A strong focus is placed on the client’s comfort. It’s from here that the body is at its most responsive. Usually the practitioner works with the client fully clothed on a massage table, but may also work with the client seated or standing. A thorough history is taken to identify the most appropriate and beneficial techniques for the client. The practitioner will often use gentle contact, movement, compression and positioning for the resolution of injury and conditions or symptoms, which the client may be experiencing. The practitioner and client work together to monitor the releasing if tension patterns and to .

There are various techniques that an Ortho-Bionomy practitioner may incorporate in a session including: positional release, range-of-motion exploration, isometric and isotonic techniques, posture exercises, gentle rocking, subtle or minute movements, visceral or lymphatic work and energy movements away from the body. A session usually lasts for approximately one hour. 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 help remind the body of its new patterns. Initially, it is recommended that the client has two to four sessions after which an ongoing program of self-care and/or individual sessions can be developed if required.

The number of sessions varies depending on how long a condition has been present, the seriousness or intensity of the symptoms, other related issues and how quickly the body responds.

It is usually recommended that an individual receive two to four sessions to assess how his or her body responds and to identify whether additional sessions could be beneficial or whether simply continuing with the self-care exercises would be adequate. In general, the longer one has experienced a specific condition the more sessions may be required to help resolve the condition. Discuss this with Hugh to determine what course of sessions will be appropriate for you.

One session per week is usually sufficient. This allows the body enough time to integrate the neurological and physiological information from the session. During the initial stages of recovery however, a large amount of change can occur and it is possible that additional sessions may help to integrate those changes more efficiently.

Ortho-Bionomy does not use force or ‘fix’. The gentle nature of Ortho-Bionomy is very helpful for many different types of problems and conditions. Among the conditions that Ortho-Bionomy can assist in balancing are:

• Injuries: joint restrictions and dysfunction, muscle pain or injury, whiplash, repetitive strain injuries.
• Chronic pain and conditions: chronic neck and back pain, frozen shoulder, migraines, ongoing pain not alleviated or addressed by conventional treatments.
• Structural imbalances: joint discomfort, post surgery rehabilitation, scoliosis and kyphosis (curvatures of the spine), leg length discrepancies.
• Stress-related symptoms: general aches, pain or fatigue, disrupted sleep patterns, physical conditions associated with emotional imbalances such as depression, boundary issues or trauma.

Ortho-Bionomy does not set out to replace modern medicine. It honours the body’s innate wisdom, working with the body and not against it. Ortho-Bionomy is not used in place of urgent medical care that might be required for any conditions such as broken bones, life threatening injuries or serious neurological traumas. However, it can often be used to complement such treatment.

Ortho-Bionomy sessions can be started at any time as long as any urgent medical condition has been addressed. Having a session soon after an injury can help facilitate the healing and rehabilitation process.

Ortho-Bionomy is often effective with long-term conditions. Because we focus on re-educating the structures of the body, the long-term holding and compensation patterns can shift to allow for greater functionality and structural efficiency. Home self-care exercises are especially important for working with long-term conditions.

While Ortho-Bionomy is effective as a stand-alone modality, this work can also complement any other treatments that the client may be receiving. The work does not interfere with other modalities or protocols and does not force the client to ‘choose’ between traditional and adjunctive therapies.

In addition to gaining greater ease of movement and relief from pain and discomfort, clients become more proficient at noticing their body messages, enabling them to more readily monitor responses to the treatments they are receiving and to participate in their healing processes.

Yes, in fact regular Ortho-Bionomy sessions can help your body maintain its optimal ability to function and can deepen your capacity for relaxation. Ortho-Bionomy supports your structural alignment and orientation and regular sessions can be an effective preventative measure against injury and stress.