Bowen Therapy in Braunton, North Devon

Assessment-Led Bodywork with Phil Steward

Physical assessment, targeted hands-on treatment and reassessment in North Devon

You may have been recommended to see Phil without knowing which treatment to ask for. That is fine—you can book an appointment to discuss your difficulties and have your body physically assessed.

With over 30 years of professional practice, Phil works with people experiencing persistent back, neck and shoulder discomfort, muscular tension and restricted movement.

Your appointment begins with your history and a physical assessment of restrictions and how different areas of your body relate to one another. These findings guide where Phil works, the techniques he uses and the sequence of treatment.

Phil’s approach has developed over more than 30 years of practice and training in massage, sports massage, sports injury treatment, Ayurvedic massage, advanced manipulative therapy, Bowen and the Dorn Method. He brings that experience to each appointment, using physical assessment to guide treatment and reassessment to check what has changed.

You don’t need to know which treatment to ask for. Tell Phil what’s troubling you and what you’d like to get back to doing. He’ll explain his findings and discuss how he can help.

Back Pain Support in Braunton

Looking for a Bowen therapist in North Devon? Phil Steward offers assessment-led Bowen therapy at Hands On Clinic in Braunton, drawing on over 30 years of professional practice.

Bowen is a gentle, hands-on technique involving small, controlled movements over soft tissue. Each appointment is guided by your history, physical assessment and response to treatment.

People contact Phil about persistent back, neck and shoulder discomfort, muscular tension and restricted movement—including those who have experienced only temporary relief from previous treatment.

Assess → Treat → Reassess

Assess: Discuss your symptoms and treatment history, then physically assess your body, including movement, relevant restrictions and how different areas relate to one another.

Treat: Use hands-on techniques selected from Phil’s training and experience, guided by the findings of your physical assessment.

Reassess: Physically reassess relevant movement and restrictions, review your response, and discuss appropriate next steps.

Phil’s approach focuses on identifying the Principal Restriction—the restriction he considers most relevant to guiding your treatment.

Results vary. Where medical assessment or another professional’s input is appropriate, Phil will discuss that with you.

Clients travel to us from Braunton, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Bideford, across North Devon and from much further afield for Bowen therapy that focuses on long-term improvement rather than short-term relief.

Link to medical study: Bowen and Neck Pain

More Information.

More Research in to Bowen Therapy

What happens at an appointment with Phil?

Your appointment begins with a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, previous treatment and what you would like to do more comfortably.

Phil then physically assesses your body, checking relevant movement and restrictions. Depending on your presentation, this may include assessing areas beyond the place where you feel discomfort.

He explains his findings and uses targeted Bowen techniques guided by that assessment. Relevant physical checks are repeated to review your response and help decide the next steps.

You can ask questions throughout the appointment. If your symptoms need medical assessment or another professional’s input, Phil will discuss this with you.

Find support for your symptoms

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About your therapist

Phil Steward has over 30 years of professional practice. His original Bowen qualification was with AORBTA, and his further training includes the Dorn Method.

Is this approach appropriate for me?

People seek appointments with Phil for concerns including:

Back, neck and shoulder discomfort
Hip, knee and ankle discomfort
Muscular tension and restricted movement
Recurring discomfort associated with work or physical activity

You do not need to know the cause of your discomfort before contacting us. Phil will discuss your history and physically assess your body to help determine whether his approach is appropriate.

If you have a diagnosed condition, recent injury or operation, or are receiving medical treatment, mention this when booking. Bowen therapy does not replace medical care.

What if I have already tried other treatments?

Previous treatment and your response to it are useful parts of your history. Tell Phil what helped, what did not, and whether any improvement lasted.

Your treatment is guided by your assessment, with progress reviewed through physical reassessment and your feedback. Individual results vary.

How many appointments will I need?

The number of appointments depends on your symptoms, assessment findings and response to treatment.

Phil reviews progress through physical reassessment and your feedback, including changes in movement, comfort and everyday activities. Follow-up appointments are discussed with you based on that progress.

If no measurable improvement is seen after three sessions, Phil will reassess the approach and discuss alternative options rather than continuing unnecessarily.

You remain involved in decisions about your treatment, and the choice to continue is always yours.

Why physical assessment matters

Similar symptoms can be accompanied by different movement restrictions. Physical assessment helps Phil plan treatment around your individual presentation.

He checks relevant areas of the body and considers how restrictions may relate to one another. These findings guide where he works and the order of treatment.

Reassessment then checks what has changed. Alongside your feedback, this helps guide the next step in your care.