What does “Tensegrity” mean?
Tensegrity (or tensional integrity) is an architectural term describing how tension and compression can be balanced and distributed throughout a structure. Load or stress one portion of the structure and the whole structure will give a little to accommodate. Viewing the human body as a tensegrity structure rather than as a compressive structure such as a stack of bricks (or bones) helps to explain why an injury in one region can cause pain elsewhere. Tensegrities allow for flexibility and a resilience to the dynamic stress our bodies deal with throughout the day to run or twist or pull or even walk. But that amazing ability to instantaneously distribute forces throughout the structure also means components can be strained (or irritated) far from the site where the force (or problem) originated. For treatment of pain, this makes assessing the whole body, rather than just the painful region, pivotal for treatment to work. For more information as to tensegrity’s application to the musculo
