What is MFR?

Equine Structural Integration and MFR

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What is Structural Integration/MFR?

Structural Integration is series of sessions of hands-on manipulation techniques, based on proven osteopathic methods, that release restrictions in the body's fascia allowing the client's body to arrive at a higher level of balance and order. Fascia is known as the "organ of form" because it gives the body it's shape. Fascia surrounds all components of the body, nerves, blood vessels, bones, organs, muscles and the envelope that surrounds all of these. The term "Myofascia" is describes the fascia around the muscles (Myo), but the techniques are not limited to muscles. Since the fascia of the body is in a 3 dimensional web, not layers, the affects of working on one portion of the web can be transmitted to through the entire web. The body's fascia becomes restricted due to:

Trauma: one of fascia's roles in the body is to distribute the effects of trauma throughout the fascial web which can cause a restriction in the fascia similar to scarring. More likely though, is that the movement changes used to adapt to the pain from trauma will wear an adaptive pattern in the fascia. This pattern can be likened to a "wrinkle" in a pair of riding pants, something that is irritating and somewhat debilitating. It's this type of problem that eludes conventional treatments.

Repetitive training routines: training most be repetitive to assure that ingraining of the training in the nervous system. However, if the routine is not coupled with some sort of cross training then the routine may pattern itself in the fascia as well. This has the negative effect of reducing the range of motions the body has available.

Poor balance: this applies to both the horse and the rider. How often have you seen an unbalanced horse being ridden? As the horse tries to remain upright it adopts numerous "stilts" and "crutches" to help it. All of these are both ingrained in the nervous system and the fascia. This is commonly called a "holding" pattern.

Equipment problems: like poor balance, equipment problems, especially saddle fit and mechanical training aids, cause the animal to adapt structurally to their use. Structural adaptation, poor posture, is fascial holding that when released will allow the body to return to it's inherent order.

These initial issues can be localized and with time become transmitted through the fascial web, as the adaptation moves, to affect another area. This is the reason that fascial restrictions are so often elusive and misdiagnosed.

The Equine SI practitioner uses his or her hands to determine location of fascial restrictions and through the application of specific stretches, designed to release fascial restrictions. The restoration of length and resilience to the fascial tissues will take the pressure off of the nerves and blood vessels reducing pain, as well as restore alignment to the muscles and mobility to the joints. The body will experiences greater range of motion and movement efficiency.

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