Many call Structural Integration “the missing link” between Physical Therapy and Chiropractic. Where Chiropractors work on the bones and PTs work on strengthening muscles, Structural Integrators work on lengthening fascia. Dr. Ida P. Rolf, a biochemist at the time, knew fascia was that missing link and, in the 1940s, created what she called “Structural Integration,” a system for releasing fascial restrictions, aligning the bones. A system consisting of 10 bodywork sessions designed to free up the body’s fascial system and correct the tilts, bends, and twists we develop while growing up with life’s inevitable impacts and injuries.
As the story goes, there is a fascial covering around each cell in our body and fascial connections between all the cells in our body. The short story is that we have trillions of fascial pathways. You might be thinking, “Huh, that seems excessive. Why do we need so many fascial pathways?” That is a good question.
Every time we walk, run, jump, or move, we put some load into our bodies. Our fascial system, with its trillions of pathways, is designed to distribute load forces in all directions throughout our entire body which dampens the impact quickly and efficiently to save our bones and joints from carrying and transmitting the load. It is a well-functioning fascial system that prevents joint compression and extends the life of the joints. As we grow up and go through life’s inevitable impacts and injuries, our fascia tends to get restricted and stuck to the bony margins around the joints. Over time, if not resolved, restricted fascia becomes unbalanced and can tug the bones into the tilts, bends, and twists that we see in so many people today. The good news is that fascia is changeable.
Now, there is one thing that Ferraris and human bodies have in common: Both want to move. If you don’t drive your Ferrari very much, carbon can build up in the cylinders, rust can build up on the brakes, and the suspension can get squeaky. Likewise, when you don’t move your body much, joints get stiff and achy. The less we move, the crankier our body gets.
Our bodies are designed to move and move well. We all have Ferrari bodies that want to go, go, go, but sadly, in our culture, especially now in the Information Age, most of us park our bodies in an office chair. The good news is that fascia is changeable; one way to change fascia is to move it. There are many ways to mobilize fascia through small and large movements. Generally speaking, I like the movement that utilizes the whole body. Yoga, walking, and swimming are at the top of my list. It’s never too late to move more and sit less.
There is also a growing number of Structural Integrators, like me, who are skilled in releasing fascial restrictions and improving people’s alignment, increasing range of motion, and relieving chronic pain. Just google “Structural Integration bodywork near me” to find a practitioner near you. We can really help with relieving fascial restrictions, easing chronic pain, and making moving better. It is downright magical.
(This is written by Eric Rose, CMT of Vti Bodywork at River Street Wellness in Montpelier. You can find more information about his work at riverstreetwellnessvt.com.)