Learn About Positional Release
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Positional Release Therapy is effective pain relief!
In positional release the correct position resets the sensors in the musculature and joints known collectively as the proprioceptors. With the appropriate stimulus to these sensors, the musculoskeletal system returns to a healthier state, eliminating pain and allowing joints to move back to dynamic balance. Creating the right twist and pressure in the muscles and joints resets the sensors very quickly. It is amazing work for all joint and muscular pain and dysfunction.
There are a number of versions of Positional Release practiced today by Osteopaths, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists and Alternative healers. This lens provides information on a number of these Positional Release methods.
I favor a form of positional release called Ortho-Bionomy® which I use in my practice in Chicago, IL.
History of Positional Release Therapy
Positional release began in the 1950's when Lawrence Jones, D.O. discovered by accident that when he placed the body into a specific comfortable position pain and dysfunction would heal quickly and completely.
In 1954, Lawrence Hugh Jones, DO, FAAO (1912-1996) made an observation that led to the development of his Strain and Counterstrain Technique. A graduate of the College of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons in California in 1936, Dr. Jones was running a successful practice in Oregon when he attempted to treat a patient who had been suffering with back pain for two and a half months. After six weeks of treatment the patient had not improved. The patient was unable to sleep for more than 15 minutes at a time.
Dr. Jones spent one visit only attempting to find a comfortable position for the patient. He passively put the patient in a variety of positions until he "achieved a position of surprising amount of comfort, the only benefit he had received in four months' treatment." Afterwards, Jones began to experiment with this discovery.
He initially called this approach to pain "Spontaneous Release by Positioning" and later Strain an Counter Strain®. Eventually variations of this work became known collectively as "positional release."
There are some differences in the application of Positional Release particularly among Osteopaths, Physical Therapists and Massage Therapists. Some practitioners have developed their own versions and have different variations on the name of the work.
Some Conditions Treated By Positional Release
A partial list.

- Arthritic conditions
- Allergies and asthma
- Low Back pain and disk problems
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia Syndrome
- Foot and ankle pain
- Neck pain and tension headaches
- hip pain and sciatica
- Sports injuries and performance enhancement
- Sprains of various joints
- Stress management and prevention
- Whiplash and other impact injuries
Positional Release Manual
See a Clip from the Positional Release Massage DVD Listed Above!!!
How I Got Into Positional Release
My Story.
After 8 years of massage practice I began looking for a technique that would be easier on the hands as well as be more effective. Luckily I got exposed to a version of positional release therapy called Ortho-Bionomy® after receiving a session from a colleague.
A British trained Osteopath, named Arthur Lincoln Pauls, developed Ortho-Bionomy in the 1970's after being exposed to Lawrence Jone's 1964 article entitled "Spontaneous Release By Positioning." 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 for many years with a number of instructors. I also began my own study of Strain CounterStrain and other versions of positional release methods to formulate my own take on positional release. Ortho-Bionomy continues to be the biggest influence on my understanding of positional release methods. Currently I am an Advanced Practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy.
Read about my practice in Chicago, IL at "Psoas Universe."
Information on Positional Release
- Positional Release
- "The main goal of the therapy is to improve the health and functioning of the body as a whole by correcting any imbalances of the musculoskeletal system."
- Strain-Counterstrain Technique (positional release)
- "Originally developed by an osteopathic physician, Lawrence Jones, DO, FAAO, strain-counterstrain technique is a method for reducing chronic and/or acute muscle spasm anywhere in the body. The big advantage of this technique is its extreme gentleness to the patient. The patient often wonders how this technique can work when the therapist does not seem to be "doing anything".
- Strain-CounterStrain
- by Marc Heller, DC
"I attended a basic course in "Strain-CounterStrain" (positional release) recently through the Jones Institute, the originators of this work." - Jones' Tender Points and Travell's Trigger Points
- By R. E. Brossman, A. B., D.D.S., M.S.
"Lawrence H. Jones, D.O., in his publication, Spontaneous Release by Positioning and his later manual, Strain and Counterstrain, gives a rather concise explanation of the differences and similarities between his "tender points" and Janet Travell's earlier description of "trigger points". - Strain and Counterstrain
- "Strain and Counterstrain was developed by Lawrence Jones, D.O. It has been used for over fifty years to improve range of motion and flexibility in athletes and other patients. Over the last 30 years, Strain and Counterstrain has been proven successful on all patient populations, including orthopedic, neurologic, geriatric, and pediatric."
- Bodywork Masterclass Series-1, Positional Release for Spontaneous Muscle Relaxation
- By Leon Chaitow N.D., D.O., M.R.O.
"There are few more satisfying, non-invasive, gentle and safe methods for easing muscular contraction,tension or spasm than the various methods which involve 'positional release'. These methods all call for the positioning of an area, or the whole body, in such a way as to produce a combination of neurological and circulatory changes which produce pain relief and relaxation of soft tissues." - Positional Release Therapy: Fast Effective Pain Relief
- by Sue Coughtry, LMT
"I recently attended another seminar in Positional Release Therapy (PRT). I've been enthusiastic about PRT from the beginning, and I'm even more excited about it now. I'm so impressed with how simple and effective it is." - Ortho-Bionomy: Teaching the body to remember
- By Barry Kapke
"Ease and harmony - that's what the body seeks to rediscover with Ortho-Bionomy, a gentle osteopathically-based system for working with the body's self-corrective reflexes. According to Ortho-Bionomy founder Arthur Lincoln Pauls, D.O., ease and harmony are things we already know, and Ortho-Bionomy is one way of remembering. It is an educational tool "of a high order. When we begin to understand why we are ill, then we understand, also, what to do about it, and to prevent it."1 " - 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. "
- Ortho-Bionomy with Jim Berns - Podcast
- Good overview of Ortho-Bionomy, its philosophy and history.
- Facilitated positional release
- By S Schiowitz
"The facilitated positional release techniques described here introduce motion into the direction of freedom of movement. Achievement of neutral position is made easier by modifying sagittal posture, and a facilitating force is then applied. The treatment is directed at normalizing tissue texture changes but can be modified to influence the deep muscles involved in joint mobility. This modality is easily applied, nontraumatic, and efficient." - Positional Release Therapy
- by Dr. George B. Roth, B.Sc., D.C., N.D.
"PRT liberates the practitioner from the tyranny of the symptoms and is directed to the dysfunction. This is akin to directing the fire hose at the base of the flames rather than at the flying sparks. The result is a comprehensive system which is objective, consistent, efficient, effective and extremely gentle. This technique is applicable to a wide range of conditions and to almost any category of patient."
Ortho-Bionomy Books
Positional Release on Amazon
Professional Organizations for Positional Release Methods
- The Jones Institute
- "Established in 1988 by Dr. Lawrence Jones and Randall Kusunose, P.T., O.C.S., the Jones Institute offers post-graduate Strain Counterstrain seminars for health care professionals throughout the United States. Dr. Jones developed this innovative approach for the treatment of neuromuscular and musculo-skeletal disorders in the 1950's. The Jones Institute is the only organization that provides instructors who are certified and authorized to teach the Strain Counterstrain technique by Dr. Jones and the Jones Institute."
- The Society of Ortho-Bionomy International
- "The purpose of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International® is to promote the practice, advancement and evolvement of Ortho-Bionomy."
- Ortho-Bionomy Association of Canada
- The Ortho-Bionomy Association of Canada maintains and monitor registration of Ortho-Bionomy Practitioners and Instructors in Canada.
Facilitated Positional Release Video
Another variation

Demonstration of Facilitated Positional Release Osteopathic Technique -- powered by eHow.com
"Summary: Watch a demonstration of the Osteopathic therapy technique (FPR) Facilitated Positional Release in this free health video.
Dr. Simcha Shapiro, D.O. is the Director of Listening Hands Institute and a physician trained in the USA at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Clinical Application of Counterstrain
Review of Clinical Applications of Counterstain
Michael L. Kuchera, DO, Professor of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Director of the Human Performance & Biomechanics Laboratory Clinical Director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging
With the publication of Clinical Application of Counterstrain, author Harmon L. Myers, DO, amplifies Dr Jones' message, focusing on a practical approach to counterstrain designed to improve a patient's body function through precise and time-effective positioning of the key myofascial structures.
Besides having clear and useful text, this book boasts detailed anatomic diagrams and large, colorful photographs of treatment positions. These images are particularly effective in allowing busy osteopathic physicians to easily grasp and implement Dr Myers' many clinical pearls. The end result is a book that truly promotes the development of osteopathic physicians' palpatory and therapeutic manual skills, elsewhere defined as the "thinking, seeing, feeling, [and] knowing fingers."2"
Read More
More Positional Release Books
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kittyspears
Dec 16, 2011 @ 6:29 am | delete
- Thank you for this lense. It is very helpful information about positional release which is a highly effective technique to relieve pain and restore function to muscles, bones, and joints. It is a powerful therapy for back pain.
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DePuy Pinnacle Recall
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JodiFromFlorida
Oct 16, 2011 @ 11:31 pm | delete
- I have never heard of this before but I am interested now. Thank you for the enlightening lens.
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asrhiprecall
Jul 21, 2011 @ 1:31 pm | delete
- I would like to try this. I had some occasional body pains which is unsettling. I hope I can try this interventions someday. DePuy Hip Recall
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howtocurecancer
Apr 30, 2011 @ 10:18 am | delete
- Blessed by a SquidAngel.
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sandyspider
Feb 2, 2011 @ 11:05 am | delete
- Very helpful information on massage treatments and pain release.
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by BarryKrost
I have been doing Advanced Bodywork and Energy Healing for 27 years. I currently use Ortho-Bionomy®, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Chapman's Reflexes, E... more »
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