Structural body therapy (SKT) is one of the holistic body therapy methods that are particularly suitable for treating psychosomatic complaints. Body and soul are considered as a unit and the interactions are taken into account in the therapeutic work.
What is structural body therapy?
Structural Body Therapy (SKT) is one of the holistic body therapy methods that are particularly suitable for treating psychosomatic complaints. Structural body therapy is the name given to a body psychotherapy method in which deep connective tissue massages are used to achieve better body alignment, which also leads to an improvement in the psychological state. Body psychotherapy has long known about the interactions between body and soul and the effects of gravity and uses this knowledge for healing. Holistic techniques are used to release pent-up emotions and trauma in the body, which often lead to illness. Structural Body Therapy has its origins in the “Rolfing” method of Dr. Ida Pauline Rolf (1896 – 1979). She was an American biochemist and in the course of her research she discovered connections between chronic diseases and body structure/posture. From these findings, she developed her method, Rolfing, which involves 10 steps to change the deep connective tissue structures of the body and initiate positive psychological change.
Function, effect and goals
Structural Body Therapy is suitable for all people who are interested in more inner and outer vitality and want to be literally straightened up. It is especially suitable for people who use their body as a tool, such as actors, dancers, musicians and athletes, managers and politicians. It is not symptom-oriented, but has positive effects on various health problems:
- Functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system
- Back pain, herniated disc, cervical spine / lumbar spine syndrome, spinal curvature.
- Joint problems, poor posture
- Chronic muscle tension
- Psychosomatic complaints, respiratory problems
- Anxiety, depression
- Psychovegetative disorders, stress, trauma.
Body-oriented methods see the body and mind as an inseparable entity and emotions as flowing energy that normally flows on its own. But if this flow is impeded, there is a congestion of the life force with various effects on the body consciousness and pathogenic consequences. The human body consists mostly of connective tissue. In Structural Body Therapy, the connective tissue and muscle membranes (fasciae) are mobilized and changed. It is through the fascia that muscle power is transmitted in the body. When the muscular connective tissue is elastic and supple, body awareness and coordination improve. When overloaded and stressed, the elasticity of the muscles is lost, the body hurts and becomes immobile. The numerous deformations in life leave traces in the tissue. Chronic stress, damaged intervertebral discs, rheumatic diseases and arthrosis are reflected in glued fascia and connective tissue layers. This is where Structural Body Therapy comes in, counteracting these blocking forces and bringing the body back into harmony and balance by straightening it up. In 10 consecutive sessions, the therapist works with the client to restore a new body balance by releasing chronically shortened muscles and agglutinated connective tissue. Through mindful counteraction of vegetative stress symptoms, a gentle release of postural restrictions and negative thought patterns takes place. Structural Body Therapy is not only suitable for people with health restrictions, but also for healthy people who want to feel more inner mobility and joy of life. The therapy consists of 10 individual sessions, which are systematically coordinated. Depending on the course of the therapy, the 10 basic sessions can be increased by another 1 to 5 sessions. The cost for one session is about 90 € for 1.5 hours, the complete cost for 10 sessions is about 795 €.In each of the individual sessions, there is first a personal conversation, followed by a visual examination of the body structures while walking and standing. During the treatment, which is mostly done lying down, the fasciae are loosened through sensitive and targeted pressure. Body therapy methods are gaining more and more importance because, unlike symptom-oriented conventional medicine, they take better account of the various effects of our lives on body and soul and start there with the treatment.
Risks, side effects and dangers
For most body therapies there is still no sound scientific evidence, but they are often covered by health insurance. Most body therapy methods have decades of positive experience with their clients. In this day and age of our highly technical medicine, people are given too little time and attention, which is why many are drawn to alternative therapies that take a holistic view of people and take their time. Body therapies are basically to be seen as positive, but they should not replace a visit to the doctor in case of serious complaints. In cases of discomfort, it is better to see a doctor first to find out the causes before considering body therapy. Even if structural body therapy does not bring sufficient success, it is better to consult a doctor to find out possible causes of the complaints and to treat them sensibly. Another risk is that the term body therapy is not protected and, as a method of self-experience, is not subject to any restrictions on practice. However, if body therapies are to be used to heal and alleviate illnesses and complaints, they may only be practiced by physicians, alternative practitioners, psychological psychotherapists and child and youth psychotherapists. Anyone who does not want to run the risk of inadequately trained therapists should find out about the therapist’s training before seeking treatment.
