Bowenwork, How does it work?

Stretch And Relax: Most Bowen moves are done either at the origin, insertion of the belly of muscles; tendons or ligaments, where the Golgi and Spindle nerve receptors are located. These receptors inform the nervous system of the state of tension, length or stretch in the muscles and tendons and are stimulated during the rolling part of the Bowen therapy movement.

Spinal Reflexes: Many of Bowen moves are performed along the spine over the erector muscles (two thick columns of heavy muscles on either side of the spinal column which run from the base of the pelvis to almost the full length of the spine) 

Fascia: The fascia, which are sheets of connective tissue, connect everything in the body, muscles, bones, internal organs and the central nervous system. They play a major role in muscle coordination, flexibility, postural alignment and overall structural and functional integrity. Bowen moves free the relationship between the fascia and the nerve, muscle or tendon being addressed.

What Happens: A Bowen move consists of mild finger pressure against the side of a muscle or tendon for about three seconds, then a rolling movement of over the top of the muscle or tendon, then a release, which allows the muscle or tendon to spring back to its normal position. Bowen moves are often performed in pairs, called "stoppers" that contain the effects of subsequent moves within a limited area.

Then muscles or tendons are moved to create an impulse that rebounds from the stoppers back and forth for about two  minutes until the area relaxes completely. This relaxation response is most probably mediated by the Golgi tendon apparatus. When the tendon is presses sideways, then releases, the Golgi apparatus sends an impulse to the spinal cored that causes a relaxation  reflex in the muscle.