frequently asked questions

Typically, sessions are 1 to 2 hours, or more for some people. 

That would depend on a number of factors. If the purpose or goal is to target, and eliminate a particular symptom or problem like doing first aid, and the symptom is recent then the body may be able to process it out with only a session or two and return to normal activities. 

If the symptom has been chronic or causing problems for a long time, it has invariably affected other parts of the body creating patterns of protection and compensation. Often the origin of a symptom comes from an acute injury, or has accumulated overtime such as poor posture and breathing habits, it would be appropriate to discover and clear the trauma over a few sessions. 

Old stubborn pain patterns can stay in the body for years and lead to seemingly unrelated conditions until the information is processed out and better patterns of support and movement are established. 

If the purpose of having sessions is to decrease symptoms AND work towards RE alignment of the whole body’s structural system then there are a basic minimum of 10 sessions like a recipe, designed to sequentially clear trauma and improve the interrelation of the major segments of the body ie: feet, lower legs, upper legs, pelvic girdle, thorax, shoulder girdle, neck, and head. 

There is also advanced work available following the 10 session recipe to continue integrating the body as a whole, dynamic, functioning system with greater awareness

In a first consultation, we talk about the purpose of the visit. We may talk about old injuries, goals for the session or the overall desired outcome whether it be on the physical, mental, or emotional levels. Some people feel stressed and ungrounded especially going through big shifts in their life so, they use the bodywork to assist getting their head clear to make better choices. We will often start by doing some clearing work on the neck to establish an open bridge or gateway between the head and the rest of the body’s nervous system.

If there is the interest of potentially experiencing the 10 session recipe then, often photos are taken from the front, both sides, and the back with the client’s camera so they can see what the physical structure looks like before any hands on work begins. At sessions 5 and 10 another set of photos can be taken to show shifts and marked changes. Most people will be able to feel the differences although the photos make it easy to visibly and mentally own the changes. 

The majority of people start to feel relief and improvement after the very first session. 

Each of the series sessions are unique and have a specific purpose. 

We start at the foundation of assisting the nervous system to process out accumulated trauma by improving the ability to breathe, which can be an invaluable tool in daily life. 

All of the sessions allow the opportunity for rediscovering and reconnecting the conscious mind with the physical body in relation to the field of gravity. 

People that often come in trying to fix a symptom and choose to go through the complete series, find that the symptom has improved without concentrating just on the original problem.

There is a general guideline that has proved the test of time that if one wants to discontinue the recipe and maintain the balance and benefit up to that point then it’s better to stop after number 3, 5, or 10. 

Whether we are doing some first aid  Triggerpoint work for symptoms or addressing the alignment of the body network, there is always the stuck old energy and trauma buried underneath. 

This approach to processing requires a reasonable amount of desire to change by the client. 

Processing pain out of the body is always facilitated at a tolerable level to the client. Feedback is given on a scale where 0 is no pain at all to 10 which is intolerable and tells the practitioner to use less contact pressure and allow the client a choice to continue. 

As the client has a desire to shift what has been accumulated in their body, they also need some willingness to confront some pain, possibly old emotions and memories, and be open to change for the better. 

We are organic beings that experience life on a daily basis. The majority of people get stuck into living through unconscious cycles of behaviour and habits accumulated over time from beliefs, attitudes, injuries, and survival mechanisms that take shape with our physical framework and how it responds to the ever present field of gravity. 

Many changes can occur throughout the Bodytherapy sessions such as reduced trauma, increased ability to improve the physical body especially as the memory in the physical tissue is released however, if the trauma has accumulated due to these old unconscious mechanisms, then one would be better off becoming aware of these blocks and adjusting to a new approach by choice. This work can only facilitate some aspects that may help to improve the quality of a client’s experience and can be helpful in discovering what other avenues might help on their journey through life. 

No.

When referring to the registered trade mark name of Zentherapy, it is one of the modalities used in this Bodytherapy, and simply the name given to the work developed by its founder and my teacher William Dub Leigh.

No.

The structural integration 10 session series has its origin from the work of Ida Rolf, who was one of Dub’s most influential teachers, as was Mosche Feldenkrais for his awareness through movement approach, and then combined with work from Tenouye Tenshin Rotaishi providing east meets west bodywork techniques using energy. 

Typically there may be some general treatment soreness in the areas having been worked. Areas of the body that haven’t had work yet can also feel the available movement in the joints and related structure and start to call for work. 

Feeling an imbalance between some of the 10 session recipe can also be present for a day or two between sessions 4 where we are concentrating on tissue below the pelvis and session 5 where we are concentrating on tissue above the pelvis, and similarly with sessions 8 and 9. 

The most common reaction or response is some treatment soreness for a day or two. Other responses might include some redness, itchiness, or increased sensation to the area. Emotional sensitivity and vivid dreams or memories are also not uncommon. 

Unless specifically preparing for a competitive event or the work you do requires laborious physical activity, it is recommended to allow the body to integrate the changes into the nervous system for 24 hours or more if possible. 

Bodytherapy can be a fantastic preparatory adjunct when preparing for pregnancy especially the 10 session recipe. Decreasing trauma and promoting more available movement can assist the ‘mom to be’ as she experiences the oncoming changes in her body. 

After conception the work adjusts to supporting more specific areas of her body as the baby takes up residency for the next few months. More attention is placed on structural strains like the neck, rib cage, the entire length of the back and sacrum, and attachments to the pelvis. 

With the progression of the term, symptomatic Triggerpoint work can bring great relief and when mom is feeling better, that translates to baby too.  

Among the modalities of therapeutic significance I have been trained in since 1988, remedial, sports, and similar techniques of massage have some overlapping techniques and qualities. With massage the client’s body and mind kind of relax and switch off while the therapist does the work. 

The Bodytherapy approach looks at the active participation of the client in a conscious state working with the practitioner throughout the work. 

As I understand it, most chiropractic work I am familiar with, facilitates detailed adjustments to the joints thereby, relieving the pressure on the nervous system.

Bodytherapy works with the soft tissue and fascial membranes that help support the position and movement of the joints and bones. It is a perfect complement to chiropractic and physiotherapy as well.