BODYWORK ISSUE 26_Jerkins feature.qxd 18/10/2012 00:45 Page 2
STRUCTURAL INTERGRATION
FAST RECOVERY Three tips to get your horse back to racing with Structural Integration Three ways to improve recovery time Specialized equine bodywork called Structural Integration addresses these issues by reducing the cumulative physical and mental stress of intense training. The method brings about improved and efficient use of energy and drastically reduces the incidence of costly training and racing injuries. Even experienced trainers may not be aware of the important role gravity has in balancing the horse's body and how training stress and physical injuries can pull the horse's body out of gravitational alignment. When a horse starts becoming even a little unbalanced, slower, or weaker, it may be wise to look at that horse's body from a structural perspective. Fascia, the body's connective tissue, is the medium that surrounds each muscle, bone, and organ, holding everything in its correct position in the body. When a horse strains a muscle, the fascia tightens around the injured area like a splint to aid in healing. Over time the fascia may gradually shorten, tightening and adjusting to protect and accommodate the misalignments. A body out of alignment creates inefficiency and imbalances resulting in stiffness, discomfort and loss of energy. These translate to slower race times. When the horse's body is in less than optimal condition, fatigue and small injury imbalances compromise recovery time. Slower race times may often be traced to these physical inefficiencies that, over time, become locked in place.
Structural integration Structural Integration is scientifically validated
Racehorses are elite athletes who experience the same aches, pains, mental and physical fatigue, and stress-related injuries as human athletes. Though strong, racehorses are also delicate. It's challenging to keep them on uninterrupted training and racing schedules, free from injury, stress, and strain. WORDS AND PHOTOS: MONICA MCKENZIE
bodywork that reorganizes the horse's integral structure. Unlike massage which focuses on muscles, or chiropractic which works with nerves and bones, Structural Integration works on the protective layers of fascia to align and balance the body by lengthening and repositioning the fascia, which allows muscles to move more efficiently. A Structural Integration practitioner applies pressure and strokes to the body in a defined and specific manner, working the entire fascial system systematically from
“When a horse starts becoming even a little unbalanced, slower, or weaker, it may be wise to look at that horse's body from a structural perspective”
superficial tissue layers to deeper, intrinsic tissue.
Fascia’s role A curious part of anatomy, fascia is the fabric that holds the body together, gives shape and structure, and supports the body working within the bounds of gravity (as opposed to the popular belief that bones provide the body with structure). Fascia is so important that without it we would all collapse on the ground into a big pile of bones and tissue. Fascia weaves together the various parts and pieces of the anatomy and connects them into a continuous whole that surrounds and protects the muscles and literally every cell in the body. When connective tissue is healthy, it: l is pliable and elastic l allows muscles, tendons, and ligaments to shorten and lengthen with flexibility l lets muscles, tendons, and ligaments glide unimpeded by adhesion. When imbalances exist within the body, the health of the connective tissue is affected. Unhealthy connective tissue is thicker, harder, and much less resilient. It becomes dehydrated
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