What is Equine Structural Integration?
Structural integration focuses not on the muscles but on their protective layer, called fascia (also known as connective tissue). Muscles are contracting tissues that give the body and organs physical movement. The fascia surrounds the muscles, bones and organs in the body. Fascia is strong connective tissue which performs a number of functions, including enveloping and isolating the muscles of the body, providing structural support and protection. The fascia gives muscles their shape and the body its structure.
Specifically, structural integration works by lengthening and releasing the patterns in the fascia, allowing the body to return to its structurally optimal position. An unbalanced body will compensate to combat the downward pull of gravity. The continuing pull of gravity, the stress of daily activities and physical injuries can pull the body out of alignment. Fascia shortens and thickens in response to repetitive strain, misuse, trauma and disease. This further pulls the body away from ideal alignment and causes more discomfort in the body. The fascia gradually shortens, tightens and adjusts to accommodate the misalignment. The resulting distress is cumulative, the body becoming more and more out of balance as time passes. When the body is out of alignment it creates inefficiency and imbalance resulting in stiffness, discomfort and loss of energy.
As chronic fascial holding patterns are released, the compromises the horse developed in his body and movement fade. Freedom of movement emerges as the different layers of tissue glide more effortlessly over one another, helping the horse establish a better sense of the ground, his relationship to it and to the gravity that supports him. This has the overall effect of bringing greater power and rhythmic grace to the horse’s gait. The practitioner will apply pressure to the body, working the entire fascial system in a systemic way. As a result, the thickened, toughened tissues become soft, re-hydrated and more pliable.
Structural integration focuses not on the muscles but on their protective layer, called fascia (also known as connective tissue). Muscles are contracting tissues that give the body and organs physical movement. The fascia surrounds the muscles, bones and organs in the body. Fascia is strong connective tissue which performs a number of functions, including enveloping and isolating the muscles of the body, providing structural support and protection. The fascia gives muscles their shape and the body its structure.
Specifically, structural integration works by lengthening and releasing the patterns in the fascia, allowing the body to return to its structurally optimal position. An unbalanced body will compensate to combat the downward pull of gravity. The continuing pull of gravity, the stress of daily activities and physical injuries can pull the body out of alignment. Fascia shortens and thickens in response to repetitive strain, misuse, trauma and disease. This further pulls the body away from ideal alignment and causes more discomfort in the body. The fascia gradually shortens, tightens and adjusts to accommodate the misalignment. The resulting distress is cumulative, the body becoming more and more out of balance as time passes. When the body is out of alignment it creates inefficiency and imbalance resulting in stiffness, discomfort and loss of energy.
As chronic fascial holding patterns are released, the compromises the horse developed in his body and movement fade. Freedom of movement emerges as the different layers of tissue glide more effortlessly over one another, helping the horse establish a better sense of the ground, his relationship to it and to the gravity that supports him. This has the overall effect of bringing greater power and rhythmic grace to the horse’s gait. The practitioner will apply pressure to the body, working the entire fascial system in a systemic way. As a result, the thickened, toughened tissues become soft, re-hydrated and more pliable.
What are the Benefits of Structural Integration?
- Promotes power and strength through efficient use of the equine’s body.
- Increases energy, impulsion and vibrancy.
- Accentuates grace and fluidity.
- Heightens precision and responsiveness.
- Reduces risk of injuries.
- Promotes effectiveness of other therapies.
- Encourages better attitude.
- Gives the muscles the ability to relax and loosen.
- Provides balanced posture with greater flexibility.
- Enhances range of motion and ease.
- Optimizes overall performance.
- Improves coordination.
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Equine massage/structural integration is not intended to replace medical or veterinary healthcare. Practitioners do not provide medical diagnosis, prescribe medications, perform surgical procedures, or provide chiropractic manipulations.
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