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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 KMI 'brand' of structural integration concentrates on doing deep, lasting,
and significant work, with anatomical precision, blended with movement and
sensitivity to the unfolding individual experience. The KMI 'recipe' for structural
integration is based around the "Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians", which
are explored in a book by Thomas Myers, published in 2001 by Harcourt
Brace.
The design of KMI is to unwind the strain patterns residing in your body's
locomotor 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 badly-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. What starts as a simple gesture of response
can become a neuro-muscular 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 malalignment 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.
Connective tissue is a remarkably versatile bit of biology. It forms every
supportive tissue from the fluid blood to the solid bone, and a host of sheets,
straps, and slings in between. The muscular tissue moves us around, but it
works through the connective tissue fascia, tendons, and the ligaments at
every turn, and it is the connective tissue complex that holds us in the shape
we are in.
When we are injured or stressed, no matter what the source, there is a
neuro-muscular response - usually involving some combination of contraction,
retraction, immobility, and often rotation. These patterns put some muscles
under strain (where they develop painful trigger points) and also pulls at this
fascial fabric, requiring it to shift, thicken, glue itself to surrounding structures,
and otherwise compensate for the excess sustained muscular holding.
Especially for chronic and long-held patterns, it is not enough to release the
muscular holding, though that is definitely a good start. Freeing and
repositioning the fascial fabric, along with re-integrating the movement
patterns so that they stay easily in their proper positioning, is the job of KMI. In
this sense, KMI could be seen as a companion to osteopathic or chiropractic
care, but instead of thrusting the bones back into place, we adjust the fascial
'guy-wires' so that they stay in place - the new alignment simply becomes part
of who you are, not something you have to work at or repeatedly see a
practitioner to maintain.