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What is Ortho-Bionomy? The practitioner uses gentle movements and positions of the body to facilitate the change of stress and pain patterns.

Ortho-Bionomy is a gentle, non-invasive, osteopathically-based form of body therapy which is highly effective in working with chronic stress, injuries and pains or problems associated with postural and structural imbalances. A strong focus is placed on the comfort of the individual, no forceful manipulations are used. The practitioner also suggests home exercises that individuals can do to further

facilitate the neuromuscular re-education process begun in the session. Ortho-Bionomy is very effective in helping alleviate both acute and chronic pain and stress patterns by reducing chronic muscle tension, soothing the joints, increasing flexibility, improving circulation, and relaxing the entire body. Ortho-Bionomy was developed by Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, a British osteopath, who wanted to find a way to work with the body which honored the body's inherent wisdom. From his experience as a Judo instructor and through his training as an osteopath, he found ways of working with the body by exaggerating the body's preferred postures, thereby permitting the body's self-healing process to create greater balance and alignment. He discovered that by working WITH the body and not against it, the body could find balance on its own without having to use force to correct it. Dr. Pauls began teaching this work in the US in 1976, and has taught Ortho-Bionomy extensively throughout Europe. The term "Ortho-Bionomy" comes from "ortho" meaning correct or straight, "bio" meaning life, and "nomy" meaning the laws of or study of. Dr. Pauls defined the term then as "the correct application of the laws of life." He stated "[Ortho-Bionomy] is really about understanding your whole life cycle. Naturally, we focus on the structure because that is the literal skeleton upon which our life is built. When your structure works right, your circulation works better, you feel better, you think better." (Kain and Berns, 1992)

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 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 the discomfort. Ortho-Bionomy also employs the homeopathic concept that what cannot be cured from within cannot be cured from without. Using gentle positioning and light touch, Ortho-Bionomy stimulates inner awareness to awaken within the individual a sense of natural balance and well-being, both physically and emotionally. The inner wisdom of the body is recognized and affirmed. Self healing occurs as the person remembers their natural ability to move away from pain and toward ease.

18/01/2019

Once you realize that fascia acts as a giant mechanoreceptor, you can begin to see why it is so important in addressing chronic pain.

07/01/2018

Great article here!

A hands-on approach to health care is producing fast results, and science is indicating its legitimacy. Clinically and scientifically, people who were once resistant to care are now beginning to re…

12/09/2017

Because this tissue is so abundant throughout our bodies, there are endless ways to end up with restrictions which cause pain and dysfunction. Believe me, I know from experience! 😉

What is Fascia?
Fascia is tough connective tissue that creates a 3-dimensional web extending without interruption from head to toe. Fascia surrounds and infuses every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel, and organ, all the way down to the cellular level.

The fascial system affects every system and function in your body- musculoskeletal, neurological, metabolic, etc. The white, glistening fibers you see when you pull a piece of meat apart or when you pull chicken skin away is fascia.

What is Fascia made of ?
Fascia consists of a complex which has three parts:
1. Elastin fibers - This is the elastic and stretchable part of the complex.

2. Collagen fibers - These fibers are extremely tough and give support to the
structure.

3. Ground substance/matrix: A gelatinous like substance that transports metabolic
material throughout the body

What does fascia do?
The fascial system generally supports, stabilizes, and cushions. Fascia creates separation between vessels, organs, bones, and muscles. It creates space through which delicate nerves, blood vessels, and fluids can pass.

What are Fascial Restrictions?
In a healthy state, the collagen fibers wrap around the elastic fibers in a relaxed, wavy configuration. Trauma, repetitive motion, inflammation, or poor posture can cause the fascia to become solidified and shortened. These thickened areas are referred to as a fascial restriction. Fascial restrictions have the capacity of creating up to 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch in a restricted area. That crushing pressure can compromise any physiological system in the body resulting in pain and dysfunction.

The fascia throughout the body is all interconnected like the yarn in a sweater or a complex spider web. A restriction in one area of the body creates tension throughout this web pulling on other distant structures. This explains why some people may have pain that appears unrelated to their original injury. Furthermore, myofascial restrictions do not show up on common standardized tests such as x-rays, MRI, CAT scans, etc.

Fascial restrictions can pull the body out of its normal alignment, compressing joint surfaces and bulging disks, resulting in pain, loss of motion, and weakness.

Info collected from Spine - Health, Mayo Clinic, NIH & Medterms
Art by Dan Beckemeyer

03/08/2017

Many folks have trigger points in this muscle, the pain being a couple inches down from the armpit on the affected side. Some of the symptoms include chest pain, chronic cough, panic attacks, pain on deep breathing, breast pain, heart attack-type pain and asthma!

ser·ra·tus an·te·ri·or mus·cle (sĕ-rā'tŭs an-tēr'ē-ŏr mŭs'ĕl)
Origin, from center of lateral aspect of first eight to nine ribs; insertion, superior and inferior angles and intervening medial margin of scapula; action, rotates scapula and pulls it forward, elevates ribs; nerve supply, long thoracic from brachial plexus.

Synonym(s): musculus serratus anterior

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

18/07/2017

A different and refreshing perspective! Our poor arms have to do SO much; we should take much better care of them!

Arm:
in zoology, either of the forelimbs or upper limbs of ordinarily bipedal vertebrates, particularly humans and other primates. The term is sometimes restricted to the proximal part, from shoulder to elbow (the distal part is then called the forearm). In brachiating (tree-swinging) primates the arm is unusually long.

The bones of the human arm, like those of other primates, consist of one long bone, the humerus, in the arm proper; two thinner bones, the radius and ulna, in the forearm; and sets of carpal and metacarpal bones in the hand and digits in the fingers. The muscle that extends, or straightens, the arm is the triceps, which arises on the humerus and attaches to the ulna at the elbow; the brachialis and biceps muscles act to bend the arm at the elbow. A number of smaller muscles cover the radius and ulna and act to move the hand and fingers in various ways. The pectoralis muscle, anchored in the chest, is important in the downward motion of the entire arm and in quadrupeds pulls the limb backward in locomotion.

The term arm may also denote the limb or the locomotive or prehensile organ of an invertebrate, such as the ray of a starfish, te****le of an octopus, or brachium of a brachiopod.

Watercolor painting of hand, dorsal forearm, lateral arm, and
posterior shoulder musculature by Jeff Sant

20/05/2017

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1274305349290942&substory_index=0&id=147107135344108

Median Nerve Entrapment by Medscape

The median nerve can be compressed at many points along its course to the wrist. Depending on the site of compression and the symptoms, the syndrome is known by various names. The most well-known and frequent form of median nerve entrapment is known as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Provided in this article is a brief overview of the disorder, relevant anatomy, pathophysiology, and management.

The median nerve, colloquially known as the "eye of the hand," is one of the 3 major nerves of the forearm and hand. It courses from the brachial plexus in the axilla to innervate the intrinsic muscles of the hand. More here: http://bit.ly/1lFg5Ds

Image larger here: http://bit.ly/1mOlVlJ

25/02/2017

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1225737784147699&substory_index=0&id=147107135344108

29/11/2016

I believe this wholeheartedly, but for slightly different reasons. Stretching muscles afflicted with trigger points only causes them to tighten further in response to the stretch.

I know stretching your lumbar spine feels good. But you are actually making your pain worse.

22/11/2016

Hammertoe and Mallet Toe by the Mayo Clinic

Hammertoe and mallet toe are two foot deformities that occur most often in women who wear high heels or shoes with a narrow toe box. These types of footwear may force your toes against the front of the shoe, causing an unnatural bending.

A hammertoe has an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. Mallet toe affects the joint nearest the toenail. Hammertoe and mallet toe are most likely to occur in the toe next to your big toe. Much more here: http://mayocl.in/Tw54Ne

12/10/2016

Deep Tendon Reflexes by New York University School of Medicine http://bit.ly/1lmieFs

22/09/2016

Tensor Fascia Lata and the Gluteal Muscles by David Lauterstein of Deep Massage Society

Many muscles work so well, you never even know they’re there!

This is especially the case for the muscles on the side of the pelvis.

Every time you lift your leg to take a step, it’s like a chair that suddenly would lose two legs on one side and collapse. What keeps your pelvis from dropping to the floor each time you lift your leg?

It is the responsibility of the muscles on the opposite side – tensor fascia lata, gluteus medius and minimus. They automatically tense up when you lift the opposite leg. These muscles’ tensing isometrically, keeps constant the distance from the iliac crest to the greater trochanter. Thus, when you lift your left leg, the isometric contraction of the right tensor fascia lata, gluteus medius and minimus is what keeps your pelvis level.

The most serious disorder of the hip is paralysis of gluteus medius. You can see this in the case of cerebral-palsy where the affected person has to throw their leg underneath and forward suddenly when they walk, otherwise the pelvis would fall down to the ground.

The taut and short tensor fascia lata runs from the posterior anterior superior iliac spine to the greater trochanter. There it continues as the longest tendon in the body, the iliotibial band. The gluteus medius runs from the gluteal surface of the ilium to the greater trochanter and is shaped like an inverted teardrop. Its posterior third is covered by the gluteus maximus. Similarly shaped, the gluteus minimus is situated deep and immediately beneath gluteus medius. They both insert onto the top of the greater trochanter like a hat on top of a head.

Work with massage here can be very effective by combining pressure points with mobilizations of the hip joint. Pressing in with the thumb or fingers into 7 areas to thoroughly cover the territory, the therapist, with each pressure point, can simultaneously rotate the hip medially and gently traction it inferiorly. This helps these muscles relax and lengthen, freeing both the pelvis and the hip joint.

Working with tensor fascia lata, gluteus medius and, through it, gluteus minimus, enhances these muscles’ ability to forcefully contract as well as gracefully relax. Ultimately, the healthy pelvis is experienced as a vessel floating in a sea of supporting muscles, rather than something solid and stuck in our middle that we spend much of our days just sitting on.

Book here: http://bit.ly/TKGIcV

08/08/2016

See today's blog

20/06/2016

I always wondered!

Why Is Yawning Contagious?
Contagious yawning can be annoying, but it might also be a sign of good social skills. It’s a type of emotional contagion, a phenomenon in which we tend to share the feelings of people around us. Scientific American MIND editor Sandra Upson explains in our latest Instant Egghead video.

Video Here: http://bit.ly/1h8KKfn

12/09/2015

Take note of imbalances in your ankles! If the ankle isn't flexible your whole walking gait shortens and perpetuates trigger points from the waist down!

Trigger points may play an important part in balance; the two key muscles to check are: Tibialis anterior and the Peroneus (fibularis) group.

22/01/2015

Very common cause of pain and dysfunction!

Advice: Can often respond well to self-help techniques and stretching. For best care, see a therapist experienced in Trigger Point work.

16/01/2015

Very good advice! This goes for all other muscles as well, tensing muscles that are tight doesn't make them stronger, just tighter!

You can never do too many Kegels, right? Wrong. Katy Bowman of the Restorative Exercise Institute discusses how to really strengthen your pelvic floor - during pregnancy and otherwise.

02/01/2015

I really love the language Gary uses to describe this work!

Ortho-bionomist Gary Lee Willams explains how your walk, stance and footwear impacts your overall health

20/05/2014

Love some of these techniques!

Pain management therapy should be considered as an ongoing process, rather than management of a single episode. The trained manual therapist must refrain fro...

15/05/2014

Erik's treatment video is very informative!

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What is Ortho-Bionomy? Ortho-Bionomy is a gentle, non-invasive, osteopathically-based form of body therapy which is highly effective in working with chronic stress, injuries and pains or problems associated with postural and structural imbalances. The practitioner uses gentle movements and positions of the body to facilitate the change of stress and pain patterns. A strong focus is placed on the comfort of the individual, no forceful manipulations are used. The practitioner also suggests home exercises that individuals can do to further facilitate the neuromuscular re-education process begun in the session. Ortho-Bionomy is very effective in helping alleviate both acute and chronic pain and stress patterns by reducing chronic muscle tension, soothing the joints, increasing flexibility, improving circulation, and relaxing the entire body. Ortho-Bionomy was developed by Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, a British osteopath, who wanted to find a way to work with the body which honored the body's inherent wisdom. From his experience as a Judo instructor and through his training as an osteopath, he found ways of working with the body by exaggerating the body's preferred postures, thereby permitting the body's self-healing process to create greater balance and alignment. He discovered that by working WITH the body and not against it, the body could find balance on its own without having to use force to correct it. Dr. Pauls began teaching this work in the US in 1976, and has taught Ortho-Bionomy extensively throughout Europe. The term "Ortho-Bionomy" comes from "ortho" meaning correct or straight, "bio" meaning life, and "nomy" meaning the laws of or study of. Dr. Pauls defined the term then as "the correct application of the laws of life." He stated "[Ortho-Bionomy] is really about understanding your whole life cycle. Naturally, we focus on the structure because that is the literal skeleton upon which our life is built. When your structure works right, your circulation works better, you feel better, you think better." (Kain and Berns, 1992) 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 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 the discomfort. Ortho-Bionomy also employs the homeopathic concept that what cannot be cured from within cannot be cured from without. Using gentle positioning and light touch, Ortho-Bionomy stimulates inner awareness to awaken within the individual a sense of natural balance and well-being, both physically and emotionally. The inner wisdom of the body is recognized and affirmed. Self healing occurs as the person remembers their natural ability to move away from pain and toward ease.