Anatomy Trains Structural Bodywork using Myofascial Techniques 3 Session Series 

What is Anatomy Trains 3 Session Series Structural Bodywork?

With the use of fascial release techniques, Structural Bodywork addresses the relationships and constrictions of fascia tissue in the body. Unlike massage, which looks to reduce short term pain by addressing your symptoms, Structural Bodywork looks to reduce chronic postural irregularities for the long term.

This therapy begins to open the fascia tissue that is causing restrictions in movement in order to ease posture and as a result, reduce pain. The work may not necessarily be at the location of your pain as that location may be a symptom to what else is presenting in your structure.

The treatment is a 3 session mini project done over the course of 3 weeks.
Session 1 addresses your lower body, the pillars of your structure, to build an even foundation for your upper body to rest on.
Session 2 addresses the upper body – we look to balance the heavy shoulder girdle on the rib cage and increase breath.
Session 3 focuses on balancing the spine and neck and tying the two halves together to complete your structure.

Your posture has changed over time. Your commitment to the 3 sessions is necessary to achieve results even if you are not experiencing pain in one half or the other. The 3 Series is a great way to experience Structural Bodywork for the first time and to get some quick results.

What is fascia?

Fascia wraps around muscle tissue like a sleeve and shapes around groups of muscles whether they are lengthening or shortening. But, if muscles stay in one state or the other for too long due an injury, emotional experiences, repetitive strain, lack of tone, or just shaping our bodies around objects such as computers, then fascia conforms to that shortened or lengthened state, pulling on several other muscles and joints. As a result, changing ones posture over time, making stretching and movement restrictive. Unfortunately, resulting in chronic pain and possible injury.

What is involved in a Structural Bodywork treatment?

During the first session, the therapist will complete an extensive medical and lifestyle interview as well as observe and assess your body in gravity. Some tests may be done to clarify some patterns you exhibit.

A study of your structure in the second and third session is necessary to observe changes and to plan the treatment for that session. We will also discuss what is happening for you in between your treatments.

After the structural assessment, you and the therapist will collaboratively work together on a treatment table, in standing position, and upright on a bench to achieve the desired goals. You will be asked to slowly and gently move through some of the techniques performed by the therapist. We will be opening up the tissue that has been locked for a long time; often in areas that have never been addressed before. We will be looking for a sensational release which is completely in your control. The release of emotional and biomechanical restrictions are necessary to achieve change.

Due to your active participation in the treatment, you won’t be able to sleep or chat throughout. But rest assured, you won’t be expected to do abdominal crunches or lift weights either.

What to wear to your appointment?

For your comfort, please come dressed in bra/underwear, bikini/swim trunks, or shoulder strapped sport bra/lined short shorts. Something that keeps you comfortably covered. Crisscrossing straps, racer backs, long shorts, one piece bodysuits, or coming without undergarments will inhibit the therapy. Your undergarments are safe as the therapist uses water and not oil for therapy. The entire appointment will be in these clothes.

After each session

Take it easy. Relax and enjoy the day as your body responds to the therapy. It’s more common to feel balanced, open, and a sense of ease than to feel residual soreness. After the sessions are complete, your body will continue to respond to the therapy.

Booking your 3 sessions

Each session is once a week for 90 minutes. As a commitment to getting the best results for your bodywork and to ensure you get optimal appointments, we ask that all 3 sessions are scheduled when you call to book.  The sessions are performed by an RMT and are covered under your massage benefit plan.

About the Structural Bodywork Therapist – Jennifer De Clercq RMT

My  journey to correct my own posture began early in 2017. People, both in my professional and personal circle were expressing concern for my body structure. I was receiving various forms of chiropractic and massage treatments but not getting long lasting, definitive change.

Eight months later, in hopes of correcting my posture, I hired a personal trainer, cleaned up my diet, lost 30 lbs, built muscle, and learned some new stretches. But after 18 months, much to my frustration, my posture remained strained, gimpy, and crooked.

At the same time, I was searching for a new modality to add to my 14 year career in massage therapy. My research stumbled upon the Anatomy Trains Structural Integration certification led by Thomas Myers. I was intrigued after learning how this technique addresses postural deficiencies. It was a perfect fit for my own personal mission and where I wanted to direct my career to help others get back to a pain free body with an efficient posture and healthy living. I look forward to graduating from the program in June 2020 when I will be able to offer a 12 session Structural Integration treatment.

Now, after undergoing the 12 Series Structural Integration treatments myself and experiencing the life altering results, this is, without a doubt, the best solution to our postural pain that we, as humans continue to endure.

 

For appointments, call our Jennifer at (403) 299-0173