Tensegrity Medicine is a new approach to manual therapy centered on the relationship of the whole body with an individual’s interaction with their environment. Based upon biotensegrity concepts derived from Stephen Levin’s biologic interpretation of Buckminster Fuller’s concepts of Tensegrity, the method approaches a body comprised of ‘equal forces of tensional compression and distraction’.
Differing from traditional therapy approaches that treat symptoms and body parts in isolation, Tensegrity Medicine instead examines and treats the global adaptive patterns that develop following injury, trauma, or repetitive movement patterns.
This unique form of therapy derives its foundation from the latest research and clinical findings related to fascia, movement, and neuropsychoimmunology as a way to understand more global concepts related to health and wellness.
Along with physical injury or a disease process, the individual’s response to life’s stresses lead to symptoms and loss of function. Tensegrity Medicine evaluates and addresses the whole person and their relationship with their environment to create increased awareness and choices for modified behavior and movement.
A wide variety of diagnostics tools and assessment principles are utilized within this model. An emphasis on connective tissue evaluation via Myofascial Testing is used to determine restriction patterns that may be contributing to altered tension patterns and system stagnations. Using these specific diagnostic assessments, the therapist is able to create a customized treatment plan, individualized for the client’s unique patterns.
The Tensegrity Medicine therapist utilizes a number of innovative light touch techniques, based on the latest science of the nervous and fascial systems, to affect these abnormal tension patterns which may be altering joint, muscle, ligament, tendon, or nerve functioning. During these manual therapy techniques, an emphasis is placed on heightening the client’s awareness of their holding patterns and sensations that may arise during the session. Movement re-education is incorporated either during or after the session as a means to integrate the body’s response and to allow an adaptive three-dimensional change within the system.
Education on new movement and postural patterns is emphasized as a means for the client to experience the new freedom of movement and alignment within the system.
Introductory training taster session in this technique is coming to Malta on Friday November 17 2017. The founder of Tensegrity Medicine, Kelly Clancy, OTR/L, LMT, SMS will be introducing these concepts in an exciting course held at the beautiful Sanya Spa. For more information or to register for the course, contact Emily Stewart at: emilytonellistewart@gmail.com or go to Kelly’s website at www.kellyclancy.com
Kelly Clancy has been practicing in the field of Occupational Therapy for over 30 years. She is a Structural Medicine Specialist, a board-certified Structural Integrator and holds additional certifications in Hand Therapy and Holistic Health Counseling. She is a Senior Instructor with the American Bowen Academy and is also a nationally certified licensed Massage Therapist. She is a clinical faculty member in the Department of Rehabilitation at the University of Washington, where she lectures on the topics of ergonomics, fascia, hand therapy, and new and emerging trends in manual therapy.
Kelly founded the Seattle Center for Structural Medicine in Washington state, an integrative therapy clinic housing multidisciplinary practitioners. She is also the owner and founder of The Northwest School of Structural Therapy which provides ongoing educational opportunities for manual and movement therapists. She has published and lectured nationally and internationally on fascia and its primary role in musculoskeletal dysfunction.