M.Tam Massage Therapy & Structural Inegration

This particular style of structural integration is influenced heavily by the Kinesis Myofascial Integration (KMI) school in Maine, USA. There are a small number of structural integration schools around the world that likely have various philosophies, strategies and approaches to the body. You are encouraged to educate yourselves and research which may be most beneficial for you.

Although the focus will vary from session to session, all treatments will usually involve some shoulder and neck work and start with superficial structures first, then head into deeper compartments of the body.

The first four sessions begin with the superficial layers of the body. The fifth to eighth sessions dive into the body’s core support systems, and the last four sessions integrate the previous eight sessions together. In other words, the legs, feet and lower body are dealt with first, then the arms, shoulders and torso, and then the connection between them (the spine, head and neck).

Note: The underlined words in the descriptions below follow the idea of Anatomy Trains put forwards by Thomas Myers (2009). Click here for more information.

Session 1 – Superficial Front Line (SFL) and Superficial/Deep Front Arm Lines (SFAL/DFAL)

• Postural analysis and initial photos for ending comparison (optional)
• Introduction to fascial work
• Increasing the volume of breath through work on the abdomen, ribs and chest
• Opening the front of the arms and shoulder
• Focusing on the front of the ankle, chest and neck regions

Session 2 – Superficial Back Line (SBL) and Superficial/Deep Back Arm Lines (SBAL/DBAL)

• Postural analysis
• Heading into deeper structures and balancing the curves on the back of the body
• Decreasing the tone of the back musculature
• Allowing the client the become more aware of their legs and feet
• Focusing on the arches of the foot, legs, back and neck

Session 3 – Lateral Lines (LL)

• Postural analysis
• Lengthening and/or spreading the sides of the body to allow a more expansive breath
• Working on the body’s core stability
• Focusing on the sides of the shin, thigh/ITband, ribs, lower back and neck

Session 4 – Spiral Lines (SPL)

• Postural analysis
• Working on any superficial rotations seen in the body
• Balancing the arches of the feet, shoulder blades and surrounding regions
• Finishing any work on arms if necessary
• Focus on the lower leg and foot, shoulder blade complex and torso

Session 5 – Lower Deep Front Line (DFL) and Lateral Line (LL)

• Postural analysis
• Building a support system for the inner portions of the leg
• Releasing some pelvic structures approaching from below
• Focusing on the entire inner leg and deep hip flexor attachments

Session 6 – Middle Deep Front Line (DFL) and Front Arm Lines (SFAL/DFAL)

• Postural analysis
• Building a support system for the lower back
• Balancing between the pelvic floor and the psoas to the diaphragm and respiratory structures
• Focusing on the psoas (image here), diaphragm, spine and organ attachment

Session 7 – Lower Deep Back Line (DBL)

• Postural analysis
• Aligning the bony structures in the back-half of the body
• Decreasing bends and rotations of the spine
• Freeing the bottom of the spine from surrounding regions
• Focusing from the back of heel to mid-back, especially the flutes, pelvic floor and deep spinal musculature

Session 8 – Upper Deep Front and Superficial Back Lines (DFL/SBL)

• Postural analysis
• Encouraging the head to sit above the ribcage and at the top of the body
• Focusing on the jaw, neck, throat, and deep neck musculature

Session 9 – (Refer to session 1 of the 3-series)

• Postural analysis
• Promoting the balance and movement of the 7 anatomy trains that mingle through the lower body (pelvis and legs)
• Focus is on walking and the support of the pelvis

Session 10 – (Refer to session 2 of the 3-series)

• Postural analysis
• Promoting the balance and movement of the 11 anatomy trains that interface through and around the ribcage
• Focus is put on breathing and functional movement of the trunk and torso

Session 11

• Postural analysis
• Integrating the 4 lines that unite the arm and shoulder blade
• Focusing on the balance and movement of the arms

Session 12 – (Refer to session 3 of the 3-series)

• Postural analysis
• Promoting the balance and movement of the deep spinal musculature and entire body
• Focus on spinal movement
• Ending photos for personal comparisons (optional)