What is structural integration?
Structural integration (also known as alignment therapy or “Rolfing”) seeks to return your body to its optimum structure by realigning your interconnectivle tissues (“myofascial” layer) that hold your muscles in place. Usually performed over a series of ten or so one to one sessions, the treatment follows a specific plan that thoroughly and methodically moves through different areas of the body and muscle groups.
Which conditions does it treat?
Structural integration therapy is commonly used to treat chronic (long term) pain conditions, including persistent repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), muscle imbalances, arthritis and back pain. Runners, in particular, seem to be a group that favour structural integration. It differs from other mainstream physiotherapy techniques in that a practitioner actually raises and moves the myofascial layer back into its correct positioning, as well as flushing out waste products like conventional sports massage. For runners, tackling knots, pain points and postural issues can lead to better performance and a reduced risk of future injury.