Structural Integration (SI) or "Rolfing" as it commonly known, was developed by Dr Ida P Rolf (1896-1979) in the USA. Dr Rolf was perhaps unique in her day for being both a notable biochemist and adept therapeutic practitioner whose interest in the body's fascia, began a field of enquiry and research that provides a scientific foundation for fascial manipulation today.
SI involves direct manipulation of the fascia to bring about a body-wide balance of minimal tension and movement ability. If the fascia surrounding the structures within a body are able to glide and slide relative to each other as nature intended, then the body is at ease and movement is effortless. Adverse tension held within the fascia can cause additional compression and reduced movement and therefore dis-ease.
Kinesis Structural integration(KMI)
Tom Myers trained directly with Ida Rolf and developed a concept for the work called Anatomy Trains. Based on anatomical dissection Myers takes a 'longitudinal' view anatomy through the myofascial connections that link muscles through their tendons to bones to other tendons to muscles to tendons and so on. Anatomy trains (or myofascial continuities) provide a means to understand the relationships of the various structures of the body. Applying this to treatment enables a holistic approach that is tailored to meet the needs of the individual. By freeing the fascial tissue based on the logic of the anatomy trains, the body can be re-educated into efficient sustaining patterns for both posture and movement.
KMI practitioners offer a 12-session series working through all the anatomy trains and a short 3-session series working through the lower-body, upper-body then unifying the work through the spine.
Read more on the KMI Anatomy Trains website.