ARE THERE PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS?
While Structural Integration is primarily concerned with physical changes in the body, it affects the whole person. We are made up of emotions, attitudes, belief systems and behavior patterns as well as the physical being. All are related. Align the physical structure and it will open up the individual’s potential.
Clients often report positive changes, stating less stress, greater self-confidence and improved ability to handle life’s changes. Such changes have been reported in all age groups.
BENEFITS OF ROLF STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION
The benefits of Structural Integration that are most commonly experienced include and are not limited to the following:
BODY: Alignment, posture and shape more closely approach the gravitational; optimum, Improved symmetry and functional balance.
BREATHING: More freedom and ease in breathing. Greater depth and distribution of breath throughout the torso, often accompanied by a measurable increase in vital capacity.
MOVEMENT: Truer alignment of the body segments in motion. Greater resilience and flexibility. Smoother, more “light and free”
Quality of movement. Increased and more symmetrical ranges of motion.
ENERGY: A sense of increased vigor and more available energy. More efficient use of energy. Normalization perceived temperature in extremities.
BODY AWARENESS: Increased, more sophisticated levels of awareness. A sense of mental clarity and increased perceptual activity.
RELAXATION: Lower daily tension levels. Lowered tendency to express stress as physical tension. Deeper levels of relaxation more easily obtained.
EMOTIONAL: Feelings more accessible and recognizable. Facilitation of therapy or other growth processes. An increase in the depth of insight.
SLEEP: Deeper, more restful sleep. Reduced insomnia.
BODY TISSUES: Improved skin tone and color in normal and scarred skin. Softer, more resilient texture to muscles and soft tissues.
The Structural Integration process may often improve the situation of individuals who have a history of:
- Injury or illness that creates residual scar tissue, adhesions, or chronic postural adaptation to pain. Examples: surgery, fractures, disease.
- Chronic misuse, unconscious stress and warp of the physical structure. Examples: improper exercising, faulty posture.
- Emotional tension and psychological stress affecting the body as patterns of held tension, restriction of free movement, etc. Examples: teeth grinding, hunching of shoulders, restriction of breath.
- Habitual activities (work, sports, etc.), repetitive stresses and unconscious postural imitation can create aberrant movement and structural patterns. Examples: computer programmers, postal carriers, dancers, hair stylists, baseball pitchers, golfers.
These changes, which may occur, are the direct result of the partnership and participation of both the client and the Rolfer.