Ortho-Bionomy® reduces acute and chronic pain by restoring the body to it's correct alignment.
The key to natural health involves
returning muscles, bones and joints as well as fluids, energy and spirit to
their correct arrangements. When
everything is in its proper place transformation is possible. Sessions are now available in Evanston, IL and the greater Chicago area.
Ortho-Bionomy Therapy gently moves us into positions that rediscover our natural order. The notion that certain body positions can benefit health goes back thousands of years, (from yoga to the martial arts). .
Ortho-Bionomy works with the sensors within our muscles that cause most of our painful symptoms. Tender points develop when the sensors of the proprioceptive reflex system in the body become dysfunctional.
These sensors monitor our physical structure at all times including our sense of movement and posture. The reflex arcs, which are created by this information, help coordinate all of our movements, muscle tone, and maintain our posture and form physical habits.
Once the Practitioner moves a joint into a comfortable position, within 10 to 90 seconds the body begins to release muscle spasm, restore normal muscle tone, increase circulation, remove pressure on nerves, and allow bones and joints to move freely. All the energy and attention that was used to deal with pain is now available to the body’s healing process. In many cases the position created is the original position of injury.
Ortho-Bionomy Therapy is extremely helpful for pain and trauma. It may also help with a wide range of problems including:
- Hip pain, Sciatica and Sacroiliac pain / disk problems
- Neck pain, migraines and tension headaches
- Fibromyalgia Syndrome
- Knee, foot and ankle pain
- Trauma and PTSD
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Sprains and inflamation of various joints / arthritic conditions
- Stress management and prevention
- Whiplash, falls and other impact injuries
A Treatment example: Many
clients that see us have acute low back pain, and pain running down a
leg. Often releasing the hip muscles (psoas muscle) helps the body
reduce these painful symptoms.
In such cases we locate a tender point
related to the problem, move the hips into the position of comfort,
hold or adjust the position until there is change. We could repeat this
and/or look for other points and positions that may be involved.
Corresponding points on the feet might be addressed through direct
pressure. A gentle movement might be used to integrate the changes that
occurred.
Ortho-Bionomy Therapy has a unique perspective that expands the use of positioning.The founder of Ortho-Bionomy, Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, believed that we had an innate intelligence that knew how to self-correct.
Finding the best position for release was not just about the pressure and distortion of the proprioceptors, but depended on the intention of the practitioner to encounter (and be in relationship with) our natural self-healing.
In Ortho-Bionomy the client is empowered to take control of his or her own healing. Dr. Pauls also developed Ortho-Bionomy energy techniques to access more subtle levels of healing.
Ortho-Bionomy Therapy is an Osteopathic based technique. Dr. Pauls, an British trained Osteopath, created this system in the 1970's after being exposed to Lawrence Jones 1964 article entitled "Spontaneous Release By Positioning." Jones had a sucessful Osteopathic practice in the 1950's when he discovered by accident that when he placed the body into a comfortable position pain and dysfunction would heal quickly. He initially called this approach to pain “spontaneous release by positioning.”
This work is now known generically as Positional Release or as the "fold and hold" technique." Dr. Pauls added his own unique elements including his knowledge of judo and an emphasis on using energy to achieve the same results.
Pauls chose the word "Ortho-Bionomy" for his variation on positional release. The word "Ortho" or straight, "bio" or life, and "nomy" which means the principles or laws governing. Together it meant "the correct application of the natural laws of life." In 1976 Dr. Pauls began to teach Ortho-Bionomy to students in the USA.
I studied Ortho-Bionomy Therapy for many years with a number of instructors. I also began my own study of other versions of positional release methods to formulate my own understanding of the process. Ortho-Bionomy continues to be the biggest influence. I am currently an Advanced Practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy.
There are some conditions where Ortho-Bionomy Therapy is not recommended. These include: circulatory ailments such as phlebitis or varicose veins and it should never be performed directly over bruises, open wounds, inflamed or infected injuries, areas of bleeding or heavy tissue damage, or at the sites of recent fractures. It's best to consult your obstetrician before any massage during pregnancy.
More Information:
Ortho-Bionomy® is a registered trademark of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International, Inc. and is used with permission.
