SALLY BOWEN

Co-Owner & Practice Manager

(Adv Cert. of Applied Science., Adv Dip. M.H., ATMS Prov No. 5140)

Sally is the founder of Bowen’s Natural Therapy Centre. Originally from Sydney, Sally made the move to the Hunter Valley 30 years ago to get away from the ‘big-smoke.’ Opening the doors in 1994, she set up her own Clinic incorporating a number of other therapists who worked with her at the original location in Keene Street, Cessnock. Then in 1999 she went into a partnership with Steve Johns when they bought the building at the current location of 46 Cumberland Street, Cessnock. In 1997 we won the “Professional Services Award” and Sally won “Career Woman of the Year” in 2000 and we have all continued to offer the best service to honour those awards. 

Sally has covered a lot of modalities in her time at Bowen’s including; Sports Medicine/Remedial, Bowen Therapy, Iridology and Medical Herbalism after completing her degree in Botanical Medicine. After practicing for 30 years across all of these modalities, she has made the decision to transition to the role of Practice Manager so that she can use her skills to support the team and assist patients by helping guide them to the right modality and team member for their needs. 

The local township and the Hunter region have been extremely supportive to Bowen’s Natural Therapy Centre for many years and with a grateful heart, Sally will continue to offer the same excellent service and support to our patients in her newest role.

STEVE JOHNS

Co-Owner & Advanced Personality Trainer

(Cert. Advanced Personality Trainer, Prac. of Counselling A.I.P.C., Cert. in Breath & Stress Therapy, Cert. ‘Dale Carnegie Management Through People)

Steve is co-owner of Bowen’s Natural Therapy Centre in partnership with his wife Sally. He is an internationally certified Advanced Personality Trainer and speaker specialising in human behaviour and relationships. Steve has spent the last 20 years coaching people in personal development and training corporate HR staff and upper management in small to large businesses like Macquarie Generation.

An outstanding communicator, Steve has a passion for delivering powerful and meaningful lessons in an entertaining and engaging way.

As well as being a Personality Trainer and Speaker, Steve is the author of ‘Up Until Now,’ a book that is the culmination of all of his experiences working with people.

Some areas Steve specialises in are:
• Learning about yourself
• Understanding personalities in relationships
• Learning how to work out of your strengths, not your weaknesses
• Simple and proven tools to gain control of your life
• How to create a peaceful mind
• How to improve communication at work and home
• Resolving your problems

Staff Training & Mentoring
• Specialising in the study of personality types and behaviour in the workplace
• How to improve the bottom line by understanding your workers needs

DENIS STEWART

Naturopath / Medical Herbalist / Ex-Conjoint Associate Professor of Newcastle University

(B.A. N.D. D.B.M. Dip.Ac Consultant Medical Herbalist/Naturopath ANTA. ATMS. NHAA. Provider No. NT0092XXAN 1035)

Denis has been practising Herbal Medicine for over 40 years and has had his rooms at Bowen’s for 13 years. He has been a major principle in teaching herbal medicine at his school on the Central Coast and continues to be a major influence in the understanding of the benefits in the field of Herbal Medicine.

He was the Conjoint Associate Professor at the Ourimbah campus of the University of Newcastle between 2002-2007 participating in establishing the “Bachelor of Herbal Therapies Degree” at the University. 

Denis has a talk back radio programme “Healthy Naturally with Denis Stewart” on 2NUR every Friday at 12.00pm where he assists people with questions about their health, giving them some advice on how to use Herbal Medicine.

Western Herbal Medicine is the oldest system of medicine in the world today. Its aim is correcting imbalances and resolving patterns of dysfunction in the chronic condition.

Some specific areas Denis specialises in are:
• Gastro intestinal / Bowel dysfunction
• Immune System
• Menopause
• Fertility
• Skin disorders
• Glandular Fever / Autoimmune / Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Migraine
• Sinus / Hay Fever / Allergies
• General Wellbeing

DR CHRIS PORTER

Registered Osteopath / NET / Dry-Needling / Cold Laser / Ultrasound

(B. Sc. Ost. Med. (HONS) PhD. Registered Osteopath. Member of Australian Osteopathic Association (AOA) and Australian Medical Laser Association (AMLA))

Chris joined Bowen’s Natural Therapy Centre in 2002 though he has been practicing as an osteopath since 1999, after graduating from The British School of Osteopathy (Est. 1917) in London and moving to Australia in 1999. To graduate as an osteopath involves doing an intensive 5 year Degree.

Osteopaths employ a variety of techniques including stretching, soft tissue work and spinal adjustments.

Chris addresses the underlying causes of many problems including:
• Sciatica
• Headaches
• Shoulder & Arm pain
• Elbow pain
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Carpal Tunnel

Drawing on both his health care training and science background (formally a PhD Chemist), Chris enjoys helping people with complex problems.

Chris looks at a person as a whole rather than just treating symptoms. Assessments may include ordering X-Rays and MRIs (as ordered by himself).

For tackling and treating complex issues, Chris has also studied  Acupuncture (for somatic dysfunction), NET (Neuro Emotional Technique) that uses applied Kinesiology and Low Level Laser Therapy.

To consider ‘difficult-to-treat-with-slow-results’ conditions such as Golfers Elbow, Plantar fasciitis,  damaged tendons etc, Chris uses ultrasound and also Cold Laser Therapy (also known as Low Level Laser Therapy or PhotoBioModulation). Using a wide mix of modalities & approaches may lead to faster and more satisfactory results.

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TREVOR SUTTON

Bowen & Myofascial Therapist

(Cert. IV Bowen, Dip. Bowen Therapy, Cert. Myofacial Therapy)

Trevor has been practising Bowen Therapy for 13 years since 2005 working in other centres and having a mobile business. Trevor is a Cert. IV Bowen Therapist and has a Diploma of Bowen Therapy.

Trevor joined Bowen’s 3 years ago and is now increasing his skills with further study to become a Myofascial Release Therapist which will allow him to do deep tissue work. This is a slow gentle to medium pressure therapy to improve restrictions and lowering tensions of the Fascia, bone, muscle and nervous system.

He has a passion for Bowen Therapy and has seen the positive results of the therapy over many years and how it has the ability to change lives. Trevor has completed a published paper on Bunions covering their causes and treatment necessary to reduce pain and discomfort.

Using Bowen Therapy Trevor can assist with:
• Bunions / Hammertoes / Plantar Fasciitis
• Asthma / Respiratory problems
• Frozen Shoulder / Carpal Tunnel / Tennis Elbow
• Neck / Jaw problems
• Migraine / Headache / Vertigo
• Stress relief

DAVID LEHMAN

Remedial Therapist

(Dip. Remedial Massage, B. Health Science)

David made the change from Mechanical Engineer to Remedial massage therapist in 1997 and ran a successful private practice in Perth since January 1998.

His initial qualification of Diploma of Remedial Massage was gained while still practicing as the operations manager at Central Coast Fair, later to become known as Erina Fair, and through further studies he graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Musculoskeletal Therapy) from Endeavour College of Natural Health.

David has an intimate knowledge of the human body through lecturing in Human Biology and clinical pathology for many years in private colleges in Perth, including the Australian College of Natural Medicine, Endeavour College of Natural Health, the Australasian Academy of Wellness Therapies, and the Australian College of Sport and Fitness.

He maintains a true love and understanding of the human body and its workings, and it was this intimate understanding of the body that helped his rapid recovery from major back surgery in 2000; 4 week recovery period instead of the predicted 18 weeks.

SHAKIRA NICHOLSON

Office Manager & Bookkeeper

Shakira started at Bowen’s Natural Therapy Centre in 1998 as a Personal Assistant to Sally and then moved onto the role of Front Office Manager. She is currently our  BAS Registered Bookkeeper for all our accounts and she assists Sally in managing the centre on her days in the office. 

Shakira is an integral part of our team and virtually runs us all in time management, office procedures and structure for current and new therapists. And we all do as we are told!!! 🙂