What is Ortho-Bionomy®?
Ortho-Bionomy® is a gentle, painless approach to bodywork, that uses positions of comfort to initiate innate self-corrective reflexes that remind the body of its own natural ability to find balance. It unlocks tension, relieves pain, improves structural balance, accelerates healing, and promotes relaxation, self-awareness and overall well-being.
​
​
​
The name signifies a technique which is harmonious with the laws of nature. There are no forceful manipulations or deep muscle probing in Ortho-Bionomy® and It is safe even in cases of acute injury and pain. The client is placed in positions of comfort to allow innate reflexes in the body to bring about a self correction.
Ortho
Bio
Nomy
means correct
means life
means law
By educating the client to their postural preferences, the body's natural ability to self-correct is engaged: tense muscles and ligaments relax, stress and emotional tension are released and natural alignment and balance are restored. Participants often report a deep sense of inner harmony and self- recognition. The session begins a neuromuscular re-education process with in the body and central nervous system.
How did it originate?
Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, an English Osteopath, developed Ortho-Bionomy® in the early 70's. His goal was to find a way to nurture the parts of the body back to where they belong so they function better and the client has an understanding of that improved function. The key came from the work of Dr. Lawrence Jones,
D.O. a substitute instructor who had written an article and demonstrated to Pauls, Spontaneous Release by Positioning, describing a body's ability to correct without the use of force. Pauls' own exploration took over and he began to evolve a system that eventually became Ortho-Bionomy®
How does Ortho-Bionomy® work?
Ortho-Bionomy stimulates the body's self-correcting and self-balancing reflexes by way of the proprioceptive reflexes located in our joints and muscles. The proprioceptive reflexes give us a sense of where we are in relation to everything around us and contribute to our ability to perceive our surroundings and ourselves in a realistic reasonable way. When there is pain, there is often shortening of tissue, compression of joints, and inhibition of blood flow.
The practitioner uses movement and gentle compression to find positions of comfort which allow the body to change the stress and pain patterns which are causing discomfort. By supporting and slightly exaggerating the postural position of imbalance, sensory motor impulses to the CNS (via the proprioceptive reflexes) are heightened and the pattern of tension is clarified and emphasized. It is as though we are saying to the CNS, Look Here! This is a clear picture of how this tissue is held. The body then coordinates the appropriate response to bring about self correction.
What can you expect in a session?
After a short conversation and gathering of information the client wearing loose comfortable clothing, will usually lay on a massage table. with light palpations the practitioner will locate tight, sensitive or tender points. Once located, the body is placed into a comfortable position and a light compression is usually added. This is held until a release is felt. You will sometimes be asked to communicate how your body feels in that area and if you notice a change at the affected area or other places. Words to describe what you are feeling might include: softer, expanded, relaxed, and warm. Because that area has improved , you may notice other areas as painful, tense or stiff. Please make the practitioner aware of this and the treatment can be adjusted to that area. This and other variations, including active and passive movement, will continue until the area has been treated and any changes integrated in relation to the whole body. A typical session is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour in duration.
What conditions can it help?
Ortho- Bionomy® works with and supports many systems of the body. While working through and with the nervous system, it is able address all aspects of the musco-skeletal system, the various organs, the lymphatic and circulatory systems, the cranial sacral system, and the energetic and emotional bodies.
It is effective for relieving both acute and chronic pain, restricted movement and loss of function due to structural issues, head and body trauma and systemic issues such as endocrine, fibromyalgia, lupus, migraines, arthritis, spinal disorders, secondary effects of diabetes, surgical trauma and breathing disorders. It is also helpful for stress relief, relaxation, and improving ones overall sense of well-being,
What to expect after a session?
The treatment can be very relaxing. Sitting for a few minutes or a short walk before driving may be helpful. Avoiding stress for the remainder of the day would be congruent with the session. There is often, but not always and immediate relief of symptoms. It is not unusual to notice changes and improvements for several days afterwards. Because of this, it is usually best to wait 5 days to a week before an additional session.
