Neurostructural Integration?

[Guest guest]

The therapeutic system developed by Bowen and known as " Neurostructural

Integration " (not " Structural Integration " or " Rolfing " is referred to in

the following website. Would anyone (especially Barrett Dorko) like to

comment?

--------------------------

<http://www.mercola.com/forms/nst.htm>

Neurostructural Therapy (NST)

What Is Neuro-Structural Integration Technique?

NST is a subtle muscle/nerve/connective tissue technique. The work is:

gentle, non-invasive and can be performed through clothing

Unlike massage or other manipulations that try to force a change, NST simply

resets your body to heal itself. The results are profound and lasting, and

usually apparent within two or three sessions.

NST's application is completely safe and appropriate for everyone from highly

trained athletes, to newborns,

to pregnant women, to the elderly and infirm.

It's based on principles and practices developed by Australian Tom Bowen,

beginning almost 50 years ago. By the time of his death in 1982, Mr. Bowen

had worked on hundreds of thousands of patients, forever changing the nature

of soft-tissue work.

NST Is a New Concept in Bodywork.

It is neither derived from nor substantially similar to any other physical

modality:

[Don't they ALL say that? Mel Siff]

There is no manipulation of joints or bony structures such as in

chiropractic-- however, misalignments will almost invariably right themselves.

There is no deep or prolonged contact with muscle tissues as in massage--

however, muscle tensions and strains are relieved and normal lymphatic flow

restored.

[it is amazing how many devices and techniques are claimed to improve our

dreadfully impaired lymphatic systems, when even very gentle exercise will

stimulate " lymphatic drainage " in the average person. Mel Siff]

Although many traditional acupoints are included in the sequences, there are

not addressed or organized in anything resembling Chinese medical theory--

however, meridian readings will show strong and immediate changes.

There is no heavy probing of fascia or connective tissue as in Rolfing or

deep-tissue work-- however,fascia rehydrates, adhesions release and scar

tissue softens and shrinks.

[And we are always supposed to accept such claims, even though it is never

mentioned how one non-invasively manages to measure these structural changes

in our connective and muscular tissues. mel Siff]

There is no strategic 'duress' or invoking of emotional content as in

" mind-body " therapies-- however, internal psychological shifts are very

common.

[A beautiful or skilled therapist or masseur will elicit also some very

rapid, positive changes just like that. Mel Siff]

There is no intentional " channeling " or redirecting of energies-- however,

nearly everyone reports a pleasant, trance-like state, a quickening and

subliming of the spirits, and a profound sense of well-being and ease.

[That sort of trance-like state often takes place quite naturally in some

lectures or while driving behind the wheel of a car. " Subliming of the

spirits " -- what on earth is that? Some incantation extolling the virtues of

a good vintage wine or whisky? Quite seriously now, gentle massage of

virtually any form usually tends to produce much the same sort of altered

state - what makes it unique to " Neurostructural Integration " ? Mel Siff]

NST is a Strikingly Innovative

NST is not massage, chiropractic, or acupressure, but rather a system of

stimulating body reflexes. Simple movements are done across muscles, nerves

and connective tissue. This gentle contact causes the neuromuscular system to

reset all related tension levels, promoting natural healing. The relief is

profound and lasting, affecting muscular, digestive, respiratory, glandular

and energetic systems.

[How have these alleged changes been measured? Those who receive skilled

massage subjectively report much the same experiences - again, one has to ask

if anyone has really proved that " Neurostructural Integration " is superior to

simple massage or other " body therapies " ? Mel Siff]

The Basic Move Used In NST Is Quite Simple:

It is done with thumb or fingers, traction skin perpendicularly across a

muscle, tendon or nerve sheath, then with a bit more pressure, reversing the

movement, fully stretching the skin in the opposite direction, and gently

plucking the underlying structure as you go.

[Now, since this technique also is taught in some massage therapeutic courses

(and other body therapies), how does one conclude that " Neurostructural

Integration " is so different from massage? Mel Siff ]

The body-mapping systems and the patterns of moves he developed are elegant

and profound. Generally only a few sessions are needed to resolve all but the

most serious complaints. This is because NST does not merely relieve

symptoms, but addresses the root causes of most physical complaints. These

underlying roots Bowen recognized to include:

[Once again, may we see the proof that NST " addresses the root causes " ? In

many cases, even the most costly medical methods are unable to accurately

identify single " root causes " of many ailments, so how does the NST

practitioner manage to do so? Note, too the comment that NST addresses the

root causes of MOST physical complaints -- this outrageous " snake-oilish "

claim certainly warrants our seeing research or clinical studies which

validate this claim. Mel Siff]

* Asymmetrical muscle tensions, often in whole-body patterns of distortion

* Constricted, dehydrated fascial tissues

* Imbalances in the cranial system, especially the Temporo-Mandibular Joint

* Corresponding imbalances in the sacral-coccygial-inominate system

The Dynamic Body Balance

Consists of sequential balances of three 3 modules:

1. A lumbar/gluteal/hamstring module, designed to free the lower back and

sacrum areas.

2. A thoracic module, designed to free the diaphragm, thoracic vertebrae, and

upper-back musculature.

3. A cervical module to integrate and continue this releasing into the neck

vertebrae and musculature, as well as initially addressing the cranial

connections......

[For more on this sort of beguiling guru-speak which is all too common in the

therapeutic and fitness worlds, see my guru terminology kit in a previous

letter or on p 184 of my " Facts & Fallacies of Fitness " book. Mel Siff]

----------------

Dr Mel C Siff

Denver, USA

Supertraining/

[Guest guest]

Mel Siff wrote:

> The therapeutic system developed by Bowen and known as " Neurostructural

> Integration " (not " Structural Integration " or " Rolfing " is referred to in

> the following website. Would anyone (especially Barrett Dorko) like to

> comment?

>

> --------------------------

>

> <http://www.mercola.com/forms/nst.htm>

>

> Neurostructural Therapy (NST)

>

> What Is Neuro-Structural Integration Technique?

NST is purportedly a " more reasoned " and studied version of the

Bowen Method or Bowen Technique which is fairly commonly used in

Australia, notably in many/most hospitals.

I have tried many therapy methods out of curiosity (leaving out the

ones that were too obviously based on Tinker-Bell logic).

Unfortunately, my engineering training and innate scepticism have

left me with no real ability to appreciate any subtleties in a lot

of " alternative " modalities, up to an including acupuncture by

experienced Chinese.

BUT... I have to say that I tried the Bowen Method and had some

alarming (to me) successes in the reduction of a chronic tendonitis

and an indeterminate chronic problem with the elbow of the other arm.

It's frustrating. It seems to work (in this anecdotal incident) and

yet there is no logic to it. Supposedly there has been some

research done by a pediatric oncologist named JoAnne Whitaker who

has posited that the autonomic nervous system is involved in the

curative effects.

[My brief critique did not state that this and similar techniques

do not enjoy therapeutic success, but that there is no proof that they work

for the reasons claimed, that they are superior to other simple

procedures like skilled massage or that placebo effects do not cause

most of the positive effects. If these methods produced no improvements

at all, obviously they would soon fade away. But, if they enjoy even as little

as a 30 precent success rate, then that is more than enough to ensure their

continued use. The fact also remains that one form of therapy may " work "

even after several other therapies have failed, sometimes as the collective

result of all the preceding treatments and sometimes as a result of what is

often called " spontaneous remission. " Mel Siff]

I don't know. Just throwing what I do know into the pot. NST by

itself is not more than an offshoot (validity indeterminable) of the

Bowen Method.

Regards,

Mike Sigman

Durango, Colorado

USA