Structural Integration
HOW CAN STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION HELP ME?
Structural Integration is ideal for those who have chronic pain, reduced movement or mobility through the body, or areas of general tension that create discomfort. It is aimed at finding the cause of the problem, so you may find that during treatment the focus may be on an area that is different to where you are experiencing pain or tension. You may also be given movement cues and suggestions to take home with you to help integrate the changes that occur with each session.
Structural Integration can help with:
Chronic tension, stress or pain due to poor posture
Issues related to sitting at a desk all day
Limited or restricted movement during exercise and training
Tension or limited movement caused by repetitive strain or tasks
Improving athletic performance
Mood, mental health and stress
Creating more body awareness and ease of movement
Structural Integration focuses on releasing restrictions in the fascia of the body. By easing the restrictions and adhesions in the fascia, your body will start to move differently – you may feel a sense of more space, or even just become more aware of parts of your body that you didn’t realize were not moving freely. You may feel more connected to your body and find new ways to move. It creates ease of movement, reduces pain, and improves posture.
Frequently Asked Questions about SI
WHAT IS FASCIA?
Fascia connects the whole body, covering every organ, muscle fibre and bone, continuing right down to arteries, veins and nerves.
Since the whole body is connected, it makes sense that tension in one part of the body can have a profound effect on other areas of the body.
A good way to imagine how it works is this: grab the bottom corner of the front of your t-shirt, and scrunch it up in one hand. Now observe what happens to the rest of the t-shirt. Can you see or feel the pull in other areas? This is a great way to imagine how a fascial restriction in the hip could be creating tension in the opposite shoulder.
The work aims to identify and release postural and movement patterns that may be contributing to chronic pain, restricted movement and tension. The sessions help to bring the body back into balance, creating more space, awareness and ease of movement.
HOW DOES STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION DIFFER TO MASSAGE?
There are a number of ways that Structural Integration differs to massage, but the main difference is that it is a more collaborative approach between client and practitioner.
During the session, your posture and movement will be assessed - not only at the start of the appointment, but you will be regularly re-assessed throughout the session. You will be asked to move and feel the work being done, to help create more awareness of your body, its posture, and how it moves.
Compared to massage, the draping is minimal, and so clients are advised to wear comfortable shorts or underwear, and women are advised to wear a sports bra or two piece bathers.
Some of the work may be done while seated rather than lying on the table, and throughout the session you will be asked to walk and/or move to integrate the work.
THE 12 SERIES
The SI 12 Series is ideal for those with long term and chronic pain, tension or postural problems. The series is designed to progressively unwind old posture and movement patterns, build a strong base of support and provide balance through the whole body. The aim is to provide you with long lasting and progressive change.
The series involves working through 12 sessions, in a specific order.
The first four sessions aimed to free the superficial tissues, or the outer “sleeve”, on the front, back, sides and spiraling around the body, building support from the feet, freeing the breath through the chest, and lifting the shoulders away from the trunk.
The middle four sessions go deeper into the core of the body, working through the stabilization muscles closer to the spine, providing support from within.
The final four sessions integrate the core and the outer sleeve, improving posture and coordination and creating new habitual movements to take with you after the series ends.
In a nutshell, we work from out, to in, then tie everything back together.
THE 3 SERIES
The 3 Series is a great introductory program as it works through the body in a series of 3 sessions. The first session starts with the feet and legs to create grounding and support from underneath you, with the second session following on with the upper body and arms. The final session completes the series by balancing the spine, neck and head. The series is done in such a way to provide you with grounding, support and balance – you cannot have one without the others!
Whether the 3 Series or 12 Series is more appropriate for you will be different for everyone, and if you feel either series might be good for you we can discuss this at your appointment.
