Hours By Appointment
Open Monday - Saturday 9 - 7:30pm
360-352-4511
© 2011 Organic Wellness
1210 Sleater Kinney Rd SE, Lacey WA 98503
Is a unique system of bodywork that aims to improve your body's posture, alignment, flexibility and ease of movement! It is based on the idea that the force of gravity exerts a downward pressure on our bodies. A body that is out of alignment may feel this pressure as tightness, decreased energy or chronic pain.
Take a good look at your body in a full length mirror and see if one shoulder or one hip is higher than another, or looks more forward than the other. Check the range of motion of your neck, shoulders and hips and see if one side moves better than the other. These are good simple ways to see if your body would benefit from Structural Integration! After balancing the body, one will usually feel a sense of lightness and ease, increased energy, increased range of motion and a reduction in chronic tension and pain.
How does it work?
Structural Integration aligns and balances the body by lengthening and repositioning the connective tissue known as fascia. Fascia surrounds the muscles, bones and organs in the body, giving the muscles their shape and the body its structure. As fascia is lengthened, it allows the muscles to move more efficiently. The practitioner will apply pressure to the body, working the entire fascial system in a systematic way. When restricted fascia is released and lengthened, the body can return to its structurally optimal position.
Why does fascia need lengthening?
The continuing pull of gravity, the stress of daily activities, and physical injuries can pull the body out of alignment. The fascia gradually shortens, tightens and adjusts to accommodate this misalignment. When the body is out of alignment, it creates inefficiency and imbalance resulting in stiffness, discomfort and loss of energy.
When the body is aligned and balanced, it moves with greater ease and requires less energy to function. Good posture is effortless and breathing is easier. The body becomes more flexible, more coordinated, and athletic performance improves.
After moving back to Olympia from Denver several years ago, I spent considerable time trying out massage therapists, looking for the right one.
Finding Matt Murray was the eventual result of that effort. The work that we've done over the last three months has brought me back flexibility and comfort that I haven't felt for years.
For the last five weeks, we've switched to Structural Integration, . This work is deep and potentially painful, requiring an adept therapist who engenders trust in the client. This is where Matt demonstrates some of the depth of his skills, knowledge, and talent.
Ed Brendler, Olympia
I was very impressed with how focused and effective the bodywork I received from Matt was. He seemed to get right to work on the areas that needed the attention, and I came out of the session energized, but relaxed. I would recommend his work to anyone looking for a focused, but gentle, approach to caring for their bodies.
Dr. Andy Rosser
Testimonials
Can I just do individual sessions instead of the 10 session series?
Yes. While a full 10-series is the most favorable approach to producing long lasting results, you can certainly benefit from fewer sessions if you would prefer not to commit to the whole series, or you if just want to address one or two problem areas. We can tailor individual sessions to your needs or design a "treatment plan" for your unique circumstances.
How many sessions are needed?
Traditionally, Structural Integration has been performed over the course of a ten session series. This works best because the whole series is viewed as a process toward improving your health. The ten sessions follow a systematic approach to re-sculpt the body and bring it into better balance. Each session prepares the body for the next session and makes sure that the whole body is addressed. Poor posture and myofascial compensations have taken years to put their imprint on your body, but in just ten sessions, Structural integration can put your body on a better, more upright path toward improved health and well-being! The optimal frequency is once a week (however the work is still effective if longer breaks between sessions are required).
Why get the work?
People choose to go through the 10-Series for many reasons. These reasons can have there origins in our body's history of accidents, patterns of tension, habitual use and overuse. All of these stresses cause our tissues to shorten and harden, which then often lead to restricted movement, aches and pains which interfere with our quality of life.
- Structural Alignment - Many people are now realizing how poor posture affects there body and life and come to the Method to achieve a body that is more balanced, feels freer, moves easier and usually feels better!
- Chronic Pain - Many clients come for help with chronic pain. These complaints can be neck and lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis,or headache pain. With these clients, I work to balance restrictions directly related to their complaint and also balance their entire structure in order to help prevent re-ocurrence of that complaint.
- Injury - Clients come complaining of the results of car accidents and sports injuries, added on to the years of strain already accumulated in the body.
- Tension, Stress and Depression - Many clients come becuse they want relief from chronic patterns of physical and emotional tensions. They may even be participating in activities such as yoga, massage, chiropractic adjustments, Pilates classes, exercise programs and psychotherapy. Structural Integration can be a wonderful complement to these and other modalities that you may already be using. In addition, I may also recommend activities like these to support and extend the results of our work together.
- Athletic Performance - Whether you are into running, bicycling, golf, yoga, martial arts, tennis, or any other sport or activity, this method can help improve your performance. Many professional atheletes have turned to SI to improve their game!
- More ENERGY! - The muscles of a structurally aligned body move easier and consume less vital energy which is then available for other tasks!
Can I exercise during Structural Integration?
Light movements are recommended, but intense, vigorous exercises should be avoided while you are receiving structural integration treatment. .
Regular exercise is great. But it is best not to perform extremely vigorous activities during or immediately after your series of Structural Integration. (You might want to put off that marathon!) Balance and coordination can be temporarily affected as your structure changes, and time is needed to integrate changes.
What do I wear?
It is best to receive sessions in your underwear, since you will be asked to stand up and walk often during the session. You may also wear cotton gym shorts and a sports bra or a bathing suit (2 piece for women) if it makes you more comfortable.
What is a typical session like?
Allow 60 minutes for you first session. After that, sessions last about 50-65 minutes. Your posture and movement
will be evaluated before, during and after the session. You will be asked to participate in these sessions by being
asked to breathe or make specific movements while a stroke is being done.
some of the work is also done in the seated position on the table or bench.
Consultations:
I offer free consultations.
Feel free to call or e-mail to set up a time
Matt Murray, LMP,SI
360-352-4511
I wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation to you for what you have done for mein the last 10 weeks.
the Structural Integration has trully been a life changing experience.
It has helped me:
- have less pain
- be more aware of my body and how it works
- be more comfortable in my own skin
- have more confidence and pressence
- I feel more whole and grounded
Thank you so much for being a great healer and artist you are invaluable - Kathryn C
10 step structural sessions - amazing
I was in bad shape before I came to Matt. I went through the 10 step structural sessions. I came to him feeling lithargic, with poor posture and constant back pain (I work at a computer most of my waking hours.) I recommend these sessions for anyone wanting relieve pain from chronic bad posture. I also had terrible pain in my feet (especially the first few steps of the day or if I had been off my feet for a while) - I can happily say my feet do not hurt any more. I was totally amazed the day after my foot session. Thank you Matt!!!
-Christine
Dear Matt,
I can’t thank you enough for the changes you have made in my body. When I began the ten step bodywork program I knew I would feel better but I did not expect to become completely pain free. Areas of my body that I did not even know were uncomfortable now feel light and balanced, and with your help I have been able to identify the harmful posture habits that caused the pain in the first place.
You have such a joyful, healing spirit that communicates through your touch and I appreciate the warm and soothing atmosphere of your offices.
I would like to express my thanks to Matt Murray.....I was involved in a hit and run accident in 2005......I was left with no mobility of my upper body.....I went through surgery, titanium plates in my neck with very little relief.....in 2008 my husband found Organic Wellness and I went through the 10 series......I have my life back, I can paint and be the artist I was meant to be......Thank you for giving me my life back......the next creation will be just for you........
Cynthia Bossung
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I can't believe how much better I feel since I worked with Matt on the structural integration sessions. I am like a new person, stand up straighter, walk better, just an overall new feeling. Thanks so much Matt, You are the greatest.
Pam
Structural Integration Your Body Will Thank you
I was a structural integration skeptic
( I am an MD )until I was referred to Matt by my spouse. She had scapular pain for 2 decades. After one session it was gone.
I devepoled pain in my neck in October of 1972 and it persisted in spite of many modalities of treatment and medications. That is until Matt got a hold of me. IN two sessions the pain and limitation of motion were gone. He did so much for my neck, I underwent the full 10 treatment regimen.
My low back pain and stiffness from 25 years of running and a protruding disc has been vastly improved. I can sleep without pain. I can run again.I can get dressed and get into my car with regained agility I didn't realize I had lost. I can turn all the way around to see in the blind spot and to reverse in the car. My yoga is improving also.
While I am sure that not ALL chonic pain is ammenable to Structural Integration, I do believe is worth a try. Don't wait 40 years like I did.
You will like the quiet of the small treatment facility and you will like Matt's friendliness and professionalism.
Larry EmroldN MD
I have been struggling with sciatica and degenerative joint disease (DJD) for 5 years. Medications help but it was not a sustainable treatment plan. Matt made me realize that the nature of my pain was strongly associated with my body’s posture and structural alignment. As a Registered Nurse I understand the importance of taking a holistic approach in integrating other forms of treatment. After completing the full course of Structural Integration Therapy (10 sessions), I have less pain to my lower back and my posture has dramatically improved. Matt is very knowledgeable and offered teaching to address my particular needs. I highly recommend anyone suffering from sciatica pain and DJD to try this treatment.
Greg C. Puno, RN, BSN
