Structural Bodywork

An advanced introduction to the field of structural bodywork which focusses on the issues of postural and functional dysfunction. The text builds on the theories of Ida Rolf (Rolfing) and Feldenkrais and reviews them in the broader context of massage therapy and other complementary therapies based on bodywork techniques including chiropractic. The book is in 3 main parts. Part 1 looks at the background of structural bodywork and how it has developed before defining it as it is understood today. Part 2 looks at the theory of structural body work in more depth and relates it to human anatomy and clinical presentations. It draws together various strands of theory and practice which have not been considered together before but are all related to bodywork practice. Part 3 is a major part of the book and is a practical guide to structural bodywork techniques. This latter section is highly illustrated with photographs and line drawings.

• Content is highly readable, academically sound, and grounded firmly in bodywork practice.
• Previously unrelated theories are discussed and applied to practice.
• The well-known theories of Rolf and Feldenkrais are reviewed.
• A comprehensive practical manual section provides numerous techniques and models for a variety of musculoskeletal skeletal problems.

• Numerous illustrations provide a better understanding of text content.

  Klappentext

  Providing an advanced introduction to the field of structural bodywork, this valuable resource combines coverage of both skills and theory into one comprehensive guide to this specialized form of bodywork practice. Featuring numerous illustrations with photographs and drawings, it provides extensive information on the theory of structural bodywork related to human anatomy and clinical presentations. Focusing on issues related to dysfunctions of structure, posture, and gait, this reader-friendly text also discusses the background of structural bodywork, how it has developed, and how it is understood today.

  Zusammenfassung
  An introduction to the field of structural bodywork, this book focuses on the issues of postural and functional dysfunction. It looks at the background of structural bodywork and how it has developed. It also looks at the theory of structural body work and relates it to human anatomy and clinical presentations. It is illustrated with photographs.

  Inhalt

  Preface
  Acknowledgements
  Section 1: Background and History of Structural Bodywork
  Structural bodywork: An overview
  A brief history of structural bodywork
  Structural bodywork in the context of other complementary therapies
  What is structural bodywork?
  Structural bodywork - some frequently asked questions
  Section 2: Our Somatic Organisation
  The mapping of man
  The techniques of structural bodywork
  Structure and function
  The connective tissue network
  The oscillatory properties of the fascial network
  Section 3: Practical Manual
  A catalogue of some common postural dysfunctions
  Some useful models for working with structure
  Practicum - assessment, technique and strategy in structural bodywork
  A first approximation to balancing structure
  Working in the sagittal plane
  Working on the frontal plane
  Working on the transverse plane
  Working with the shoulder girdles
  Working with the external rotation of the leg