MedicinEvolution : Bodywork Beyond Massage

Each type of tissue dysfunction requires a precise and specialized knowledge of therapeutics or often a blend of techniques to affect balanced change and healthy restoration.

Connection Theory

Many problems that affect muscles aren’t resolved by working on the muscles alone. The protective connective tissue sheaths around muscles, called fascia, often become stuck and glued to adjacent sheaths and inhibit movement of the muscles, structures, and organs within. The release of adhesion in fascia requires experience, knowledge of its layers, and properly guided touch. Internationally renown therapists and scientists collaborate to share research, understand, and verify findings in the field of fascia. At MedicinEvolution we specialize in the fascial bodywork techniques of Structural Integration and Bowen Therapy.

What is Structural Integration?

Structural Integration is more than deep tissue massage. It is a systematic method of bodywork intended to guide connective tissues to support the body in gravity through a series of 10-sessions. It is an effective approach to deal with the ill-results of accidents, injuries, surgeries, neck, back and joint pain, poor posture, chronic tension, and the ill effects of emotions. By using a combination of manual medicine techniques the body becomes aligned and balanced. Connective tissue tension is eased, muscles lengthen, the nervous system is released of its chronic “charge,” joints move with freedom and balance, and the body regains its innate vertical alignment. The experience of Structural Integration is lightness, ease, and physical and mental clarity. It is invaluable in helping you to refine your practice or performance in such things as martial arts, yoga, work, and sports.

What Is The Process of Structural Integration?

The process begins with a free consultation. We listen to your needs, your history, and what you want to accomplish. Then, we begin the 10-sessions, each session lasts 1 -1 ½ hours. Each session differs from the last, and sessions are generally spaced one week apart.

The Ten-Sessions in short:

• Session 1 Freedom and Expansion: The spine, pelvis, and rib cage are aligned and free. Breath capacity is increased and core structures mobilized.
• Session 2 Support and Length: Foot arches and the function of the lower legs are restored. As a result, the back can come out of compression and experience length and optimal potential without effort.
• Session 3 The Third Dimension: Both shoulder and pelvic girdles are free from the body and the body’s lateral line gains ease, length, and lightness.
• Session 4 Core Freedom: The inner legs lengthen and the pelvic floor is balanced. The inner legs are almost always in constant contraction, a detriment to a healthy core.
• Session 5 Core Function: The psoas connects the spine to the legs, it is the deepest muscle of the body and most important to structural integrity. In this session the psoas is restored and vital nerve centers that run through it rejuvenated.
• Session 6 Sacral Motion: Movement is restored to the critical junction of the hips and spine by restoring freedom of the sacrum.
• Session 7 The Cranial Core: The head, neck, and shoulders are free from deep, long held contractions.
• Sessions 8 and 9 Refining Functional Lines: These sessions connect planes of connective tissues and relate the limbs to the body so that movements and functions are smooth, easy, and integrated.
• Session 10 Sound Structure Functional Integration: This sessions is experienced as physical clarity and wholeness. Fascial planes are free to glide over each other and the body uses gravity as a healthy reference point rather than an opposition.

What Is Bowen Therapy?

Bowen Therapy uses a series of soft tissue moves performed over muscles, tendons and ligaments which activates a parasympathetic, or “relax and renew”, nervous system response. The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of the nervous system “responsible for the body’s ability to recuperate and return to a balanced state after experiencing pain or stress.” As tensions and stress are released, the body’s innate healing capacity is triggered to naturally reset and heal itself.

How Does Bowen Therapy Work?

Bowen therapy triggers the dynamic relationship between muscles and the nervous system. By challenging muscles at points rich with nerves, and stimulating muscles, a message is sent to the brain. No specific instruction is sent to the brain, such as to contract or extend, however, the muscle does send a message that it is “being challenged.”

When an unspecific message is sent to the brain, it sends back a default message to that muscle, which resets that muscle back into its natural resting length. A muscle that has been stretched will contract and a muscle that has been contracted will relax. Often, when there is a contracted muscle there is nerve impingement as well, and when the muscle is released so is the nerve.

Manual Medicine Techniques

• Joint Mobilization – Our joints are busy intersections, dynamic, susceptible to congestion, and in need of repair. We help you to understand how your body’s anatomy works best, and use a combination of movement and guided manipulation to restore optimal joint function.
• Neuro-muscular Repatterning – We work to reset ideal neurological patterns and relationships. I hold specific tissues or bones in an ideal position and call for your movement, this trains your body to reestablish healthier neuro-muscular function. Gentle and effective techniques restore the appropriate resting length of muscles and soft tissues and restores optimal movement patterns.
• Guided Manipulation – Manual medicine is about restoring muscle function by restoring healthy muscle structure. Relaxation techniques don’t cover the many benefits that lie hibernating within the potential of tight fascia.
• Neuromuscluar Proprioception – Individually tailored exercises in the form of movement, stretches, or awareness techniques will enhance the results of your session.
• Gua Sha – Gua Sha is used in areas of the body where there is pain, restrictions in connective tissues, underlying organs are affected, or energies and fluids are stagnated. This Traditional Chinese Medicine technique releases adhesions in connective tissues in addition to moving deep stagnated blood to the surface.
• Cupping – Cupping offers negative pressure to connective tissues through suction cups on the skin as opposed to the standard use of compression that most type of bodyworks provide. The benefits of cupping range from releasing connective tissues to creating an internal environment for healthy fluid flow.

In pain, don’t hesitate to call (925) 551-4949 for a free consultation or to schedule an appointment with Chris.

Bio

At 21 years old, after growing up with asthma and experiencing little to no help from “traditional” medicine, and sustaining a number of injuries from training and competing internationally in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Chris was introduced to Structural Integration. After only a few sessions, a shoulder injury, remnants of a sprained ankle, chronic low back pain, neck pain, and surprisingly his asthma were all transformed. The results of Structural Integration were dramatically different from other types of bodywork he had experienced, this time the changes were tangible and lasting. This life altering experience became his focus and passion.

In 1996, Chris completed the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine’s massage certification in San Diego, CA. In 1998 he graduated from the world famous Guild for Structural Integration in Boulder, CO. and has maintained a private practice since.