What is Structural Integration Massage?

Structural Integration works to balance and align the body’s structure until the entire system is a smoothly functioning coordinated whole. For example, the legs are aligned to the hips,  the body is positioned over the feet, and then all of these joints and related tissue are

integrated to one another. Some of the benefits people have experienced are reduced pain, increased flexibility, an enhanced sense of body awareness, and improved posture.

During the Structural Integration process changes in posture and structure are achieved by manipulating the body's myofascial system. The focus of Structural Integration is on the fascia rather than on the muscles (as in massage). The fascia is a protective layer of connective tissue that surrounds each muscle and muscle fiber. Fascia gives muscles and bodies their shape and support .

Structural Integration practitioners use a range of techniques to lengthen and reposition the fascia and the body. The amount of pressure used and techniques applied varies. Your practitioner may use slow, deep, stretching movements, or constant applied pressure. You may also be asked to move as pressure is applied or to stand and move during a session.

As tissue is being released, you may experience a variety of sensations ranging from warm and pleasant to uncomfortable. Your practitioner will apply appropriate pressure during the session based on your feedback so the pace of the session is under your control. Sometimes, as the tissue is released and balanced, clients experience the release of emotions, memories or traumas that have been stored in the fascial tissue. Such releases can create the opportunity for change and/or resolution surrounding the issues presented.

Movement education may also be a part of your Structural Integration series. Your practitioner can help you become aware of your habitual and inhibiting movement patterns and help you change these patterns to achieve more fluid movement. Movement education can affect your level of daily functioning by helping to change unhealthy patterns in common activities such as sitting, walking and breathing.

Structural Integration is typically performed in a series of ten to thirteen sessions to systematically release the myofascial tissue. Each session builds upon the last, addressing layers of tissue throughout the process. The series is designed to balance your body in segments, with each session addressing a different aspect of your structure and movement. Though the Structural Integration series is designed to work in sequence, your practitioner will often recognize your unique needs and use their skills and experience to address those appropriately.

At the beginning of a series, your practitioner will often spend some time discussing your health and personal history. It is important that your practitioner know any information that has affected your physical structure, including major accidents, traumas, surgeries, conditions and diseases as well as any current medications.

Typically, sessions are done with the client in shorts or a bathing suit. Your practitioner will observe you standing and moving to assess balance, alignment, mobility and movement patterns. In some cases, if appropriate, photographs may be taken for the benefit of you and your practitioner.

Have Unresolved Back or Shoulder Pain?

Structural Massage may be the answer. Proper functioning muscles are crucial for everything we do in life from sitting down in a chair to executing an intricate gymnastics

routine. Structural muscle re-education is a massage technique that is designed to restore proper muscle function and imbalances that result from injury and promotes the body’s ability to carry out these tasks. Structural massage tends to be a quicker, more permanent solution to a myriad of muscle and joint problems.  

The movement of every joint in the body is controlled and supported by many surrounding muscles.  Each of these muscles plays an important role in creating smooth biomechanical movements.    However, emotional, nutritional, and physical stresses or injuries can interrupt the neurological message from the brain that tells individual muscles to contract. As a result, one or more muscles are left unable to contract at their full potential. Surrounding muscles are forced to work overtime and the stability of the joint is compromised.  The body is then more prone to injuries, muscle spasms, pain, motion restrictions, etc.  These muscle and joint dysfunctions can also set the body up for a tendency to develop osteoarthritis. It may be surprising how many conditions muscle activation applies to. Structural massage may resolve headaches, TMJ pain, numbness, tingling, sciatica, and much more.

Your Structural Massage therapist will identify instabilities of the body through an initial assessment. After that, your therapist will create a plan to help you find relief.

There are a few individuals that take a little longer to respond to the treatment and may notice a difference in a few hours to a few days. Either way, the body can then start to heal. Whether you are a professional athlete, businessman, or stay at home mom; Structural massage may be the answer to help you get your life back. 

To schedule your Structural Massage session, contact us at Advanced Health Clinic 

Body Sense Summer

Did you know that  smartphones may be causing chronic symptoms such as “Smartphone Neck Syndrome” and “Blackberry Thumb,” and that massage can help.

Are you interested in discovering the important principles of proper stretching. 

If so, I encourage you to take a look at

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and discover the healing power of touch!