The 12 Series

Sports Physiotherapy & Structural Integration in Santa Barbara, CA

The Structural Integration 12 Series

This is a series of 12 sessions that focus on supporting a more efficient postural and movement repertoire. Using hands on techniques, sports physiotherapy, and structural integration to include specific positioning and basic movement correction, the sessions neutralize the balance of soft tissues that are holding twists, bends, tilts, tensions and compressions in the body. These imbalances can cause or contribute to fatigue, discomfort, pain, inhibited movement, injury and/or a general sense of unease. I practice Anatomy Trains Structural Integration (ATSI), which is one of the several variants of Structural Integration. The ATSI “recipe” of Structural Integration is based on the Anatomy Trains myofascial meridians.

What are the sessions like?

Each physiotherapy session begins with a brief check in regarding anything of note that may have come up since the last session, and a postural assessment. Postural assessments are important, as they help clarify my intent in terms of the strategy for the session. After this, we get into the manual therapy, which is done mostly on a massage table, and sometimes with you seated on a bench or standing. I will guide you in getting into specific positioning and active movements in order to make the work more advantageous for us both. Throughout the session, I’ll invite you to stand up, walk around and get a feel for the work every now and then. There will likely be another two or three postural assessments to make sure we are on the right track. You are free to explore and articulate any sensations or changes that you are experiencing, but that is not required. What is required is for you to be present and engaged in your own way so that you are included in the process. I don’t want to be working on you, but with you.

WHAT IS THE PROGRESSION OF THE 12 SERIES?

The series is designed to systematically reorganize your soft tissue system into one that is more supportive and adaptable for your lifestyle. As such, there is a progression where each session “builds upon” or evolves the previous one. Although there are 12 sessions, these can be broken up into three sub categories, as follows:

1. The first four sessions will work the superficial soft tissues of the front of the body, back of the body and sides of the body, from head to toe.

2. The second four sessions, #5 – 8, work the soft tissue structures that relate more to the deeper aspect (closer to the bone) of the body, starting from the feet, and ending at the neck and jaw. Whereas the first four session deal primarily more with movement restrictions, the second four sessions will deal more with postural restrictions. This is essential work that needs to be addressed in order to facilitate long term change, and it won’t hold if it isn’t proceeded by the first four sessions that work the superficial tissues.

3. The last four sessions, #9 – 12, serve as an anchor for the work accomplished in all of the previous sessions. There is a session to work the legs and pelvis, one to work the pelvis and torso, one to work on shoulder girdle and arms, and an ending session that ties it all together uniquely for whatever theme(s) were most important for your particular series.

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