Article - Bowen Therapy

Can Bowen Therapy help Vertigo?

Vertigo is a symptom of an underlying condition, not a disease itself, characterized by a false sensation of spinning, swaying, or tilting. It causes intense dizziness and balance issues, often described as feeling as though you or your surroundings are moving when they are not. It is commonly caused by inner ear problems. 

Key Symptoms and Characteristics

  • Spinning Sensation: A feeling that you or the room is rotating.

  • Balance Issues: Difficulty walking or standing.

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  • Nausea/Vomiting: Frequent stomach upset.

  • Nystagmus: Rapid, uncontrollable, or rhythmic eye movements.

  • Additional Symptoms: Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), headache, or a feeling of fullness in the ear.

Main Types of Vertigo

  1. Peripheral Vertigo (Most Common): Occurs due to problems in the inner ear or vestibular nerve, which controls balance. Examples include Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, and infections.

  2. Central Vertigo: Results from a problem in the brain, such as a stroke, tumor, or migraine.

Causes and Triggers

  • BPPV: The most common cause, triggered by small calcium particles (crystals) in the ear shifting, often caused by changes in head position.

  • Inner Ear Infections: Such as vestibular neuritis.

  • Meniere's Disease: A disorder causing fluid buildup in the inner ear.

  • Brain Issues: Stroke, multiple sclerosis, or migraines.

  • Nutrient Deficiencies: Such as vitamin B12 or D deficiency, or iron deficiency.

Consult a doctor if vertigo is severe or persistent. Seek emergency care if vertigo is accompanied by: sudden, severe headache, double vision or loss of vision. weakness or numbness in arms/legs and trouble breathing or chest pain. For "crystal-related" vertigo (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), specialized maneuvers like the Epley Maneuver are effective for immediate relief.


Bowen Therapy as a treatment option for helping with Vertigo.

Yes, Bowen therapy can be a helpful, non-invasive option for managing vertigo, particularly when the dizziness is linked to musculoskeletal tensionneck misalignment, or nervous system stress. Many practitioners and clients report significant improvements—sometimes after just a few sessions

How Bowen Therapy May Help with Vertigo

Rather than forceful manipulation, Bowen therapy uses gentle rolling movements over specific muscles and fascia to stimulate the body's self-healing mechanisms. 

  • Structural Alignment: Practitioners target the neck, jaw (TMJ), and upper spine to release tension that can confuse the body's balance centers.

  • Nervous System Regulation: The therapy encourages "parasympathetic activation" (the rest-and-digest state), which can reduce the anxiety and stress that often worsen vertigo symptoms.

  • Improved Circulation and Drainage: Moves around the head and neck may improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage, potentially helping with inner ear fluid stagnation.

.Bowen therapy is often specifically recommended for:

  • Cervicogenic Vertigo: Dizziness caused by poor neck posture or cervical spine trauma.

  • TMJ-Related Vertigo: Tension in the jaw joint, which is located very close to the inner ear.

  • Stress-Induced Dizziness: Cases where symptoms are triggered or heightened by emotional or physical stress. 

Bowen sessions are usually spaced 5–7 days apart to allow the body time to process the physical "cues" given during the session.

Vertigo Success Stories

  • Complete Resolution of Chronic Vertigo: A case study reported that after experiencing vertigo attacks once a year for 5 years—which often lingered for weeks despite other therapies—the client sought Bowen Therapy. After three sessions, the vertigo was completely gone, and the client remained free of symptoms for several months.

  • Reduced Frequency of Episodes: A patient with vertebral artery dissection (a tear in the neck artery causing vertigo) experienced a significant reduction in symptoms. Initially suffering from frequent, severe episodes, after multiple Bowen sessions, the client reported no dizziness and a reduction in neck/shoulder pain.

  • Rapid Improvement in Dizziness: A client who suffered from severe headaches and vertigo described a "24-hour nightmare" of noise and dizziness. After Bowen therapy, which focused on the head and neck, they experienced significant improvement in their mobility, and their dizziness decreased.

  • Post-Viral Syndrome and Balance: A patient with Post Viral Syndrome, who suffered from very poor balance and used walking sticks, used Bowen therapy to manage symptoms. While it was a gradual process, they noted significant improvements in their ability to manage pain and mobility over several months.

  • VERTIGO - Grace, 39.  After my first Bowen treatment, I felt extremely tired for about three days. Then I started to steadily improve.  I had less pain, no falling down, almost no vertigo and I was walking and sleeping better.  Unbelievable!         

  • VERTIGO – Geoff.    Medical tests determined that I suffered from Chronic Vertigo secondary to left abnormal labyrinth. Drugs prescribed by my neurologist had no effect on my condition. Doctors said there was nothing they could do for me. I was off work for 6 months. I tried Bowen on a friend’s suggestion that she knew of someone with vertigo who was cured by this therapy. After 3 treatments I’ve been feeling great & will be returning to work soon. Also I was retested by my neurologist and the tests showed no abnormality. 

It is recommended to consult with a qualified Bowen Therapist to create a personalized plan.