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WHY STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION (SI)?
Structural Integration is a re-education of the body
through touch and movement. Your body is treated as an integrated whole.
Though you may be aware of tension or pain in only one area of your
body, there are significant compensations throughout your structure.
Manipulation of a small segment is seldom enough. The whole body must be
brought back into balance to effect permanent change and release. In the
broadest sense, Structural Integration uses the manipulative process to
awaken an inner sense of well-being.
Our bodies act as storage systems for the accumulated physical and
emotional events of our lives. Each injury, illness or emotional trauma
leaves an imprint in our structure. These imprints are in the myofascial
(connective tissue) network whose function is to support and connect
components of the body. The connective tissue bunches up to compensate
for torque and twists that occur; it gradually hardens, and literally
begins to stick to itself. The body pays a high price for this type of
internal resistance. Pain ensues, habit patterns develop, and the
individual learns to function with limited options in movement. The more
serious the trauma, the more deeply held is the compensation, often
becoming coupled with our basic personality structure.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING
A SESSION?
Structural Integration sessions generally last 1 to 1 1/4 hours. You
will wear your underwear during the session (women - bra and underpants
or 2 piece bathing suit; men - undershorts or swim trunks). At the
beginning of each session, the practitioner will observe how you stand
and move. The session itself is a series of manipulations accomplished
by the pressure of the practitioner’s hands, fingers, knuckles, and
elbows on your myofascial tissues. You may feel this as deep pressure,
an electrical sensation on the skin, or a variety of other sensations
during the process; however, these sensations pass shortly after the
pressure is released. The most dramatic feeling is a sense of increased
ease and lightness as the session progresses. During the sessions you
will be asked for active participation with certain body movements
intended to re-educate function.
HOW OFTEN
SHOULD I GET STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION?
The time between sessions depends on the rate of your body’s adaptation
to the changes from the work. Once a week for 10 weeks is the most
common pattern; however, it is more important to set the frequency
according to your own body rhythms, rather than abide by some rigid
scheduling. Some people take up to a year to complete the process.
WHAT
EXERCISES ARE APPROPRIATE BETWEEN SESSIONS?
There are no prescribed exercises associated with Structural
Integration. If you are already participating in a regular exercise
routine, pay attention to how your body is responding to those exercises
and change the program accordingly. Stretching, yoga, and loose, easy
exercises are the most compatible with Structural Integration. You will
probably be pleasantly surprised how SI improves sports performance.
WHAT CAN I
EXPECT TO FEEL BETWEEN SESSIONS?
The first few days after a session are usually the time of greatest
change. Somewhat like the first day after heavy exercise, you may feel a
bit sore the next day. After that you may experience ongoing shifts in
balance and awareness. Most people experience feelings of lightness and
improved comfort and ease of movement.
WHAT ABOUT TREATMENTS BY MY CHIROPRACTOR, OSTEOPATH, MASSAGE THERAPIST?
Other practitioners often refer people for SI when they recognize the
need for reorganizing a client’s myofascial structure. In the specific
case of chiropractic adjustments, most people report that that after SI,
adjustments they receive are easier to make and seem to last longer. No
other treatments are required, however, to complete Structural
Integration. While receiving SI, you may want to forgo other types of
bodywork so that you can observe the power of the SI sessions
separately.
TEN SESSIONS
– CAN IT POSSIBLY TAKE FEWER OR MORE?
The ten session format of Structural Integration is designed to work on
the whole body systematically to bring it to a higher level of balance.
WHAT IF I DON’T
COMPLETE THE SERIES?
The greatest benefits will be experienced by having the entire series.
However, whatever work you receive is complete in itself. Your body will
continue to adjust in response to that amount of work. Even when there
are significant time gaps between the beginning and end of a series,
there is little regression in the body.
WHY WON’T MY OLD HABITS JUST TAKE ME BACK INTO THE SAME FORM?
During your 10 sessions, you will acquire new ways of being - walking,
sitting, standing. It was poor movement patterns which got your
body off balance in the first place. As you acquire new
movement patterns, your body will be set on a new course The
closer to balance your body is, the more the body will naturally strive
for even higher symmetry and balance.
WHAT ABOUT PAIN?
Contrary to popular misconception, Structural Integration is not, and
should not be painful. Any discomfort in response to Structural
Integration pressure is an indication of the amount of chronic tension
stored in the tissues. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to
work within the level of tolerance of each client to accomplish the
goals of the work. Most clients are not concerned about discomfort
during the sessions. When the client’s level of tolerance is respected,
the practitioner and client can work together to achieve better results.
IS THERE ANYTHING
BEYOND THE BASIC SERIES?
The basic series is designed to make significant changes in the form and
balance of the body, but realistically it is not intended to be a one
time cure-all for body dysfunction. After a period of adjustment (three
months to one year or longer) it is possible to continue the process.
Tune-up sessions – after your initial 10 sessions, you may find that due
to new stresses and strains that you want some additional work that is
spaced at appropriate intervals designed to recover the level of balance
achieved in the basic series.
Advanced series – work grouped in 3-5 session series designed to use the
basic series as a template for a broader level of balancing and
integration.
First aid – individual sessions intended for help during the
recuperation period of an injury to minimize the long term effects on
structure and balance.
 
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