STRUCTURAL BODYWORK
Structural bodywork or STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION targets the fascia in order to encourage more space, support, comfort and functional movement in the body. The fascia is the web of connective tissue in the body, comprising of the tendons and ligaments, surrounding muscles, nerves, and vasculature. It is an interwoven system that allows our bodies to have elasticity and adaptability. Structural integration is a whole body approach, looking intentionally at each clients needs to therapeutically apply fascial techniques and support many physical goals ranging from deeper breath, increased body awareness, increased range of motion, decreased pain, better alignment, better posture and more efficient movement. It is most effective over a series of sessions following fascial tracts or trains in the body. This allows a more detailed a thorough arc to the progression of work with more effective outcomes.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN SESSION
Structural bodywork is an active collaborative process between therapist and client. Each session will start with a check in and history taking, followed by body reading to determine what is happening posturally in your body. Together a plan will be formulated for the session. The session will consist of seated, supine and prone work where the therapist will call for some movement to increase the effectiveness of the tissue engagement. There will be walking, applied movement assessment, corrective exercises and breathing, with opportunity for reflection about awareness of body sensations.
WHAT TO WEAR TO SESSIONS
Fascial techniques are most effective directly on skin. It is also difficult to interpret the bodies postural patterns through baggy or unfitted clothing. It is recommended that clients arrive with comfortable attire that allows for maximal skin exposure, such as athletic, stretchy shorts, full coverage underwear, minimally strappy, open backed and comfortable bras. There is a lot of care taken to maintain modesty and comfort through out sessions. Temperature is regulated with blankets, table warmer and air conditioner/heat to make sure you are comfortable during your session.
THINGS TO NOTE
Structural integration can be sensational work. It can be intense and profound but there is no reason for it to be painful. We will work together to provide the right amount of tissue engagement to create productive change in your body.
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Sessions are best when experienced 1 to 2 weeks apart. There should be no more than 3 weeks between sessions. The work builds upon the last session and more than 3 weeks between session will require additional sessions.
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SESSION OPTIONS
Depending on your bodywork goals and needs there are different paths you can choose
SINGLE SESSION
A single session is for focusing on one specific issue or to get an idea of what structural integration is. This is perfect for someone curious about structural work and not ready to commit to a three or twelve series.
This is a good starting place but does not provide the most effective arc of work to allow for significant change. Restructuring the tissues and postural patterns that tend to hold discomfort and limited ability in the body requires a lot more time and detail.
THREES SERIES
The three series is meant to look efficiently at the forces effecting comfort and function in the body. This is a triage. There are two options for this series
1- One upper body session, one lower body session and one session focusing on breath, spinal alignment and integrating two halves of the body.
2- Three sessions addressing the superficial lines of fascia in the body. This path would set us up for easily continuing into a full 12 series.
TWELVE SERIES
The twelve series provides an in depth look at your structural system. It gives time to address all planes in the body, combing through and restructuring your relationship to your body. The first four sessions work through your superficial fascial lines, followed by four session focusing on the deep core fascial lines and finishing with four sessions to target integrating your tissue and postural relationship. There is significant attention to embodiment practices, gait assessment, breath accessibility and spinal pattern in this series.