject: Health Professions (miscellaneous)

Journal: International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice

Publisher: Massage Therapy Foundation

Authors: Sandra L. Gustafson, Mhs, Bsn, Rn

Published: 2016-03-05

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is Bowenwork, and how does it differ from other types of bodywork or massage?

Bowenwork is a soft-tissue therapy that uses gentle, precise movements over muscles, tendons, and fascia. The practitioner applies these moves to specific anatomical points, which are intended to stimulate the nervous system, prompting the body to reset tension patterns and reduce pain. A key aspect of Bowenwork is the inclusion of rest periods between sets of moves, allowing the body time to integrate the changes initiated by the treatment. This contrasts with some manual therapies that involve continuous manipulation.

How does Bowenwork specifically help in relieving migraines and neck pain?

Bowenwork addresses migraines and neck pain through gentle, precise movements on specific anatomical locations to stimulate the nervous system. This stimulation aims to reset tension patterns in muscles, tendons, and fascia, reducing pain and discomfort. The strategic pauses during Bowenwork sessions allow the body to integrate these changes, promoting a holistic approach to managing chronic conditions and stress reactivity that may contribute to migraines and neck pain.

Can you share details from the case report that supports the use of Bowenwork for migraine relief?

A case report in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork documented a 66-year-old woman with a history of migraines since childhood, along with neck and jaw injuries. After receiving 14 Bowenwork sessions over four months, the client experienced a significant reduction in both migraine and neck pain. She also decreased her reliance on pain medication and reported improvements in her overall well-being and activity levels. While temporary setbacks occurred due to a respiratory infection and allergic reaction, the overall trend was positive.

What makes Bowenwork unique compared to other manual therapies?

Bowenwork differs from other manual therapies through its gentle, precise movements and strategic rest periods. Unlike some therapies that use forceful manipulation, Bowenwork employs gentle 'rolling moves' to stimulate the nervous system. The inclusion of two-minute pauses between sets of moves allows the body to integrate the changes, promoting a more holistic approach to healing. Bowenwork also considers the entire symptom picture, addressing stress reactivity and chronic conditions, rather than just acute pain areas. Other therapies might focus on specific areas or use more aggressive techniques.

What are the potential benefits of using Bowenwork instead of, or in addition to, traditional migraine medications?

Bowenwork could offer a holistic alternative to pharmaceutical interventions for managing migraines and related neck pain. Unlike medications that primarily focus on symptom management, Bowenwork aims to address the underlying tension patterns and nervous system imbalances contributing to these conditions. While medication can provide immediate relief, Bowenwork seeks to promote long-term healing and well-being by encouraging the body's self-regulating mechanisms. More research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness in larger populations.