Structural Integration
Structural Integration. based on the Rolf technique. is a method of deep manipulation of the connective tissues of the body developed by Dr. Ida P Rolf. Her intention was to create a system of postural restructuring and movement re-patterning in order to promote ease and balance in posture, with a corresponding effect on the mind. Like all other material structures, the human body submits to the basic laws of physics. When we are out of balance and alignment, gravity drags us down, just as it pulls down a building that has lost itsarchitectural integrity.
Due to physical and emotional trauma, repetitive movements, and habits of standing, sitting, moving, our bodies develop dysfunctional and characteristic patterns of strain. Rotations in bones, shortness or tightness in tissues and related muscles, and asymmetries within the body as a whole create conflicting tensional forces. These may ultimately lead to sub-optimal choices in movement. Over time, with repetition, these patterns can worsen, leading to further limitations in movement and in living. This dynamic is among the root causes of pain, discomfort and other types of dysfunction including emotional and behavioral issues.
Structural Integration is a highly effective way of working with connective tissue and muscles to resolve conflicts within the body, which are preventing easier, more correct ways of moving and being. The “little boy” logo, seen here at the top of the screen, is a trademark of Structural Integration®. It tells a typical story. See the ways in which the segments of the body to the left are out of alignment? This body is having trouble supporting itself. When support is lacking, tissues and their related muscles compensate by shoring up specific areas in an effort to deal with these vulnerabilities. The body then becomes a negotiation of compensations, and conflicting tensional strains which we experience as tightness, lack of flexibility, poor balance, pain, anxiety, depression, etc…
This natural response to imbalance and instability is also the body’s attempt to support itself against the ever-present forces of gravity. Movement is an event in which every segment of the body works in relationship to every other segment. If a body is overly stiff in certain places, and flaccid in others, these relationships will be limited, and the body will not be able to work as a unit. To the degree that this is the case, the person will be limited in her ability to adapt to her environment.
A Structural Integration Practitioner is highly trained to see and address the complex ways in which the body is relating to itself and to its environment. The better these relationships are, the better the body and the whole person will function. Through hands-on manipulation and movement re-education, Structural Integration® is an effective way to change deep-set patterns of posture and movement.
Structural Integration is an effective approach to address the after-effects of accidents and injuries, for chronic neck, back and joint pain, for poor posture, tension and anxiety. Structural Integration can also be a valuable tool for deepening your practice of yoga, martial arts, as well as for improving athletic performance.
Structural Integration Series
The Structural Integration Series is a sequence of ten sessions, each emphasizing specific regions of the body. It is a process of re-organizing the body and re-patterning movement. Dr. Rolf, who created Structural Integration, later nick named Rolfing, was a scientist and an intuitive. The Ten Series is based on her insights into anatomical, physiological and kinesthetic relationships with respect to the way a body relates to itself, and to the field of gravity.
The re-organization of a body, and re-patterning of movement is something best done as a process. The Ten Series process takes into consideration the complexity involved in dealing with the whole being. Patterns of strain and movement start early in the development of the body. We literally become “set in our ways” as we get older. This situation is compounded by injuries and other unnatural habits that we get into as we go through life.
The body is naturally inclined to compensate for weaknesses and vulnerabilities within its structure. The body as a whole adapts so that strain is taken off the vulnerable areas. This is how a twisted ankle causes conflict in the knee, the hip, eventually creating back pain. The whole body adapts to the injury, and new movement patterns result. It would not be enough to treat the area of greatest restriction—the back or hip for instance. The whole strain pattern must be addressed in order for the person to have enough order in his or her whole system to accept new patterns of sitting, standing, and moving in general.
The Ten Series is a good way to go about undoing deep set patterns of strain and movement, and re-establish more appropriate relationships within the body, and between the body and its environment. It is a process that is complete in itself, while also being a way into the potential of the body. Engaging in this process is an excellent way to gain awareness into what is possible physically, emotionally and spiritual when you are not leaking vital energy; at war with gravity.
Ultimately, Structural Integration is not the Ten Series. It is a set of principles that is used in the service of aligning the body with itself, and within the field of Gravity. In this respect, Structural Integration is very effective for what we call “fix it work”; when a body part is not functioning well, Rolfing can be an effective means of increasing function. Much of what we experience as pain, discomfort and imbalance has its roots in structural misalignment, like a sliding door that is slightly off its runner. So, while we address the whole strain pattern involved in this dysfunction, the principles and techniques we know are also good for bringing clarity to the area of principle complaint.
Because it is the whole system that is constantly adapting to its vulnerabilities and strains, Structural Integration is best done for the first time within the ten-session format. However, Rolfing can be utilized in any number of ways, and does not necessarily need to be conducted as a Ten Series. Still, Rolfing is always done with the complexity of relationships in mind. A Rolfer always works toward integrating the entire structure. This means that while (s)he is helping to undo certain inappropriate relationships within the body, (s)he is also helping the client to establish other, more appropriate ones, which will ultimately be more beneficial the client.
Dr Ida P. Rolf
Structural Integration came to presence during the Human Potential Movement in the 1950’s-70’s. Dr. Rolf noticed that despite the authentic spiritual, mental and emotional growth that was happening at this time, people’s bodies were not quite along for the ride. {I see this in my own practice. The body will bring attention to itself in order to resolve this imbalance. This can look like dis-eas, pain, discomfort…..}. She saw the dynamic set of relationships, which we call body, or “Structure” as the context of who we are and how we behave as physical beings in physical reality. What she observed was that most bodies are in conflict with themselves and thus in conflict with gravity. This situation creates conflict with respect to ones relationship to herself, and her relationship to other. Dr. Rolf did not seem all too concerned with some of the other ramifications, i.e., pain, discomfort etc…. which she thought were symptoms of the deeper reality; that our bodies inhibit us from relationship. I think there’s a quote from her that goes something like: “If your symptoms get better, that’s your own tough luck” She was primarily concerned with the evolution and potential of our species, which she thought had to do with the degree to which we can be in relationship with gravity, rather than leaking all our vital energies, at war with gravity.
This emphasis on the body as the context for who we are, and the source of limitation, was revolutionary in the West. Moreover, the notion that the body can be systematically changed in favor of increasing order, and function, and that these changes would affect the mind, was also revolutionary. Dr. Rolf’s insight was that Fascia (a form of connective tissue) creates the relationships in the body. For instance, relationships between bones, muscles, organs etc…. Rolfers work with the fascial system of the body in order to re-shape it to establish clearer, more appropriate relationships, within the body, among the segments of the body, and between the individual and gravity.
More Thoughts
Structural Integration for MDs (a document in Adobe PDF format)
Common benefits of Rolfing:
Brings balance/symmetry to the body.
Creates space in the body so that there can be clarity of relationships between body parts, including the viscera (internal organs).
Alleviates strains that can be the cause of chronic and acute muscle pain and discomfort.
Improves range of motion through joints.
Improves circulation, breathing and awareness.
Improves vitality, increases energy.
Fosters gracefulness and ease of movement.
Can help with TMJ, Asthma, Organ function, Parkinson’s, joint pain