Understanding Structural Integration

Structural Integration, also known as ASL, is a form of bodywork which focuses on the fascia, or ligament, of the body. Facia surrounds the muscles, tendons, vessels, nerves, and blood vessels, binding some skeletal structures together while allowing others to glide smoothly along each other. This helps to make certain that our bodies are well balanced and correctly aligned. However, occasionally fascia can become weakened, for various reasons. If it occurs it can lead to serious body asymmetry, known as subluxation.

Subluxation of the fascia occurs when pressure builds up in 1 part of your body and does not move out to the place where it is supposed to be. By way of instance, when you have chronic tension or prolonged stress in the throat, the subluxation may cause serious problems, resulting in neck pain and headaches. The strain can lead to damage to the ligament that allows gravity to pull your nerve and lead to headaches. This is the same basic principle as what happens when you put a slice of weight in front of a table and try to remove it.

Subluxation is a problem that most people have had or will have in their lives. Even if you don't suffer from chronic stress or tension, daily life presents many challenges which involve using the head, shoulders, back, and neck. Because of all these interactions, poor posture can develop and even manifest itself in a number of ways. These problems can give rise to chronic back pain, headaches, neck pain, chronic pain in the shoulders, shortness of breath, poor balance and coordination, and much more.

The goal of Structural Integration is to remove or lessen the force that is exerted on the body by the weight shift from one position to another. When there is poor posture, the pressure on the musculoskeletal system is greater than optimal. This creates imbalances that lead to stiffness, pain, and other related problems. The various techniques of the therapy include the Application of Force, Application of Gravity, and Soft Stretching.

The first technique of Structural Integration is what is known as the use of gravity. So as to perform this technique, a professional therapist will take a patient's posture and fix it in such a way that forces are evenly distributed. This leads to a reduction in both neck and shoulder pain, stiffness, and chronic stress. Patients find this kind of integration to be very effective in relieving their pain and reducing their risk for harm.

The second technique is soft stretching, also called RFD. If there is poor posture, the RFD technique addresses both stamina and poor flexibility of the muscles and connective tissues that support the human body. The connective tissues are lengthened and strengthened by the stretching exercises, which are then supported by the bodywork. In addition, once the fascia is lengthened, there's diminished friction between the muscle fibers, thus lessening the chance for further strain and injury.

The next technique is the application of Gravity. The concept of Gravity entails an effective balance of compression and resistance between the bodywork and the individual parts. This is most commonly utilized in chiropractic manipulation, where the manipulation of the joints and the bones leads to a decompression of the backbone, reducing the likelihood for additional neck and shoulder pain and stiffness. Other common areas of Gravity practice include the diagnosis and treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), or osteoarthritis of the knee or hips, and Facet Arthropathy or Facet Syndrome. In the event of osteoarthritis of the knee or hips, rolfing techniques such as the use of gravity can help reduce stiffness and pain.

So as to use the concepts of structural integration correctly, a certified massage therapist should master both the fundamentals of rolfing and the use of gravity. A series of tests and examinations is necessary for certification by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). To become a certified massage therapist, one must demonstrate a two-year degree from an accredited massage therapy school, as well as pass state certification exams. Individuals who want to begin a career in the field of massage therapy may do well to learn both the principles of rolfing and using gravity.