Feeling tight doesn’t necessarily come from muscular signals.
In fact, most massage therapists and bodyworkers who are experienced with years of practice will tell you that most of contraction comes from feeling connective tissue that is tight, adhered or twisted in the body. The connective tissue, being the material that holds everything together through its wrapping web, supports all the muscles, bones, and viscera down to the cellular level. It is responsible for length and freedom in the body or on the other side of the fence- containment and inflexibility. Feeling tight is a signal that your body needs attention. When aligned with healthier functioning in regards to gravity, Structural Integration can improve the quality of life quite a bit.
The connective tissue, called fascia, when in its optimal condition, is key to helping you to live a healthy life style as well as supporting a more centered, easily functioning way of Being.
Tight? Free your body into a more flowing, better organized structure.
Structural Integration, whose foundation is based on the work of Dr. Ida Rolf, is founded on a 10 series where a massage therapist will work with the whole body based on a formula of moving from superficial sleeve work down into the deeper core as each session progresses. The approach is unique in each session with the recipe, and also determined by how your body speaks to the practitioner.
The work can be done with a lighter touch, or a more deep penetrating version of Structural Integration.
What I have found through the years, it that for the best results, the bodyworker needs to listen to the body, but also to the verbal dialogue if something feels uncomfortable. Sometimes patterns need to be rustled a bit, and at other times, the body release much more when it loses its need to defend or fight against the intrusion. In the long run, the best work is something that can be integrated, and that means the giver and receiver are in a peaceful relationship during the session.
There are a few well known schools for Structural Integration. As the work evolves, new techniques and different approaches develop. If you are looking for the best local SI practitioner, you can look up schools such as the Rolf Institute or the Guild, but what is most important is that you resonate with the practitioner who will hold space for you release and open up to your fullest potential. Interview- get your questions answered. After all, this is something that can change your life for the better when lying down into the right hands!
For a free 15 minute phone consultation, call Sharon Hartnett LMT 614 372-6598.
Columbus, Ohio