Structural Integration is a form of soft tissue physical therapy. It releases holding patterns of stress and tension that inhibit the body from moving freely.
Structural Integration enhances the body’s pattern of organisation. When the body is balanced it functions better with more coordination, movement, balance and flexibility.
As we grow older, we often shrink in height, slowly lose flexibility and range of motion. Our bones stay the same length and our muscles still function but the fascia (connective tissue) shrinks and this is what prevents our body functioning at its best. Structural Integration is the perfect tool to reverse this process to allow you to feel younger and more flexible as life goes on.
The affects of a stressed body can show up as back pain, poor posture, tight, restricted movement and compressed and painful joints
Structural Integrators’ work on lengthening the connective tissue called fascia. As a result, the thickened toughened tissues become soft, re-hydrated and more pliable. Structural Integration changes the body’s patterns therefore shifting the weight and balancing it allowing for the muscles to relax and loosen, leaving a more upright and balanced person with greater flexibility or range of motion.
What is the basic ten series?
The ten sessions is broken down into 3 categories. The superficial session, the core sessions and the integrating sessions.
Sessions 1 to 3 focus on releasing the superficial layers of the connective tissue that can be described as the muscles close to the surface of the body also being called the sleeve muscles.
Sessions 4 to 7 are considered the core sessions. When I say this I mean the deep musculature and connective tissue of the body. Also called the intrinsic muscles, these help us with fine motor movement and produce graceful and fluid movement.
Sessions 8 to 10 are designed to integrate the core and the sleeve. The practitioner balances and aligns the patterns of the body and looks at re-ordering rotational patterns in the structure. The tenth and final session is also one of integration, but more importantly, serves to inspire a sense of order and balance
How does Structural Integration work?
Structural Integration works by lengthening and releasing the patterns in the fascia. As a result, the thickened toughened tissues become soft, re-hydrated and more pliable. Structural Integration changes the body’s patterns and it organises the imbalances in the tissue, therefore shifting the weight and balancing the body more evenly in gravity, giving the muscles the ability to relax and loosen, leaving a more upright and balanced posture with greater flexibility, range of motion and ease.
Dr. Rolf used to say: “Anyone can take a body apart; very few know how to put it back together”. The true genius of her method is the art and science of reshaping and reorganising human structure according to clearly defined principles in a systematic and consistent manner.