title: The effects of the Bowen technique on hamstring flexibility over time: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: The hamstring muscles are regularly implicated in recurrent injuries, movement dysfunction and low back pain. Links between limited flexibility and development of neuromusculoskeletal symptoms are frequently reported. The Bowen Technique is used to treat many conditions including lack of flexibility. The study set out to investigate the effect of the Bowen Technique on hamstring flexibility over time. An assessor-blind, prospective, randomised controlled trial was performed on 120 asymptomatic volunteers. Participants were randomly allocated into a control group or Bowen group. Three flexibility measurements occurred over one week, using an active knee extension test. The intervention group received a single Bowen treatment. A repeated measures univariate analysis of variance, across both groups for the three time periods, revealed significant within-subject and between-subject differences for the Bowen group. Continuing increases in flexibility levels were observed over one week. No significant change over time was noted for the control group.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Dietetics, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK. info@therapyfusion.com
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marr
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Nicky
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lambon
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018583:Pliability / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013848:Thigh / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult