What is Ortho-Bionomy®?

Ortho-Bionomy is a gentle, non-invasive system of healing which is helpful in addressing many pain and stress conditions. Developed by Dr Arthur Lincoln Pauls, a British osteopath, Ortho-Bionomy supports the self-correcting capacity of the person through the use of gentle movement and positioning of the body as well as light compression into the joints. Ortho-Bionomy stimulates long-lasting changes by re-educating the client’s body so that it can effectively maintain balance and optimal functioning on its own.

After receiving Ortho-Bionomy sessions clients report experiencing pain relief, increased range of motion, greater ease of motion, better structural realignment and postural balance, increased relaxation, more efficient functioning, faster recovery times from injuries, a greater sense of self empowerment, increased vitality and emotional balance, and an increased sense of wholeness and wellbeing.

Conditions Which Ortho-Bionomy Can Help

Because of the gentle nature of Ortho-Bionomy, this work is very helpful for many different types of problems and conditions. Among those are:
Injuries including:

Joint and muscle pain and dysfunction
Whiplash trauma
Repetitive strain injuries
Rotator cuff injuries
Knee pain
Ankle and foot sprains

Chronic Pain including:

Neck and back pain
Frozen shoulder
Migraines
TMJ (Jaw) dysfunction
Osteoarthritis

Structural Imbalances including:

Postural imbalances
Scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis
Post surgery rehabilitation—especially with joints
Leg length discrepancies
Bunions

Autoimmune Disorders including:

Fibromyalgia
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Thyroid imbalances

Stress-Related Symptoms including:

General achiness or fatigue
Disrupted sleep patterns
Physical conditions associated with emotional stresses (depression, trauma, shock, anxiety)

The Philosophy Behind Ortho-Bionomy

Based in part on osteopathic principles, the focus of the sessions are to facilitate the body’s natural self-healing and self-regulating responses. The Practitioner works with the body instead of on it. To elicit these responses the Practitioner takes care to support the comfort and ease of movement within the client whilst gently exaggerating the structural imbalances thereby stimulating the body’s self-regulating mechanisms. This work is very safe, even for those people who are highly sensitive or have limitations due to age or illness.

Structure of an Ortho-Bionomy Session

The client is fully clothed and the practitioner usually works with him or her on a bodywork table, although the practitioner may work with the client seated or standing as well. After a thorough intake interview both the practitioner and client work together to assess and support the self-correcting patterns related specifically to the issues or conditions that the client is experiencing.

The techniques used range from the purely physical to the purely energetic. This allows the practitioner to employ techniques which are appropriate for each client and each condition. Some of these techniques include:

Positional release
Range-of-motion exploration
Isometric and isotonic techniques
Gentle rocking
Static holding
Subtle or minute movements
Postural re-education
Work in the energy field of the body
Cranial and visceral balancing
Neurolymphatic balancing

At no time does the practitioner use any movements or contact that cause discomfort for the client. At the end of the session the practitioner may identify self care exercises for the client to do after and between sessions to continue the releases and to retrain the body in its new patterns. Clients are encouraged to receive two to four sessions initially after which an on-going programme of self care and/or additional individual sessions can be developed.

Ortho-Bionomy is an Integrative Therapy

Whilst Ortho-Bionomy is effective as a stand-alone modality it is highly complementary to any other treatments that the client may be receiving such as acupuncture, massage, chiropractic and physiotherapy as well as other medical treatment. This work does not interfere with any other modalities or treatment protocols.