Body In Focus

I have to admit, I was skeptical as to whether massage therapy could help the pain I was having. It felt like it wasn’t necessarily muscular… and I’d once had a massage for it before that did not help.
But one visit with Andrew and I’m good as new. Thank God, too, because I had lived 9 days with such pain and such restricted mobility and it was truly hellish trying to deal with my two children, ages 4 and 2, in that state. What’s more, the massage was NOT painful at all. It felt good the whole time. !!!
So consider me a convert. I hope to get back in for a preventative massage at some point, too, but if not, I’ll definitely be back if this flares up again!

I learned about this company when I photographed a client recently — one year after I got to know her by photographing her wedding. My friend/​client (who is professional musician) looked like she was about 3 inches taller, now moves much more gracefully, and has integrated several lifestyle choices that made her more «herself» over the past year. I was in awe of her new presence and grace, and asked what had changed. She has started eating vegetarian, taken some Alexander Technique training… and attributed most of the changes to the Structural Integration 12-​session program she did with Andrew Mannino, whose professional work «releases and unwinds inefficient postural and movement habits.» I could NOT believe the changes in her body and carriage — all completely positive, wonderful, healthy changes, so I contacted Andrew to set up my first appointment immediately during my short time in town.
Andrew Mannino is a true professional. As a highly trained guitarist, he is familiar with the wrist and neck problems associated with repetitive stress — common ailments such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel, tmj, and similar repetitive strain injuries. His work addresses specific problems you are experiencing, and he uses his therapeutic massage to decrease chronic or acute pain, assess-​treat-​prevent injuries, and help facilitate an increased range of motion. He also offers deep tissue massage and Swedish massage.
My first session with him put me at ease, from the removal of my shoes at the door to the way he explained the different terms (such as myofascial trigger points) and helped me understand what happens in the body as it builds itself around the environment in which we live.
I’m really excited to have my next appointment with Andrew next week, and only sad that I won’t be able to do the full 12-​session SI series with him! This man seriously works wonders.
From the website:
«Structural Integration (SI) releases and unwinds inefficient postural and movement habits. It encourages an integrated and orchestrated body that is more comfortable and able to respond to the demands of modern life. Over a series of sessions (usually 12), SI works to elevate the whole body to a higher level of functionality and economy of effort by working with the structure in a systematic and strategic way. SI is deep, lasting, and significant work, applied with anatomical precision, blended with movement and sensitivity to the individual experience.»