Prior to starting the 1st session, we will spend some time discussing how your body is feeling currently, how it has felt in the past as well as the physical goals you would like to obtain from Structural Integration. We will discuss previous illness, current ailments, current and past treatments and the results of those treatments. We will also discuss major stress contributors as well as your overall sense of well-being and comfort in your own body.
Typical Session
A typical Structural Integration session begins with a short conversation about any changes that have occurred since the last treatment. We discuss the area of the body that will be focused on and I will answer any questions you have regarding the structural, functional and emotional goals for the session. All sessions include a visual assessment, bodywork, body awareness, movement education and mind-body dialogue. CAM’s (Client Assisted Movements) are a vital part of the session. You will need to perform some movements during the session that will allow the work to be more effective. Depending on the session, you will be asked to stand up multiple times so I can make a visual assessment of changes. Comfortable attire is necessary as occasionally I will ask you to walk in the hallway to visually assess your movement. You will also bring awareness to how the changes feel in your body.
Similar to a more traditional massage, SI work can be quite relaxing and have a grounding effect. Oils and lotions are not used as they do not allow for me to “hook in” to the tissue. The amount of pressure used depends on the elasticity of your fascia as well as the amount of change that we are trying to obtain. Overall, the pressure is pretty constant throughout each session although at times it may feel as if though the pressure has increased as pockets of adhered fascia start to slide and change in density. When this happens, the sensation can range from mild to quite intense. The intensity of the work should always stay within your comfort level and for this reason, your feedback is key during the session.
Structural Integration is not deep massage. Visualize it as a system that combines structured myofascial work, small aspects of massage, with a little bit of yoga, physical therapy and dialogue. The key is that SI generally produces noticeable change after only a couple of treatments. Each session builds upon the previous one. We don’t want to perform repetitive exercises and apply pressure to an area that hurts with minimal results. Those who have had 10-12 physical therapy treatments with little to no improvement know what I’m talking about. We look to obtain long-lasting changes in the tensegrity and overall structure of your body.