Structural Medicine

About Structural Integration

Structural Integration is a scientifically validated body therapy. Unlike massage, Structural Integration focuses not on the muscles, but rather on the organizational layer of connective tissue, called fascia. Muscles are contracting tissues that give the body and organs physical movement. The fascia surrounds the muscles, bones and organs in the body. The fascia gives muscles their shape and the body its structure.

Structural Integration aligns and balances the body within the field of gravity by lengthening and repositioning the fascia. As fascia is lengthened it allows the muscles to move more efficiently. Dr. Campbell will apply pressure to the body, working the entire fascial system in a systematic way. When restricted fascia is released and lengthened the body can return to its structurally optimal position.

The continual force of gravity, poor postural tone, the stress of daily activities and physical injuries can pull the body out of alignment. The fascia gradually shortens, tightens and adjusts to accommodate the misalignment. When the body is out of alignment it creates inefficiency and imbalance resulting in stiffness, discomfort and loss of energy.

When a body is aligned and balanced it moves with greater ease. It requires less energy to function. Good posture is effortless and breathing is easier. The body becomes more flexible, more coordinated and athletic performance improves.

Who can benefit from Structural Integration?

Persons who experience the following:

• Acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain and discomfort
• Involvement in a motor vehicle accident (whiplash)
• Injury from sports activity (extremity pain)
• Occupational/work related injuries (low back pain)
• Chronic pain due to poor postural habits
• Persons seeking to achieve optimal health and well-being

What will I experience in a Structural Integration treatment?

Structural Integration is performed in ten treatments. Each treatment is approximately eighty minutes in length. It is preferable that the treatments are received, one per week for ten weeks in a row. The ten treatments are administered progressively; each treatment builds upon the last until complete integration of the body is achieved. The process of Structural Integration includes balancing the body in segments and achieving vertical alignment within the field of gravity from balancing the body from front to back, side to side, top to bottom and inside to outside.

At the beginning of the first treatment the patient spends some time speaking with Dr. Campbell about the goals and intentions as applied to their unique situation and structure. Each patient receives a Patient Manual outlining the body segment that will be focused upon in each treatment, the pyscho-structural component related to each treatment and the movement and postural exercises to be performed by the patient to assist in integrating postural alignment.

Male patients receive the body therapy in underwear or swimsuit, women in two piece swimsuits or bra and underwear. Dr. Campbell will then make a complete postural assessment of your body within the field of gravity. In most cases (unless the patient requests that this not been done), photographs or digital images are taken of the patient in the anterior, posterior, and lateral standing positions. This is done to visualize the before and after results of the treatment, in addition to visualizing how incongruent the patient's body is within the field of gravity. The patient will lie on the treatment table so Dr. Campbell can work with their body. The patient will participate in the session often being asked to breathe into the area being worked on or to make small, specific movements.

During the treatment the patient may experience a warm, pleasant sensation from the area that is being worked with. Some individuals do not experience any sensation while others may experience momentary discomfort. Dr. Campbell will apply the appropriate pressure, based on the patient's needs and feedback. During most of the treatments Dr. Campbell will help the patient to become aware of habitual patterns of movement and imbalances in their body and will help them work toward making changes in these patterns in their daily life.

After the basic ten series is complete, a patient usually allows a period of time for the body to adapt and fully integrate before scheduling additional body therapy. The waiting period can be anywhere from one month to one year based on the patient's unique experience. After the waiting period the patient can return for tune-up treatments or advanced treatments to further the process of integration. In some instances Dr. Campbell will work with patients in ongoing treatments to achieve specific goals.

What are the benefits?

Structural Integration is a very personal process. It is important to remember that because no two people are alike, their experience and the benefits will never be exactly the same. As a result of the process people often appear taller and slimmer. Some actually gain anywhere from 1/4" to over 1 inch in height. Feelings of discomfort or pain are often alleviated. Other often experienced benefits are greater flexibility, a feeling of lightness, movement and fluidity, better balance, increased breathing capacity, increased energy and greater self-confidence.

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 our physical being. All are interrelated and web-like connections exists between each component. Align the physical structure and it will open up the individual's potential. Patients 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.

Does Structural Integration last?

YES! Photographs taken of patients years after the Basic Ten Series show that changes are still present and structure often improved. Keep in mind however, as life changes, bodies change in response. Injuries, accidents, lengthy illnesses, lack of practicing good postural tone and emotional stress may necessitate additional work.

What other techniques are utilized to achieve Structural Alignment and Integration?

Chiropractic. Dr. Campbell presently utilizes non-force (Sacral Occipital Technique), low-force (Activator), and manual techniques such as Thompson, Full Spine Specific and Diversified.

A major factor in achieving complete structural integration is to remove any joint misalignments. This is accomplished by removing contributing spinal dysfunction's such as scoliosis (acquired), hyperlordosis (excessive low back or neck curvature), hypolordosis (very little low back or neck curvature), hyperkyphosis (excessive mid back curvature), hypokyphosis (very little mid back curvature), and sacroiliac joint misalignment (which causes short and long legs conditions). Additionally, other joints of the body may become misaligned and may require adjustment.

It is this unique approach that allows Dr. Campbell to achieve the outcome of structural alignment and integration.