Ortho-Bionomy – A brief history

Rooted in osteopathy, Ortho-Bionomy® was developed during the 1970s by Arthur Lincoln Pauls, Doctor of Osteopathy. Pauls sought a natural, consistent, and lasting way to ease his patients’ pain. Inspired by the body’s ability for self-correction, he combined the concepts of holding slack and comfort on a joint with elements of compression.

Dr. Pauls expanded the work to include release and balance in the body through movement and energy. Pauls eventually named the work Ortho-Bionomy, meaning “correct life study.”

Pauls was a Judo instructor when he was introduced to osteopathy, first as a patient and later as a student. He began producing materials on Ortho-Bionomy in the 1970s, combining what he knew from Judo about the body’s energy patterns, natural movement, and range of motion with his training in osteopathy and a working knowledge of homeopathy.

Ortho-Bionomy, then, became an exploration of the ways structural imbalance could impact emotion and energy within the body and the consequences this might have for overall health and wellness. “When your structure works right,” he said, “your circulation works better, you feel better, you think better.”

Structure governs function, was one of the principles Arthur Pauls used to organize around (from Osteopathy.) When the body has good structure, it functions better. This can go both ways. If the body is not functioning well, it's structure will be disturbed. Dr. Pauls focused on helping his patients have better alignment, more organized movement and focused on removing 'misunderstanding' in their body to allow for improved health.