Pediatric Functional Bowen™: Bodywork for Babies

Kate is trained in a form of bodywork for babies called Pediatric Functional Bowen™.  Created by Judy Terwilliger of Know Mor Integrative Functional Health, this is a form of very gentle release that uses a light strumming or rolling movement on the musculature derived from the traditional Bowen Therapy Method developed by Tom Bowen, an Australian Osteopath. Traditional Bowen Therapy is suitable for anyone at any age. Both applications promote “less is best” and support the theory that “the body improves its own regulatory processes best”. Pediatric Functional Bowen™ Therapy is a specifically focused muscle balancing application for the areas of body involved in structure‐function imbalances. Unlike Traditional Bowen for babies, Pediatric Functional Bowen™ Therapy directly addresses the specific muscle/muscle group structures assessed to be hindering physical and or physiological function. It specifically promotes functional mobility of the musculature while it gently promotes balance and symmetry of the body. Breastfeeding difficulties and or feeding dysfunctions are prime examples of what it can successfully address. 

What does a session look like?

• We begin with the birth story and structural assessment.  Babies can be predisposed to feeling stuck in their bodies with limited movement in their musculature from different in utero and birth experiences.  Any of these experiences can influence the need for bodywork:
  • Complicated or high stress pregnancy
  • Prolonged or complicated labor
  • Precipitous (too fast) labor
  • Early engagement of fetal position prior to labor onset
  • Cesarean section
  • Pitocin or hormonal labor stimulation
  • Epidural administration
  • Head traction or external extraction with delivery
  • Low amniotic fluid levels/space constraints
• Structural assessment is visual and the practitioner will gently move the baby's arms and legs.
• Light strumming of the muscles begins with the back and hamstrings, then moves to the next and mid body.  Specific muscles of the face and mouth are targeted for possible tongue restriction.  These muscles are often very tight and the baby may cry when they are moved.  The light work can also tickle.  
• The work is done slowly, giving the baby lots of breaks.  It is combined with craniosacral therapy and support for the mother/family.
• Heated pillows are used to help the muscles soften, and home massages, stretches and movements are taught

Coming Soon: Case Study

​Kate has truly changed our lives. My 9 week old daughter was a "high needs" baby; constantly crying and fussing, never comfortable and happy, and needing to be held and bounced all the time. We saw Kate for bodywork to help with my daughter's torticollis and nursing problems as a result of revised tongue and lip tie, in addition to her perpetual unhappy state. Kate saw how uncomfortable my daughter was and how desperate I was for help, and she met us with calm confidence that with daily sessions things would improve. At first during our sessions my daughter screamed and fussed through the entire hour, but Kate was very respectful of my baby and never pushed too hard. She was also incredibly patient with the fact that we couldn't always get in all of the treatment in one session. As the days went on, I was noticing that my baby was smiling. Happy. Allowing me to put her down for a few minutes. Sleeping soundly and comfortably. And, best of all, nursing had improved immensely and my daughter can more easily suck and transfer milk. It has been an incredible transformation in only a weeks time. Thank you, Kate, for your wisdom and your patience and your love of helping babies and mamas. We are so grateful for you."

Here is a longer testimony from a mother here.