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Kinesis Myo-Fascial Integration - Structural Integration - Overview
After 8 years of experience and study and search,
I have found KMI Structural Integration (AKA Rolfing)to be the
#1 modality to achieve physical health and wellbeing. I have been
a Registered Massage therapist, Physical Therapist, Wholistic
Nutritionist and studied a number of therapies and by far, Structural
integration for myself and my clients achieves the most results.
Clients have reported feeling younger, more comfortable in their
skin, decrease or elimination of chronic pain, Renewed Emotional
balance and to many others to name. Hands down, Structural integration
Works!
KMI (Kinesis Myofascial Integration) Structural
Integration was developed by Thomas Myers from the pioneering
work of Dr Ida P Rolf and Rolfing. and is based around the Anatomy
Trains Myofascial Meridians. Consisting of a multi-session
protocol (usually 3 or 12 session) KMI's goal is to unwind the
strain patterns, that are residing in your body, restoring it
to its natural balance, alignment, length, and ease. By using
deep, slow, fascial and myofascial manipulation, coupled with
movement re-education, KMI can achieve a deeper, longer lasting
significant change.
When we are injured or stressed, no matter what
the source of the stress, there is a neuro-muscular response –
usually involving some combination of contraction, retraction,
immobility, and often rotation. These patterns put some muscles
under strain (so that they develop painful trigger points) and
also pulls at the fascial fabric, requiring it to shift, thicken,
glue itself to surrounding structures, and otherwise compensate
for the excess sustained muscular holding. Especially when there
are chronic and long-held patterns, it is not enough to simply
release the muscular holding, even though that is definitely a
good start. Freeing and repositioning the fascial fabric, along
with re-integration of the movement patterns so that they stay
easily in their proper positioning, is the aim of KMI.
What to expect from each KMI Structural
Integration session
The KMI process begins with a fairly extensive
interview about your history and current habits. Most KMI
sessions are done in underwear or a bathing suit, Your practitioner
will usually want to observe you standing
and walking before the sessions start, to assess your current
structural patterns. There is the option to take photos in order
to create a visual record of the ‘before’ and ‘after’
for both you and the practitioner, since there can be
visible changes in your shape and how you feel.
The KMI work itself is done on a treatment table,
or for certain moves on a specialized bench. The
practitioner will use his fingers, hands or forearm to contact
certain tissues, and then ask you to move in specific
ways while these tissues are opened and repositioned.
The process of opening our myofascial tissues can
be ‘sensation-ful’’: involving feelings of stretch,
or
perhaps some burning, as in yoga stretch or when exercising long
unused muscles. The level of this sensation
is in your control, and entirely up to you. Pain, if the sensation
gets that far, should be short and bearable.
Please converse with your practitioner to find the right level
of depth for you that allows the maximum value
from each session consistent with your comfort and acceptance.
The idea is to achieve a balanced body that is
pain-free. You may have to feel some of the stored pain as it
is released from your body, especially in
traumatized areas.
Traumatized tissue can also contain emotional pain.
Although we are not practicing psychologists, your KMI
practitioner has been trained to sensitively work with you around
these releases as they relate to your body
structure. Again, feel free to work with your practitioner to
find the right level of work for you. Emotional feelings
related to the work may come up during the sessions or between
them.
Each KMI session deals with a different fascial
plane or set of relationships in the body, progressively
working around the body and from superficial to deep and back
again. Your practitioner may not work where
you are reporting the symptoms, as the patterns that feed that
problem are body-wide. A whiplash, for instance,
is a problem of the neck for some days, a problem of the whole
spine within a few weeks, and is linked to a
whole body pattern within a few months.
It is not unusual to have odd feelings – physical
or emotional – between sessions. Please contact your
practitioner if they are cause for concern. Often, old long-forgotten
pains will resurface for a time (this is a
positive sign that the process of unwinding is well underway).
Your practitioner has a short pamphlet, “Getting
the Most from Your KMI Sessions”, which can be helpful.
View your KMI series as a project, with a beginning,
middle and an end: not an ongoing and endless therapy.
Clients often return after there series for either the 3 or 12-series,
or once or twice a year for a ‘tune up’ session to
ease the effects of external stress of there day to day life.
Others simply move ontop a maintenance/workout routine (such as
yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Feldenkrais) appropriate for them.
The 12 Session Series
The KMI 12 series is a dynamic and multifaceted
approach at restructuring your body through deep intentional bodywork.
There is no simple way to describe KMI that will allow you to
grasp its effects and benefits that are not only physical, but
also can be emotional. There is no list of conditions it can help
as individuals who have received the treatment have seen almost
any multitude of symptoms lesson or disappear. This is because
of the body’s reliance on balance for its function. The
overall goal of the 12 series is rebalancing the human Structure
over itself and in gravity. Because most issues are structural
in nature, Structural integration will most likely have a lasting
beneficial effect on your overall health, wellbeing and resilience..
To generalize the 12 session series, it is broken
down into 3 parts and 4 session increments. Part one collectively
focuses on preparing the body for deeper work. By opening and
freeing superficial tissues, a change begins to happen and deeper
issues begin to show. . The following 4 sessions can now address
the newly accessible deepest tissues of the body where we typically
hold the core of our issues. Finally the last, but certainly not
the least, part 3's main focus is "giving it back" to
the client or integrating the new changes into the whole body.
Expectations are hard to quantify, as human beings
are all so individual. . So if you are thinking “will this
help me” My answer is, Yes! But to break down my experience
with my clients, I find that there is a bell curve on effectiveness
and lasting results. 25% of my clients experience a wonderful
life changing result that they are unsure of how they lived prior
to those sessions. Another 30% experience great and wonderful
changes that mostly last. Another 30% experience great changes
at first and some stay and some go. 13% feel good after a session
or notice some change, but are unsure of any long term effects.
And lastly, 2% notice very little, to no change. These outcomes
are, of course, attributed to various factors such as physical,
mental and emotional stress, spacing of sessions, commitment,
cause of issues, and so on.
For a more in-depth analysis of each session we
will break down the sessions one by one.
Session 1
This session involves a number of factors. Physically the work
focuses on the superficial front line and breath. Mentally and
emotionally it is the beginning of change. Collectively it is
a time for the practitioner and client to introduce themselves
and their expectations and qualities. The practitioner should
discover a number of key factors that will help determine the
directions of this and following sessions. How is the client’s
nervous system (parasympathetic orsympathetic), Quality of the
tissue, movements and what is there pain threshold. This session
is thought of as an uplifting session as we are lifting and brining
the tissue up the front of the body, but also because we are freeing
the breath and allowing the body to obtain more life giving oxygen.
Session 2
This session can now build on the relationship developed in session
one. Its physical focus is on the Superficial back line, contacting
the tissue in a much deeper level then the first session. This
session is thought of as a grounding session as we are bringing
the tissue down the back of the body. mentally and emotionally,
the back of the body is thought of as "no", we turn
away from issues we are uncomfortable and this may hold some of
that in the tissue.
Session 3
While sessions one and two consisted of the front and back which
can be associated with movement and yes and no, sessions three
focues on opening up and balancing the lateral line of the body
which is your stability and can project uncertainty. Completion
of the lateral line usually brings about a feeling of conclusion
and uplift that the client might have been lacking in the previous
sessions. Mentally and emotionally the side of the body is "maybe"
and may contain some indecision.
Session 4
A revisiting of the previous areas in another approach, session
4’s focus is on the spiral line’s effects on superficial
rotations, shoulder blade placement, and the arches of the feet.
It is also a time to revisit any area’s of the first 3 sessions
that may need more attention and opening.
Session 5
Direction now changes as we focus on the deeper core of the body.
With the superficial fascia freed from sessions 1-4, session five
goals are the releases of the now obtainable lower half of the
Deep front line or core and build core support and reduce any
effect the deep core may play on the organs from below. Physically
this is from the inside Arch, up the inseam of the leg leading
to the adductors, contacting the pelvic floor and ending at the
hip flexor muscles. Even though it is the lower half of the body
that has been worked, clients often experience a great lifting
up through their whole body. Mentally and emotionally this deeper
tissue can hold more unresolved issues then superficial tissue
as most of the time we are contacting areas that have rarely been
addressed before. This area can be emotionally connected to ones
sexuality and sexual events can sometimes be held in this tissue.
Session 6
A continuation of the deep front line up the body, session 6 focuses
on the “abdominal balloon” and it relationship with
organ function and breath. Physically this covers the some of
the territory in the previous session with work on the hip flexors,
and moves up to the recutus abdominis, Diaphragm, pectoralis fascia,
ribs and shoulders. Mentally and emotionally this session connects
tissue that can hold a wide ray of emotions. Personally for me,
great loss and abandonment is held in these tissues. A feeling
of lift and new found freedom is experienced after these two sessions
on the deep core.
Session 7
A revisiting of session 2 in a substantially deeper level, session
7's overall goal is to balance out the release of the deep front
line lift that has now been created by session 6. Specific physical
goals are alignment of the body over itself that allow the primary
and secondary curves of the spine and body to be in balance. Lastly,
but certainly not least, the focus turns to the freeing and balance
of the sacrum. Mentally and emotionally I believe this tissue
can hold “containment”....
Session 8
Session 8 is considered the apex session of the series. The end
of the “core” sessions as the previous 3 sessions
have build the base for the success of the final core session.
The focus of this session is physically confided to a small area,
but the goals are not small in anyway. The focus is on the alignment
and position of the head and a release of the jaw and the upper
portion of the digestive track, but the effects can be global;
effecting digestion, breath, blood flow, expression and more.
Freeing the superficial fascia of the neck, the session then attempts
to balance the head laying the ground to release the jaw and face
stripping away any “masks” that may be held. Moving
interior orally and finally ending with the nasal septum. Mentally
and emotionally a great deal of emotions can be held here. It
is a sacred place, which can hold a great deal of emotion related
to almost anything. We use are face to express or mask our true
intentions and feelings.
Session 9
Now that the legs, hips and torso and head have been addresses,
focus on placing the arms and shoulders on the torso begins.
Session 10-12
While the previous sessions have been on differentiation and creating
space, the final 3 sessions goal is to integrate the newly freed
tissues together to create a more harmonious you. The integration
sessions are also very important as they allow the body to more
readily accept the new changes and help maintain a lasting change.
The KMI 3 series
The KMI 3-series is a great introduction to structural bodywork.
The full KMI program (a 12-session series)
works its way through your body in a more detailed and thorough
way. The 3-series will use the same
principles and techniques to address the pelvis girdle and legs,
the upper body and the shoulders, and the neck
and spine respectively, giving you a good introduction to yourself
and the method. For the best results, we
recommend the full 12-series, but you will definitely get a good
idea of the direction and the results from this
initial 3-series.
View your KMI series as a project, with a beginning,
middle and an end: not an ongoing and endless therapy.
Clients often return after this series for the full 12-series,
or once or twice a year for a ‘tune up’ session to
ease
the effects of life.
Pricing
The Cost is 140 dollars a treatment.. Each session is approximately
1 hour and 15 min long. I accept Cash and Cheque.
What should you wear during a session?
The idea is to wear something that you will be comfortable,
and moveable as possible with the greatest access to tissue. For
some they simply wear hugging underwear while others wear short
shorts and a tank top or bra. We will of course always work within
your comfort level and gym shorts and a sports bra or more is
always an option.
Can Structural Integration Help you?
KMI is a wonderful ‘tonic’ for your posture and movement.
Do not undertake KMI without medical permission if needed, and
let your practitioner know about anything medical that might be
relevant to your sessions. KMI can be remarkably effective for
chronic pain patterns of a structural nature, but is not designed
as a ‘curative’ for any disease or as a ‘first
aid’ remedy for recent injury or as a substitute for medical
attention where needed. Check with your practitioner if you are
unsure whether Structural IntegrationI is contraindicated for
your situation.
With that said, I believe Structural Integration
can aid almost anyone with almost any issue. The reason for this
is that structure effects function. the fact is, imbalances waste
energy and restrict movement of fluids in th body. Movement of
Blood, Lymph, hormones and so on all affect overall wellbeing
and health. If cells can't get the food, oxygen, waste removal,
hormones and more that they need than they can't function. If
this happens, a cell goes into hibernation mode and shuts down
all functions not directly related to its own survival and stops
working for the whole system, the human being.
With any issue, the question should always be, "What
caused it?" Not what the symptoms are, as symptoms are the
result of the issue and not the cause. There is a saying "typically
it is, where it aint" and it is true 99% of the time. KMIs
Structural Integration 12 session approach leaves "no stone
unturned" as it methodically moves through the entire body
revealing the layers of compensation leading to the center or
core of the issues.
How often should I have sessions?
Typically the best results are obtained with 1 treatment a week.
More or less frequent is also possible and missing a week here
and there is not an issue. . We will work with your availability
and financial situation.
How do imbalances form?
Common strain patterns come about from inefficient movement habits
and our body's response to daily stresses. Individual strain patterns
come from imitation of significant others when we were young,
from the invasions of injury or surgery or birth, and from our
body's response to traumatic episodes. What starts as a simple
gesture of response can become a neuro-muscular habit. These habitual
movements form one's posture, and the posture eventually changes
the structure of the body's connective tissue or 'fabric'.
When we are injured or stressed, no matter what
the source of the stress, there is a neuro-muscular response –
usually involving some combination of contraction, retraction,
immobility, and often rotation. These patterns put some muscles
under strain (so that they develop painful trigger points) and
also pulls at the fascial fabric, requiring it to shift, thicken,
glue itself to surrounding structures, and otherwise compensate
for the excess sustained muscular holding. Especially when there
are chronic and long-held patterns, it is not enough to simply
release the muscular holding, even though that is definitely a
good start. Freeing and repositioning the fascial fabric, along
with re-integration of the movement patterns so that they stay
easily in their proper positioning, is the aim of KMI.
Rolfing Vs Structural Integration
Rolfing is simply a brand of Structural Integration
and just means they graduated from the Rolf institute who have
trademarked the name. There are now many schools of Structural
Integration and have all similarly branded their own name. It
is thought that Ida Rolf wanted the work called Structural Integration,
but politics and business has created a confusing mix of names
for the same group of work (structural Integration). Similar to
coke and pepsi or mac and PC... they are both pop and computers,
but slightly different and everyone has their preference. I think
it’s unfortunate because it can confuses the public and
can make it difficult for them to find Structural integration
practitioners. Because of this, I have joined and support the
International Association of Structural Integrationists www.IASI.com
who are trying to bring all the schools together and jointly use
the term “structural Integration” .
For myself, I learned Structural Integration from Thomas Myers,
a former Rolfer and teacher at the Rolf institute. He broke off
from the Rolf Institute and formed his own school in 1990 after
writing the worldwide bestselling book “Anatomy Trains”
(anatomytrains.com). He had the pleasure of studying from Ida
Rolf and Moshe Feldenkrais and has over 35 years of experience.
He has slightly modernized the work based on his experience and
knowledge. After having a Rolfing series and a series from one
of Thomas Myers practitioners I decided to study with Thomas as
I found the work to be better organized and more effective. But
basically, it’s like going to an RMT that graduated from
one school or another... they’re all massage therapists
and it really does depend on the practitioner... So I suggest
you chose a practitioner that is right for you. First I recommend
you read the practitioner websites, talk to the practitioners
and if you can I suggest even giving a few practitioners a try
and picking the one you like the best.
Testimonials
"After 10 yrs of ongoing rehab and multiple sugeries following
a motor vehicle accident plus several other physical traumas,
chronic pain is quickly becoming a distant memory thanks to the
structural integration techniques of Bryon Brewster. The KMI methodology
he follows is thoughtful and efficient. Because of Bryon's passionate
approach and attention to detail I can say with confidence that
there is a solution to chronic pain associated with structure
and biomechanic instabilities! Thanks to Bryon's work there is
hope for a painfree existence! Thanks Bryon!! "
Melissa Rudat
Pilates Instructor
I am a 37 years old professional woman I have suffered
from back pain partly due to degenerative disc disease, and disc
herniations. Over the last 10 years I have seen countless specialists
including; surgeons , physiotherapists, chiropractors, ART therapists.
I have tried dry needling, pain injections ( nerve blocks) prescription
anti inflammatory and countless herbal and holistic alternative
therapies.
I searched out Bryon after attending an Anatomy
trains workshop. I went to him with no expectations on my back
pain but more was interested in feeling someone work the Anatomy
trains on my body to deepen my understanding of anatomy. After
the third session I was amazed at the results. My body started
to feel untangled and more efficient. I have always known what
ideal posture is but I had been so stuck in compensation patterns
I have always struggled to maintain it. After each of the 12 sessions
I was amazed at the changes in my body, my appearance and my energy.
By the end of the series my back pain had reduced by 95%! Skeptical
at first that the changes would last I waited to write this testimonial.
It has been almost 3 months since my last treatment and I am doing
better than ever. My workouts are easier my mood has improved
from being out of constant pain. Thanks Bryon!
Lisa S.
Pilates Studio owner and instructor
After having been treated by Structural Integration,
I had greatpostural, breathing and joint (low back, knees and
shoulder) issues solved for good.
I am confident that this work wouldld be able to help you to speed
up your posture improvement.
Marcio S.
Personal Trainer
This unique technology has great results. Opening
up the joints helps in body movement and makes it more fluid.
It stretches out areas that are literally jammed and cannot be
stretched. Areas where the muscles are particularly stiff are
addressed and getting more motion is accomplished. I have found
after several sessions that areas, especially my rib cage, upper
back and chest are much more open and flexibility has improved.
This corrects my posture, which results in a freedom of movement
throughout my whole body.
Sharon B.
Executive Assistant
Dear Bryon,
You are an amazing body worker and I hope these
words can contribute to make others believe in your capacities
too. I have sought help from chiropractors, osteopaths, Alexander
technique practitioners, physiotherapists, and many more, and
there is none who has helped me increase my well being as you.
You say that Structural Integration gives lasting
results, contrary to say regular massage therapy, which you of
course know very well from your years of experience and education
in the field. I can vouch with my experience that these words
are facts rather than beautiful fancies. There is now three months
since I last saw you. Overall, I feel more upright and relaxed
than ever and I could also mention several areas of my body where
you have clearly made an impact: the rotation in my ribcage is
gone; the shoulders do not slant forward at all anymore; and I
have much more movement and almost no pain in my arthritic hip.
What is most mesmerizing is that the treatment keeps working far
after the series is completed. It is an adventure to work out
my body these days as I work with the new possibilities that the
series opened up for me.
As a Pilates teacher who takes my job seriously
I have a fair knowledge in anatomy. An accomplished Pilates teacher
can see the body as sets of systems working in coherence rather
than as isolated muscles working singularly. With your way of
sometimes simplifying and other times giving me the full anatomical
explanation, you have been one of my most important Pilates teachers.
Your passion for helping other people through Structural
Integration is tangible. As I sit here on the other side of the
Atlantic, writing these words, I write with a posture that you
have helped me create. Writing could be a toll before, but I now
write with ease; and that applies as well to how my body feels
as to how easy it is to give you my warmest recommendations. I
can only hope that you experience all the success you could wish
for as a body worker and a Structural Integrator.
With gratitude,
Magnus Andersson, Pilates instructor, tango teacher, and
music researcher and critic
"I've had severe chronic tension for decades
due to excessive computer use and high levels of anxiety. Although
years of chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, osteopathy, physiotherapy,
yoga, pharmaceutical and natural supplements helped a little,
nothing has produced such effective or rapid change as just one
experience of Bryon's Kinesis Myofascial Integration / Structural
Integration. I'd heard of Rolfing before and knew it sounded like
a good fit for me, but never met anyone fully trained and seasoned
in its use until now. And I know Bryon's rate may look pricey
compared to other forms of body work, but after spending thousands
of dollars on many physical therapies offering only small benefits,
I can say Bryon's rates are a giveaway when compared with his
results. Bryon also guided me on exactly how to breathe to best
release my physical holding patterns. My next major gift to myself
is going to have to be a 12-session KMI series so I can start
living in the body I was born to inhabit.
Tanya P.
www.HypnoSage.com
At a major fitness club I watched Bryon guide one
person after another in a fashion superior to the other trainers.
Intrigued I requested that he prepare a program for me, a fit
senior. I then signed up for the Structural Integration series.
I now wish to offer this endorsement because of the lasting benefit
of his sure and careful realignment of my body. It has brought
me unabated happiness.
Gloria Shulman
Senior
As far as Structural Integration goes, well I'm
sold on it. The postural changes have stayed, still some spasmming,
but I think it's my body refusing to give into its new lengths.
I have done some workouts this past week, my legs are far far
stronger, and feel great, and I even feel like I have way more
energy when working out. This has been the best thing anyone has
been able to do for my Ankylosing Spondylitis, and that's just
from 3 treatments.
James M.
Student of Osteopathic Medicine
Last summer , 2010 I suffered from a recurrence painful plantar
fasciitis , inflammation of the connective tissue that supports
the arch of the foot . As well, I had developed a bunion on that
foot. Every step sent pain radiating from the heel through the
whole foot. Treatments such as specific exercise to strengthen
the muscles of the foot and leg , new orthotics , heel cushions
and arch supports, as well as ultra sound treatment, did little
to reduce the pain. In addition , neither could I tolerate anti
-inflammation creams or pain pills after a couple of days.
My trainer who had benefited from Bryon’s
expertise herself recommended that I try Structural Integration
that Bryon practised. The program consisted of stretching, and
deep fascia massage, concentrating on the muscles that affected
the feet. But to ensure success, the whole body had to be re-alligned
to correct postural imbalances of which I had been unaware. It
was then that I began to understand and appreciate the comprehensiveness
of this program. Bryon was thorough in his explanation of each
step of the procedure, and provided full and sufficient answers
to my many questions .In addition to treatment , I benefited from
a mini course in anatomy and muscular and skeletal systems. Throughout
the process, I felt the release of muscular tension, and increased
energy . Gradually the plantar fasciitis pain disappeared , and
five months later, I remain painfree
I can recommend Bryon’s unique treatment
to anyone suffering from this sort of pain. I value his comprehensive
knowledge, style of treatment , empathetic nature, and professionalism.
I have happy feet now.
Jennifer Young
World Traveler
I started looking into Rolfing and came upon Bryon’s
site. I’d read Tom Myers’ book ‘Anatomy Trains’
and was very interested in his KMI Structural Integration therapy
approch.
I’m a Strength and Conditioning Coach who
trains mainly Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters and my friends
describe me as ‘always on the go’, I played hockey
last night, volleyball the night before and Frisbee the night
before that, on top of martial arts training and weight lifiting.
I’m also a CHEK Level 1 Practitioner and hold numerous fitness
certifications on top of my Kinesiology degree, so I’m very
critical when it comes to therapies. I interviewed a couple of
therapists and decided to go with Bryon. I feel like it was a
good choice.
Some of the benefits I’ve experienced include:
• Better posture: decreased forward head and
shoulders have pulled back into place nicely
• Improved hip range of motion and less pain – I used
to have extremely tight hips, now they’ve loosened up and
I’ve learned what to do if they do tighten up
• Breathing has gotten easier and I can breathe deeper –
I went for a run midway through the series and after not running
for months (it was winter) I felt like I could go forever and
I didn’t get the tightness in the abs/side stitch that I
often get
• Improved exercise technique – when I do lunges I
know my right hip used to shoot out to the right, now I can stay
more inline, I think because my glutes are working better
I’ve also been able to ‘connect’
with my body better, I know when and where I’m holding tension
and am better able to release it.
All in all it was a positive experience and if you’re
like me and are deeply interested in your body and optimizing
it’s performance and health, I think doing the series with
Bryon is a no-brainer.
Eric Wong, BSc, CSCS
MMA workout
I approached Bryon in January 2011 after undergoing
a severe strain to my lower back cross country skiing. I needed
help in realigning my back and decreasing the stiffness and pain
in my body.
We began a 12 week program in January and gradually I was able
to feel less stiffness in my lower back and SI joints. My pain
management improved as the debilitating pain in the back ended
and my posture improved.
I would recommend Bryon for his program of Structural Integration.
Andy Smith
General Manager
eMbody Fitness Clubs
www.embodyfitnessclubs.com
On top of his many years of experience and his clear expertise
in structural integration, Bryon is also highly intuitive and
personable. In addition to physically being able to observe where
problems lie, by talking about your experiences to him, he is
also able to pinpoint areas of the body which need to be "released"
from tensions which may have been in place for years. In my twelve
sessions, some underlying emotional issues emerged which also
had to be dealt with and resolved. Energy levels and flexibility
have improved greatly, making me feel younger. It was overall
a major healing process, one which I would recommend to anyone
with a few decades of living behind them. Thanks Bryon!
S.Z.
Bryon’s structural integration has been some of the most
profound body work I’ve ever experienced. As someone who’s
job is intensely physical (full time yoga- instructor) I appreciate
Bryon’s depth of knowledge, his compassion and his holistic
approach to healing – combining nuanced and in-depth anatomical
understanding with sensitivity to the underlying psychological
and emotional tensions that can lay dormant in the body. Bryon’s
touch is strong, intuitive and always informed by the body he
is working with. As he likes to say, he is an active ‘listener’
and allows the tissues to guide him- never forcing the body to
go where it is not ready or able to go. He has helped me not only
on a muscular-skeletal level but has also done fantastic visceral
work with my organs that has aided my digestion and helped dissolve
impingements and adhesions that have been creating imbalances
in my body for years.. Having sampled many different kinds of
body work (Osteopathy, Massage, Chiropractics) I can whole-heartedly
recommend Bryon’s approach as an extremely effective way
of addressing the root-causes of structural imbalances. Bryon
is also very personable and professional, making him someone I
like and trust.
Jessica Lemon (Yoga Instructor)
www.jessicalemon.com
A little over 10 years ago my left knee suddenly became very swollen
and inflammed.My family doctor sent me to a specialist who scoped
my knee and took a sample of the swollen liquid from my knee for
analysis.The result of these tests was inconclusive they said
it wasn`t gout and it wasn`t arthritis they didn`t know what was
causing my knee to swell.The swelling and inflammation caused
me a lot of pain and suffering severly limiting my ability to
walk any distance and running was out of the question.For the
next 10 years I tried everything to get relief from my knee.Physiotherapy,massage,Chinese
Traditional Medicine,Accupuncture,Yoga,cupping,reikki,exercise
programs,cranial sacrum treatments,osteopathy,heat and cold therapy
and homeopathy. Nothing worked until I found Bryon Brewster and
Structural Intergration. After just 3 treatments the swelling
in my knee reduced so I could see my knee again instead of puffiness.Most
importantly the pain went away and stayed away so for the first
time in over 10 years I could go for a walk pain free and even
run a little.This was a miracle for me.Today after having finished
the treatments for over a month I have been on a very vigorous
weight training program at a gym to regain the strength in my
left leg and over all body conditioning.This is something I couldn`t
even imagine being possible before Bryon`s treatment.I am making
good progress but a knee and leg that for ten years has been under
used due to pain becomes extremely weak but I am building it back
up pain free.What a miracle !!
As if fixing my knee wasn`t enough I had 2 other notible positive
outcomes from Bryon`s treatment. Over the years I have broken
both my collar bones in skiing accidents at different times. As
a result whenever I would sleep on my side I would wake up with
pain in my chest muscles. Although it would go away after 5-10
minutes if I woke up in the middle of the nite it was a real sleep
disturber.After the 6th treatment this problem dissappeared.
Finally I am in my 60`s and for several years now if I sat for
a long time driving in the car when I got out of the car my first
5 to 10 steps were like walking in concrete and then I could walk
normally again.O well I thought I am getting old what can I do
. Well after my 8th treatment the walking in concrete feeling
dissappeared and hasn`t returned.So if your thinking about whether
or not to get Structurally Integrated I can tell you it has changed
my quality of life so much for the better it borders on the miraculous.Go
for it !!!!!!!
R.J.M.
Registered Massage Therapist
Working with Bryon has been an absolute gift. He has an exceptional
way of assessing complete body mechanics and helping his clients
move in ways conducive to building strength and releasing tension.
I came to Bryon with bilateral knee injuries, unable to walk without
pain. Various sports medicine doctors, physiotherapists and chiropractors
told me my pain would be chronic. For a former division 1 college
athlete, the idea of not participating in the sports I loved was
devastating. Within two sessions, Bryon had me walking free from
pain. But the benefits of his efforts extended beyond just relieving
my injuries. He addressed the poor mechanics that most likely
contributed to the injuries. In the process, he improved my stance
and my posture. Now I stand taller, breathe easier and sleep better
– in addition to walking effortlessly with a renewed feeling
of strength in my step. I feel confident in a way I haven’t
felt in years – and I know it’s no coincidence all
these wonderful changes happened within weeks of working with
Bryon.
His approach is unique and holistic. Bryon looks at the entire
body instead of just addressing the complaint. He has created
a friendly, judgement-free space where his clients can grow into
more self-assured and relaxed postures. Each week, I looked forward
to working with Bryon because I knew I’d walk away feeling
stronger. I could feel the results of a single session even days
afterward – muscles just seemed to relax and fall into place.
I learned so much from Bryon, and I look forward to working with
him again.
Alanna G.
"When I booked my first session with Bryon, I was ready
to try anything. Multiple falls from a decade of snowboarding
had taken a toll and my back and especially my neck. I was in
so much discomfort I was taking Advil several times a day. I had
to stop doing yoga, playing tennis and even long walks because
it hurt too much. Even turning my neck to reverse my car was really
uncomfortable. Bryon said that at first the discomfort could get
worse, as I had had so many injuries; he said it was 'like peeling
an onion and old issues may surface as we resolve them'. I'm glad
he warned me. For a couple of weeks, I experienced that psiatica
that had plagued me during my early 20s, then mild lower back
discomfort, sometimes achiness. However, after the fifth week,
my pain, which would have been like a constant 7, was a 1 or 2.
I felt like I was standing straighter, I felt stronger and able
to once again so the activities I liked, although slowly at first.
Bryon's Structural Integration treatment worked where so many
others had failed. Thanks Bryon!"
Victoria Webster, 35
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