What Is Ortho-Bionomy?
Ortho-Bionomy is a natural form of body therapy that uses comfortable positions and gentle movement to release patterns of pain and tension.
Safe and gentle yet profoundly effective, Ortho-Bionomy works "with" the body, stimulating inner awareness and the natural ability to move towards comfort and balance.
Ortho-Bionomy allows healing from within. In addition to relieving pain a sense of balance and well-being is restored. Positive results are often experienced after the first visit.
What is a session like?
You remain fully clothed. The practitioner moves you into comfortable positions and uses gentle movements to release patterns of pain and tension in your body. An emphasis is put on your comfort.
The experience is often quite relaxing. Tension and stress seem to melt away. After the session many people notice improved posture, areas of pain usually show relief. An improved sense of well-being is common.
How does Ortho-Bionomy work?
Ortho-Bionomy works directly with the part of the nervous system that keeps us balanced and gives our body awareness of itself. When confronted with injury, stress, or other threats, our bodies can take on defensive postures.
Ortho-Bionomy recognizes the bodies innate ability to move away from pain and towards comfort and ease. By positioning the body for comfort, messages are sent to the brain that allow it to let go of the tension and allow the body to return to a relaxed posture. The healing comes from within as the body’s healing reflexes are engaged.
What conditions can Ortho-Bionomy help with?
- Neck and back pain.
- Shoulder pain.
- Sciatic pain.
- Knee pain.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Chronic Pain: Neck, back, and all joints.
- Fibromyalgia. Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Digestive difficulty.
- Recovery from injury.
- Headaches and sinus issues.
- Muscle pain, stiffness, repetitive strain, whiplash, joint immobility. Lack of energy.
- Physical symptoms associated with stress and emotional response.
- Improving inner awareness.
What makes Ortho-Bionomy unique?
- By seeking comfort Ortho-Bionomy works “with” the body. No forceful manipulations are used.
- Ortho-Bionomy supports what the body is already doing. This allows the body’s self-correcting and self-balancing reflexes of the nervous system to be stimulated.
- The body is reeducated to find and maintain comfort.
- Because the healing comes from within the results are long lasting.
- Ortho-Bionomy is an affirming therapy that honors where you are, within your comfort.
What do people notice during and after an Ortho- Bionomy session?
The experience is often quite relaxing, in fact for most Ortho- Bionomy is as relaxing as massage. After the session many people notice feeling taller due to corrected posture. Areas of pain usually show relief. A sense of well-being is common.
Occasionally it takes a day or two before relief is noticed. This is because as tension patterns are released through Ortho-Bionomy they continue to release throughout the body for the next two or three days.
How long does it take to get results?
Many clients notice immediate improvement in pain and balance after the first session. For long term chronic pain it might take two to four sessions before you notice significant change. A series of sessions might be needed to achieve to your goals. Each person is unique. Discuss this with your practitioner.
Is Ortho-Bionomy safe?
Although Ortho-Bionomy facilitates healing on the deepest levels it is gentle and safe. The focus is on going where the body wants to go, where it's comfortable. Force is never used.
Ortho-Bionomy is not a replacement for medical care. Urgent medical issues should be addressed immediately with a doctor. Ortho-Bionomy can often be an important adjunctive therapy with medical care.
How was Ortho-Bionomy developed?
Ortho-Bionomy was developed in the early 1970s by Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, a British Osteopath and judo instructor. Seeking a way to work with the body that honored our innate ability to self heal Dr. Pauls incorporated the principals of the following:
Osteopathy
"Structure Governs Function"
Judo
“Maximum efficiency with minimum effort".
“Greatest strength and fluidity comes from moving with your partner not against”.
Homeopathy
“Less is more”.
"Like cures like".
He discovered that by working WITH the body and not against it, the body could find balance on its own. Dr. Pauls began teaching Ortho- Bionomy in 1976.
For more information on the history and development of Ortho- Bionomy visit the Society of Ortho-Bionomy Int.
What does the name Ortho-Bionomy mean?
The name Ortho-Bionomy comes from Greek roots. "Ortho" means "the correct use of", "Bio" means "life", and "Nomy" means "the principles or laws governing". Putting it together you have "the correct use of the principles of life".
What are the principals of Ortho-Bionomy?
- The client's comfort is of primary importance. Ortho-Bionomy is about facilitating the experience of comfort.
- All movement is towards the client's comfort.
- Less is more.
- Follow the path of least resistance.
- Go with the flow.
- Acknowledge and support what is already happening and allow it to change.
- Be nonjudgmental.
- For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
- Ortho-Bionomy honors the innate wisdom of the body.
Can Ortho-Bionomy be combined with Massage?
Yes. Ortho-Bionomy mixes well with Massage. While doing a Massage, areas that are particularly tense can be released with Ortho-Bionmy, then the Massage continues. Likewise Massage strokes can be used to integrate changes from Ortho-Bionomy work.
Ortho-Bionomy® is a registered trademark of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International, Inc. and is used with permission.
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