   Ida P. Rolf Tom Myers KMI (Kinesis Myofascial Integration) springs from the pioneering work of Dr Ida P Rolf, as developed, by Thomas Myers. KMI consists of a multi-session protocol (usually 12) of deep, slow fascial and myofascial manipulation, coupled with movement re-education. KMI is one of a number of schools that train practitioners in ‘Structural Integration’, Ida Rolf’s name for her own work. Structural Integration is practiced as an old-world craft with a 21st century comprehension of how your body structure works.  The design of KMI is to unwind the strain patterns residing in your body’s locomotors system, restoring it to its natural balance, alignment, length, and ease. Common strain patterns come about from inefficient movement habits, and our body’s response to poorly designed cars, desks, telephones, and airplanes, etc. Individual strain patterns come from imitation when we are young, from the invasions of injury or surgery or birth, and from our body’s response to traumatic episodes. Beginning as a simple gesture of response, movements can become a neuromuscular habit. The habitual movement forms one’s posture, and the posture requires changes in the structure – the body’s connective tissue ‘fabric’. In other words, a gesture becomes a habit becomes a posture and eventually lodges in our structure. These changes are rarely for the better – anything that pulls us out of alignment means that gravity works on pulling us into more misalignment or increased tension to counteract the force. Compensation begets compensation, and more symptoms. KMI is designed to unwind this process and reduce structural stress. The method depends on a unique property of the body’s connective tissue network • KMI is system-oriented, not symptom oriented • KMI work is applied gently and sensitively, with full client participation • KMI practitioners welcome and value other inputs • KMI seeks client autonomy • The KMI series unfolds around a logical and coherent map of the myofasciae  What makes KMI Different Many shoulder injuries, for instance, are caused by the lack of support from the rib cage. What's the point of fixing the immediate problem if you don't at the same time moderate the cause? The KMI series is designed to progressively build support, sturdiness, and balance throughout the structural system, so that there is a whole new ‘frame’ underlying your posture and movement, which can keep old injuries from coming back and help to prevent new ones from happening. Ida Rolf used to joke: “If your symptoms get better, that's your tough luck”. A KMI practitioner may or may not address right away the area where you are having pain or restrictions - the roots often lie at some distance from the presenting problem. It may take several sessions or most of the series to get to the specifics of the problem, since we have to build up the supporting structure first. In this way, KMI more resembles classical acupuncture or homeopathy or osteopathy - where the symptoms were secondary and building the ‘constitution’ is primary. 2) KMI work is not imposed on the client. The work should be on this side of the pain threshold, and the client and practitioner work out where the pressure and intensity level should be for maximum benefit. No good will come of ‘grinning and bearing it’ through an entire series. Occasionally, it is beneficial to ‘expose’ pain stored in the body, but ‘imposing pain’ is not a part of KMI work. Secondly, the client moves during the application of the manual therapy. If you are lying passively on the table for most of the session, you are not getting the best work you can get. KMI follows Ida Rolf's pithy dictum: “Put it where it belongs and call for movement.” Your movement produces several benefits: it lessens the sensation by spreading it out, it engages your proprioception (inner sensing) that helps integrate the work, and it also helps the practitioner stay on the right layer of fascia during the release. Thirdly, your KMI practitioner wants to hear about how the process is affecting you - physically, emotionally, in your exercise or other performance activities. Letting your practitioner know what's up is very helpful in getting the best work for you. 3) The KMI session series is built around a logical, coherent approach to the myofascial system. The Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians provide a way to define the territory of each session, allowing the practitioner to be both confident that they are getting the proper territory, but also creative within each session to ensure that each individual. For more information about KMI check out What to expect during a KMI session where there are four printable informational handouts. |
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KMI Structural Integration |