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What
is Structural Medicine?
Structural Medicine, performed by
certified Structural Medicine Specialists (SMS), is an advanced
form of structural integration, using a variety of treatment
modalities to help each client obtain and maintain optimum
function. This often results in reduction or elimination of
pain. Unlike other classical structural integration programs,
Structural Medicine is pathology-based, whereby the
treatment program is custom developed for each client.
Certified Structural Medicine Practitioners (SMS) have completed
a 2,000-hour training program from the Institute
of Structural Medicine. See Typical
Treatment Session.
In addition to the standard Structural
Medicine training program, we are trained in visceral manipulation,
a manual therapy for the organs, visceral ligaments, and visceral
fascia. Visceral manipulation therapy is fully integrated
with structural integration therapy.
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Tensegrity Structure
Tom Meyer's
Anatomy Trains
Superficial Back Line
Fascia Fibers
Collagen Fibers
In Vivo Fascia
Under Electron Microscope
Dr. Guimberteau
French Hand Surgeon
Visceral Manipulation
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Structural
Integration. Our body
structure is determined by the “web” of myofascial
tissue that surrounds our muscles and bones and every organ
in our body. Skilled manual manipulation of this tissue corrects
structural compensations, increases range of motion, and relieves
sources of pain. Fascia is a dynamic, complex tissue that
self-organizes on the principle of tensegrity.
All of us live in gravity, a force
that our body has evolved with over time to create a being
that moves in an efficient, coordinated manner, distributing
physical forces (vectors) evenly to support structures such
as our skeleton and dynamic movement components, such as our
muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Structural integration is
the study of the relationship of these forces to the human
body and how to best facilitate the most efficient myofascial
web of connective tissue for each person.
Fascia is composed primarily of collagen
fibers, elastin fibers, and ground substance, the liquid biochemical
solution that bathes the matrix of fibers. Manual structural
integration therapy highly influences the relationship of
the ground substance with the matrix of fibers, changing the
biochemistry of the fascia and the other systems that communicate
and integrate with the fascia. Often, this has one of the
greatest effects on the client's structure, well being, and
energy levels, especially for clients with fibromyalgia, neuropathy,
MS, chemotherapy, or restless leg syndrome.
Structural integration is an evolving
field of medicine. Tom Meyers has coined the phrase "spatial
medicine" to encompass the expansive influence of fascia
on the human being and its structure. Structural medicine
is strongly influenced by the Anatomy Trains study and diagramming
of fascial lines that connect and carry forces through the
musculoskeletal system.
At our clinic, we speak of "topology",
a mathematical term used to describe the relationship of each
point in space with all others. For this is what drives the
structure of the human body, be it functional or dysfunctional.
The body is always adapting and compensating to its environment.
Forces of stress and gravity are distributed throughout the
body, each point absorbing or transferring energy to the other.
It is always in balance, but not necessarily to our functional
well-being.
Diane Lee, a physical therapist and
author, describes the concept of structural integration as
"global system of integrated slings".
"It has
become clear that the global system is essentially an integrated
sling system, comprised of several muscles, which produce
forces... The slings may overlap and interconnect depending
upon the task being demanded. It is proposed that the slings
have no beginning or end but rather connect to assist in transference
of forces...It is possible that the slings are all part of
one interconnected myofascial system..."
Diane Lee, BSR, MCPA,
FCAMT
The Pelvic Girdle, 3rd
Edition
Visceral
Manipulation. The web of fascia of our musculoskeletal
system is connected to, and fully integrated with the visceral
fascia of our organs. Each system of fascia influences the
other, including creating fascial holding, organ motility
dysfunction, and structural dysfunction. Emotional holding
in the viscera can often be a key element in chronic pain,
tension or dysfunction, both internally in the gastrointestinal
system, and the musculoskeletal system.
The body will protect organs and viscera
at the expense of musculoskeletal function. Therefore, the
body may create fascial patterns that cause the body to move
around the internal visceral dysfunction. By releasing the
visceral dysfunction, either through mobility or motility,
the musculoskeletal system is affected.
There are significant connections
between the musculoskeletal system and the visceral system.
At the Fairhaven Center for Structural Medicine, our manual
treatment therapy addresses both in an integrated manner.
As Liz Gaggini, a structural integration and visceral manipulation
instructor says about the integration of both systems and
therapies:
"Until
the visceral problem is resolved, the structural changes will
not hold."
Liz Gaggini, M.A.
Visceral Manipulation
in Structural Work
IASI 2005 Year Book
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