M.Tam Massage Therapy & Structural Inegration

If you are tired of always complaining about the same physical problem, structural integration is for you. If you want to learn about your body and how things are connected and related to each other, this is for you. If you want to increase your ease, efficiency, power and flow of movement, structural integration can help you achieve those things. SI is NOT for you if you are pregnant, or are close to a major athletic tournament/competition (6 months). Come back in your off-season, or for post-natal services!

Put aside 90 minutes for each session. A detailed interview about your health history and physical habits will occur before your first treatment. There may be less hands-on time for your first session in order to answer any and all questions regarding structural integration as well as discuss your goals for the series.

Because the treatment will be mainly focused on fascia (for a better description of fascia, click here), the treatment will be most effective if your skin is readily accessible. Please be prepared to be in one of the following: underwear and bra, a two-piece bathing suit, shorter boxer briefs or running split-shorts.
Unlike a traditional massage therapy treatment, more movement will be employed during structural bodywork, whether by getting up and moving on and off the table several times during the treatment, or for the duration of a technique application. Please contact your SI practitioner in advance if you have any particular questions regarding clothing options during your session.

3-series: Ideally a week in between, but every-2 weeks or once a month is acceptable, albeit not ideal.

12-series:

• Sessions 1-4: All four sessions can be done within one week, or one week apart.  This is because each session focuses on a different part of the body.
• Sessions 5-8: They should be done a week apart.
• Sessions 9-12: Can be done a week or 2-3 weeks apart.
  – If you have one session per week, the 12-series will be completed in approximately 3 months.

After each series, an allotment of time (varying between a month to a year) is used to observe how the body has integrated change into their body.  Each person has a unique experience, but after a waiting period, a tune-up session, or advanced series may be desired or necessary to further the integration process or work on new/specific goals.

Note: The closer your sessions, the more enhanced your results will be. On the other hand, if you space them out, you can see how the changes integrate into your daily life and what areas need additional focus over time.

The process of changing and stretching the shape of fascia can vary widely between different parts of your body as well as from person to person. Although the process of changing chronic patterns in your body may feel uncomfortable, the discomfort is temporary. Often, once you get off the table, you will feel lighter and more aware of your body. Many people have difficultly putting to words and explaining the new-ness that is experienced after a structural integration session.

It is extremely important to communicate your questions, hesitations, goals, thoughts and feelings when regarding your treatment. There are many nerves and blood vessels imbedded within the myofascia and experiencing a burning sensation would be considered normal, although not always necessary. Although we hope to challenge and come towards your pain/pressure tolerance level, going past your pain threshold is not our objective. It is important to remember that feedback is encouraged and essential during your treatment!

It may be sore, but it is always possible for the practitioner to decrease the pressure or slow down their movement. You are encouraged to ask as many questions about the work being done, what is being worked on, why it is being worked on, and give feedback in regards to any discomfort you may feel during the course of treatment. Your question/concern/comment/criticism is important, and we will do our best to adjust to your preferences (ie. even the temperature in room, depth, area being worked, sensations, draping, etc.). You can stop the treatment at any time.

Depending on how complex your patterns are, it may take a bit of time to unwind all the structures involved or reach all of your compensation patterns that developed as a result. More often than not, the deeper the structure and the longer it has been that way, the shorter the effects will last. Ideally, if you do your self-care, and fix the root causes that are leading to your discomfort (eg. crossing your legs, standing with your hip to one side, twisting to a secondary computer monitor constantly etc.), the impact of SI treatments will last longer. If you continue to place your body in the same/static positions, it is less likely the results will be long lasting. A particular stressful life event or situation may re-aggravate your symptoms. Your body’s ability to hold change is based on age, hydration levels, tissue type and tissue conditions.

For a more detailed break-down of what we will be working on during each session of the 3-series, click here. For the 12-series, click here.

The 12-series is a more comprehensive series that will be more detailed and clearly give more time for concerns and goals. While the 3-series will fulfil certain objectives, the 12-series will accomplish more. Each session of the 12-series deals with a specific part of your body in order to most thoroughly impact your structure. The 3-series lumps the lower body into one session, the upper body in another, and the spine in the last one. Your choice should be based on your needs and intentions.

Although it is possible that you may achieve all your goals within 3-sessions it can also be utilized as a follow-up tool after completion of the 12-series several months-years down the road. Note that some persons with long-term problems may need more than 12-sessions. Speak with your therapist to communicate your ideas, goals and concerns. Together you can discuss a plan of action that will hopefully satisfy your needs.

No. It would be best to approach SI as a personal health project with a beginning, middle and ending. It is not designed as ongoing therapy. The effect of structural integration can last up to several years. However, if major changes occur in one’s life (such as a trauma, major injury, pregnancy and labour), you may feel as though going through another series may be beneficial.

Sessions: The sessions’ results are cumulative.  Each session builds on the previous one.  You cannot skip sessions.
Self-care:  Trying to follow through on exercises given to you during/after your treatment.
Physically: Being hydrated.  Some equations say to drink half of your body weight (lbs), in ounces.  (eg.  You weigh 200 lbs.  Drink 100 ounces of water per day)  http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/09/13/the-truth-about-how-much-water-you-should-really-drink  (Ounces to Litres Calculator: http://www.convertunits.com/from/ounces/to/litre)
Mentally/Emotionally: Being and open to growth, new sensations and experiences.

Typical massage therapy treatments use oil, cream or a gliding lubricant to impact the muscles of the body. SI uses wax, water or nothing at all, in a fashion that is designed to catch one’s skin/fascia. Often in SI you will get off the table, walk, stand sit or move during the treatment. In most massages the client is stationary 90-100% of the time. Many clients will completely disrobe for a massage. Keeping your undergarments on is standard for the duration of an SI treatment. Both utilize a massage table, but SI frequently utilizes a bench for seated work.

Structural sessions can be billed under Registered Massage Therapy benefits. An insurance number will be provided to you on your receipt after your treatment. You may need a doctors note prior to claiming with your insurance company. Check your plan/insurance company for additional details.

Yes, for the following insurance companies: Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan, Cowan Insurance Group (managed by Express Scripts Canada), Desjardins Insurance, Great-West Life, Industrial Alliance, Johnson Inc., Manulife Financial, Maximum Benefit or Johnston Group, Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada and Sun Life Financial

Note: You must bring in your insurance card/spouse card to your visit as well as details of your massage benefits for that year.

Yes. An HST number will be provided to you on your receipt for your tax purposes.

Each person is unique in the types of patterns in their body, and what activities/stressors were used to put them there (ie. computer work, driving, holding a baby, sports, injury etc.). Because of each person’s specific needs, each treatment is tailored specifically for their body (ie. techniques, pressure, focus area). Therefore, each person will respond differently to each treatment. Generally, a perception of lightness and an ease in movement is felt. Some feel a stronger mind-body connection and an increased awareness of their posture.

It is possible that some soreness may develop between several hours to the day following your treatment, however, it is our hope that how you felt when you first got off the table will be the lasting result. Dull achy pain (similar to a post-workout feeling) or a bruising-like discomfort is normal for up to 72 hours after the treatment. Structures may take a bit of time to reorganize themselves as your body readjusts itself to a new equilibrium. Please contact your practitioner if symptoms do not resolve within 3-4 days, or if you experience any sharp pains.

As your body reorganizes itself and finds a new balance, it is possible that some movement patterns will seem strange. Whether it is sitting, walking, jumping or throwing a ball, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t feel like how it normally does. It would not be unusual to feel novel physical and/or emotional sensations and feelings in places that you never previously paid attention to in your body/mind. Journaling or noting these may be useful.

Drink plenty of water and give yourself time to rest and relax. Although you may feel full of energy, do NOT throw yourself into an activity that is outside your normal routine (ie. running 25 miles when you normally run 10 miles, or participating in a pick-up-basketball game when you haven’t played since high school). Your body’s neural and connective tissues have been bombarded with numerous messages and signals, and it will take time to sort out which ones it wants to keep, and which ones it wants to throw away. During this time, just enjoy the process!