Fascia “informs” ... Gravity “justifies”
There’s an inextricable relationship between Gravity and Fascia. This is overlooked. [Interesting, remember how Fascia itself had been overlooked?]
Gravity should be included as a prime factor in understanding Human health and well being. Make it an integral consideration in Fascia science, research studies, and clinical practices.
Simply put, Fascia wouldn’t behave as it does without Gravity.
BACKGROUND
The Fascia Research Congress was started by Tom Findley MD, PhD and Robert Schleip PhD — both practitioners of Structural Integration, the method originated by Ida P. Rolf PhD. She is acknowledged as the “Mother of Fascia”.
Knowing the ideas which underpin Dr. Rolf’s approach will clarify the significance and utility of working with an included view of the integral relationship of the form that is Fascia with the force that is Gravity. And, hopefully recontextualize the subject to open for new creative ideas on approaches for the bench and for the office.
DISCUSSION
Key points on the Fascia-Gravity connection ...
Gravity is an essential reference. Balance in the architectural arrangement of the whole body is healthy, normal. The standard for bodily balance is the same as for all structures on Earth: balance in respect to the three cardinal planes. The Fascial system is the “Organ of Structure”. It is the bodywide, three dimensional fabric [“matrix”] of support and organization. Seeing its interconnected tensionality we now model the body as a tensegrity structure; i.e., balance maintained in the equipoise span of the connective tissues. Imbalances in the Fascial web are contributive in symptoms of chronic pain and stress. Imbalances in the fascial web have accompanying compensations. Fascia is plastic, adaptive. Myofascial anatomy is a clinical map. Integration of the body structure with Gravity is wholistic, somatic: that is, we access the whole Human being at the concrete, hands-on body level. Upright verticality in the Human body structure is in the definition of normal. It is the direction of Human physical evolution.
CONCLUSION/SUGGESTIONS
The Human body design calls for balance with the force of Gravity. Imbalances contribute to dis-ease.
That the Human body can transform to such a level of structural integration is still to be seen as a realizable possibility. Much less a value in itself. Including this can open new areas for research study as well as clinical diagnosis and applications.
PROPOSED RESEARCH
Compile an image record of pre/post Dr. Ida P. Rolf Method Structural Integration processing enlisting models in training classes in schools accredited by the International Association of Structural Integrators. Images to include strictly comparable photographic imaging/analysis, and other innovative measurement devices; e.g., on site foot pressure plate mapping, gait analysis; selected digital pattern overlays in system with analysis of spacial variances.
Mostly I like this clear presentation. I can suggest one change. Using badic training models as subjects mesns the practitioners working on them have very low experience. The resulting change will likely be greater if advanced class models are used. Teacher’s models from basic classes would also be good.
ReplyDeleteYour point is very well taken. It's a sticky issue. Different schools, different practitioners. Variations in issues clients/class models present. There may be no way to replicate on what is actually delivered. I brought this up in connection to a proposed research study using classroom models. They didn't share the written proposal so I have no idea how they addressed the issues of replication and level of practitioner skill; or if they even did that. On the latter, it may have to make due to have it that the student work is under qualified supervision. That said, my idea is not about proving a particular method is effective. or how one school performs versus others. The photo/image results are intended to prove the point that body structure is changeable, and in the direction of balanced verticality. A large sampling should show a range of results even under the strictest attempts for consistency of delivery. I would expect however that the overall outcome would validate the point. Those of us who work in the field know this from experience. The study is intended to accumulate a valid record. Up until such an undertaking, the photos that are taken in classes vary in quality and are sitting in files somewhere. I'm suggesting a new undertaking to ensure the "readings" themselves are accurate, consistent in framing, and therefore comparable.
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