POSTURE
S.I. & S.A. lengthen the body and make it taller and slimmer. Both the abdomen and the posterior move in to the gravity line. Most clients gain anywhere from 1cm to 2cm. Some gain more than 3cm in height.
1.The Importance of Posture
It has increasingly come to light that bad posture, which is so common these days, is responsible not only for actual deformities with their attendant psychological disabilities, but for many other physical and psychological problems stemming from inadequate support of the organs by the abdominal muscles, or pains in the chest, abdomen and limbs due to pressure on the posterior nerve roots as they pass through the intervertebral foramina (opening).
In many adults, various adaptations of muscles, ligaments and bones have taken place as the result of faulty body mechanics, so that complete correction is impossible. However, in almost every case of chronic muscular, neurological, or visceral trouble, other than those definitely due to disease, re-education in correct body mechanics may be expected to effect a major improvement, if not a cure.
The Primary Concept of Both Systems (S.I. & S.A)
S.I
Structural Integration is a scientifically validated body therapy. It is also known as Rolfing® for its founder, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, PhD. Unlike massage, S.I. focuses not on the muscles but on their protective layer called fascia (connective tissue). Muscles are contracting tissues that give the body and organs physical movements. The fascia surrounds the muscles, bones and organs in the body. The fascia gives muscles their shape and the body its structure. S.I. aligns and balances the body by lengthening and repositioning the fascia. As fascia is lengthened it allows the muscles to move more efficiently. When restricted, fascia is released and lengthened. The body can return to its structurally optimal position.
S.A.
Structural Awareness trains the kinesthetic sense, synergyses the body-mind-spirit.
S.I. and S.A. can be given separately, each in an approximately 1 hr. session; however, I combine the two into a 2 hr. session. Active movement participation (A.M.P.) on the part of the client decreases pain sensitivity, makes the client feel more involved, tends to trigger a more trophotropic (relaxed) state, lowers general muscle tonus, increases awareness, etc. The combination of the two systems (both originating from Dr. Rolf) effects a better treatment than each one separately.
The Common Denominator of both Systems
1. to create an understanding of the body’s relationship to the gravitational field,
to teach us how human structure self-organizes in gravity space.
2. to teach that when the body works appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through it. Then, the body spontaneously heals itself (I.P. Rolf)
3. to show how to find a practical application to the human condition and to discover a way to bring forth posture
4. to teach how to reduce stress.
2. Body Types and Posture
No “normal” type of posture exists – since no two human beings are alike in skeletal, muscular or neurological makeup. Also, no two people use their bodies in the same way, nor is their life experience the same. They do not become aware of their habitual movements or patterns in the same way, their bodily imbalances are not the same, nor do they have the same attitude toward making changes in the above patterns in their daily life in the same way. No two people have exactly the same reactions to discomfort or pain. Nature does not provide us with symmetry, but we can try to change the imbalances and this is exactly how the practitioner tries to teach the client rehabilitation and a painless future – to allow change to occur and to improve on his own after the end of the sequence.
3.S.I. & S.A. –Therapy for Acute Spinal Symptoms -How do they Work?
S.I. is a method and a philosophy of personal growth and integrity.
The Vertical Line (Gravitational Plumbline that is felt by everyone in the middle of the body from the time he/she has learned to stand upright and defy the force of gravity. The “Line” is our fundamental concept (those involved with S.I.)
The physical and psychological embodiment of the vertical line is a way of BEING in the physical world. It forms a basis for personal growth and integrity. The teaching of S.I. is transmitted through a method called “The Recipe”.
The Recipe is the tradition, the foundation, and the essence of Dr.Ida Rolf’s teaching. S.I. and S.A. are very personal processes. As we already know, no two people are alike, their experience and the benefits they reap will never be the same. Therefore, the physical and emotional reaction will differ from person to person in intensity and time. Intensity- The willingness to let change occur is a key factor to the success and state of quality of depth of feeling the change. This is not an intellectual, logical process, but a highly emotional one. Time – The stronger the will “to let go” of old patterns, the more eager and earnest the client is to recover, the shorter the time factor
will be. The “Recipe” of the 10 sessions, which, in reality is a flow chart of S.I. & S.A may be accomplished in less time than for a hesitant client.
4. Chronic Spinal Dysfunction
Some of the most common spinal dysfunctions are: lordosis, swayback, flatback, roundback, scoliosis, dorso lumbar khyposis, ankylosing spondylitis, Scheuermans’ Disease and other disorders of joints and connective tissue. It is important to stress again and again that S.I. & S.A. do not “cure” or spot treat a condition/disease, rather they align and balance the body, release restricted fascia so that the body can return to its structurally optimal position. When the body is out of alignment, it creates inefficiency and imbalance resulting in stiffness, discomfort and loss of energy. However, when a body is aligned and balanced it moves with greater ease. It requires less energy to function. This “saved” energy can be used for other purposes. With such an energy reserve, the body is less tired. Good posture is effortless and breathing becomes easier. The body becomes more flexible, more coordinated and athletic performance improves.
5. What are the Benefits of S.I. & S.A. on Posture & How Long Will They Last
· correction or improvement of spinal mobility and coordination of movement patterns
· restoration of normal range of motion, spinal mechanics, proper connective tissue and muscle function.
· education of client for activities of painless daily living.
· effecting a rapid and lasting recovery from acute and chronic postural strain.
The treatment lasts 2 ½ months and the recovery is lasting up to 3 years or in some cases even up to 9-10 years.
6.: How Can I Recover from an Acute or Chronic Back & Turn it into a Strong &Pain-Free One?
For the last 24 years I have been perfecting the answer to this question. I continue to do so while integrating all the literature I have studied. I say this not to impress you, but to impress upon you that the answer to this question lies in your mental and physical participation in the treatment, the wish to excel, to improve yourself, to be better than before. In today’s world, where mediocrity is considered acceptable, almost expected, it would be easy to give up from the beginning and say “no more pain? So, that’s why you came here?” but I want to do the extraordinary, that little bit extra which you and I must put into the work together. I want you to be pain-free for a long time. The Answer of S.I. & S.A. is not a miracle about to happen (although some like to sell it as a miracle cure). The answer is: Achievement is Intense Desire Wouldn’t it be easier if the secret to success was a new wonder drug, a new injection, pill, ointment etc. and all I had to do was give you the name of the doctor who would prescribe it? Just like the “diet concept” that is hammered into your head all the time – convincing you that you can buy health. But you can’t buy health. You have to create health and no one can do this for you-only you can do it. You have to be involved in the process of your healing. No one can do this for you. We have to work together, complementing each other with the intense desire to succeed. All we have are my hands and my knowledge, your breathing, your movement, your relationship to your condition and our mutual trust. No pills, no injections, no ointments – only S.I. & S.A. and the intense desire to succeed where so far all else has failed.
Postscript:
35 years ago (1969) a book “Home Treatment and Posture” was published in England by a very distinguished orthopedic surgeon, W.E. Tucker, wherein he stated: “ The prognosis of the client with backache is not easy to access. If he has a prolapsed, torn disk or an unstable joint, it may only be possible to cure him by operation. But the majority, if they conscientiously carry out home treatment, especially if they do their exercises regularly and pay full attention to posture, have a good chance of staying symptom free for years.”
It appears that 35 years later, many of us, still have to learn this lesson.
Gabriel Rosenthal is an advanced practitioner of S.I. and is certified in S.A. as well as advanced Shiatsu, Accupressure, hand+foot Reflexology, applied Kinesiology, Bio-Energy, Silva Mind Control and many other treatments. He is a member of the Guild for S.I. (Boulder, Colorado-USA) and also specializes in Scoliosis and other spinal curvatures. At the invitation of the Guild he wrote and conducted an intensive workshop on Scoliosis for the school of the Guild