Structural Integration
The design of Anatomy Trains Structural Integration (ATSI) is to unwind the strain patterns residing in your body, restoring it to its natural balance and alignment. Common strain patterns come from inefficient movement habits, and our body's response to poorly designed cars, desks, telephones etc. Individual strain patterns come from imitation when we are young, from the invasions of injury, surgery or birth, and from our body's response to traumatic episodes. Beginning as a simple gesture of response, movements can become a neuromuscular habit. The habitual movement forms your posture, and your posture requires changes in the structure - the body's connective tissue fabric. These changes pull us out of alignment and the body compensates with increased tension patterns. ATSI is designed to unwind this process and reduce structural stress.
Structural Integration is beneficial in a wide range of situations, ranging from improved natural alignment, easing of myofascial pain and restrictions, improved movement, achieving somato-emotional balance, better awareness and understanding of how your body moves and how it compensates in times of stress or injury.
Overall, Structural Integration aims to make you feel more 'at home' in your body.
Visceral Integration
Visceral Integration is the process of integrating the visceral system with the rest of the body.
Based on Visceral Manipulation as has been developed by the French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral, this complements Structural Integration. Structural Integration is traditionally concerned with fascial restrictions in relation to our musculoskeletal system. Organs are fascially connected to our musculoskeletal system, and restrictions in this connections can influence our range of movement and pain experience.
Adding Visceral and Structural Integration together brings more depth and effectiveness to the sessions.
Clinical Fascial Therapy & Scar Tissue Release
A combination of therapeutic massage
techniques including myofascial release, visceral and neural manipulation to relieve tension & pain, restore function & mobility. (Also suitable during pregnancy)
Could it be scar tissue that is limiting your movement or causing pain? Scars can behave like icebergs, forming connections or adhesions through the fascia away from the actual scar, taking years to develop. Scar tissue release aims at releasing the scar and its connections and adhesions, a scar is never too old or too small to work with.
Pain Management
Many people are suffering from persistent, or chronic pain, and are looking for an effective way to find relief from pain. When we are talking about persistent pain, we mean the type of pain that sticks around after a period of 3 to 6 months or longer. Often there is not a clear answer to why the pain is still there, and often investigations in what is going on, are not giving any clear answers.
There are so many treatment options out there that it is sometimes difficult to see the wood for the trees. What works for one person does not necessarily works for everyone, and this can be difficult and frustrating if you are trying to figure out what can be useful for managing your pain.
Structural Integration (SI) is one of these options, and can be useful for managing persistent pain. It is an alternative therapy and can be used alongside more conventional treatment options. As part of my Pain Management studies I have created an evidence-based information resource on Structural Integration for Persistent pain. Aiming to provide you with the information needed to decide if this is the right way forward for you.