What is Structural Medicine?

I will most likely be referring to Structural Medicine often, since this is one of the primary healing modalities that I use. I imagine most folks have never heard of it.

Structural Medicine is a holistic healing modality that facilitates awareness of the body, mind and spirit. I typically see clients who have chronic or acute pain, or people interested in transformational change in their bodies and movement.

Structural Medicine Specialists work with the fascia or connective tissue of the
body to help align people in gravity and create more freedom of movement. Connective tissue runs throughout our bodies and in multiple layers. There is fascia directly underneath our skin, encapsulating our muscles, running through our joints, even going as deep as our bones. When fascia becomes stiff, injured, or bound in some way it affects our posture, the ability for our bodies to perform movement in an efficient way, and even our emotional state.

Structural Medicine is a type of customized manual therapy and shares it's roots with Hellerwork or Rolfing in that it comes from the genius of Ida Rolf. Donna Bajelis, founder of the Institute of Structural Medicine, has combined her original training of physical therapy with thirty years of private practice and structural integration to create Structural Medicine.

As Structural Medicine Specialists we have several diagnostic tools to create specific treatments for each individual who walks through the door. We use myofascial length testing to determine where the greatest myofascial restrictions are holding in a client's body, we a variety of visual techniques to asses each person needs, and we use Anatomy Trains to asses myofascial meridians as they run throughout the body.

How does this look in practical application? I often see clients who have pain, tightness, or restriction in their upper shoulders. Instead of assuming treatment in this area to relieve the pain, I ask, why is this person feeling this way? It may be because the front of their core is too restricted or too weak. This then, pulls their shoulders and head forward creating too much of a strain through their back. Treatment would then start at differentiating the superficial and core muscles, giving back muscles their original shape, creating coordination throughout the body, and then integrating as a whole through client neuromuscular re-education.

The questions do not stop at a physical level however.

Through dialogue clients are encouraged to look for the deeper causes behind their restrictions. Every person is different, and every person has the responsibility to explore these issues and take control of the mental and physical well being. I have seen clients who have the above posture because of poor self-esteem, depression, or guilt. I've also seen that posture as a result of multiple childbirths, physical trauma, and abdominal surgery.

As Structural Medicine Specialists, we know that we are a catalyst for healing, and that true healing comes from within each person and their own explorations.

My own personal goal is to help facilitate awareness of the body and mind, so that a person is able to take responsibility for their own health and well-being.

Structural Medicine has physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits - the goal being that you feel more alive.
- Donna Bajelis
Founder of ISM