Anatomy Trains Myofascial Release / Structural Integration

Anatomy Trains (Tom Myers) inspired bodywork provides structural balance to the myofascial meridians. Our therapists provide expert analysis and treatments based on your presenting symptoms and postural patterns.

Anatomy Trains Structural Integration springs from the pioneering work of Dr Ida P Rolf, as developed, by Thomas Myers. This form of manual therapy consists of a multi-session protocol of deep, slow fascial and myofascial manipulation, coupled with movement re-education. The ATSI ‘brand’ of structural integration concentrates on doing deep, lasting, and significant work, with anatomical precision, blended with movement and sensitivity.

The myofascial bodywork is based around the “Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians “  which are explored in the book written by Thomas Myers. The design of Myofascial release is to unwind the strain patterns residing in your body’s locomotor system, restoring it to its natural balance, alignment, length, and ease.

Common strain patterns come about from inefficient movement habits, and our body’s response to poorly designed cars, desks, telephones, and airplanes, etc. Individual strain patterns come from imitation when we are young, from the invasions of injury or surgery or birth, and from our body’s response to traumatic episodes.

Beginning as a simple gesture of response, movements can become a neuromuscular habit. The habitual movement forms one’s posture, and the posture requires changes in the structure – the body’s connective tissue ‘fabric’. In other words, a gesture becomes a habit becomes a posture and eventually lodges in our structure. These changes are rarely for the better – anything that pulls us out of alignment means that gravity works on pulling us into more misalignment or increased tension to counteract the force. Compensation begets compensation, and more symptoms. Myofascial release is designed to unwind this process and reduce structural stress.

The method depends on a unique property of the body’s connective tissue network. Connective tissue is a remarkably versatile bit of biology. It forms every supportive tissue from the fluid blood to the solid bone, and a host of sheets, straps, and slings in between. The muscular tissue moves us around, but it works through the connective tissue fascia, tendons, and the ligaments at every turn, and it is the connective tissue complex that holds us in the shape we are in. When we are injured or stressed, no matter what the source, there is a neuromuscular response – usually involving some combination of contraction, retraction, immobility, and often rotation. These patterns put some muscles under strain (where they develop painful trigger points) and also pulls at this fascial fabric, requiring it to shift, thicken, glue itself to surrounding structures, and otherwise compensate for the excess sustained muscular holding.

 Freeing and repositioning the fascial fabric, along with re-integrating the movement patterns so that they stay easily in their proper positioning, is the job of Myofascial bodywork. In this sense, Myofascial release could be seen as a companion to osteopathic or chiropractic care, but instead of thrusting the bones back into place, we adjust the fascial ‘guywires’ so that they stay in place – the new alignment simply becomes part of who you are, not something you have to work at or repeatedly see a practitioner to maintain.

Before & After Photos

Before After
Before After

Free Physio Advice

Request a free 10 min telehealth consultation with one of our physios using our online booking portal.