The Bowen Technique was pioneered by Thomas Ambrose Bowen of Victoria, Australia, in the 1950's. Alone he treated 50 patient a day, most of whom required only one or two treatments to return to complete fitness.

During his 66-year life he developed and refined his 'technique', teaching it to only six others during this time. Each of these 'boys' learned at different stages of Bowen's own development, and thus came away with differing interpretations, applying the method to suit their own professional needs.

What is unique to Tom Bowen's method is the "cross-fibre challenge and roll" approach to muscles, which has a unique impact via the golgi tendons and muscle spindles, through to the muscle fascia.

Oswald Rentsch ('Ossie') was the first of the 'six boys' to be trained by Bowen, and documented his work. He has been responsible for the formation of the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia (BTAA) and the Bowen Association in the UK, and for introducing the technique into many countries worldwide.