What you do between sessions matters. Here are some of the books, practices, and resources I recommend to clients who want to deepen their understanding and support their structural health between appointments.
Tools I recommend for self-care between sessions. These can help maintain the work we do together and address everyday tension.
A large, extra-soft foam roller for full-body myofascial release. The softer density is gentler than standard rollers — good for the thoracic spine, IT band, and anyone new to foam rolling who finds firm rollers too intense.
Purchase online →A smaller-diameter roller for targeted work on calves, IT band, forearms, and other smaller muscle groups. The reduced size allows more precise pressure on specific areas.
Purchase online →Small, firm balls used for targeted self-myofascial release. Place them under areas of tension — spine, glutes, shoulders — and let gravity do the work. Excellent for the low back and hips.
Purchase online →A vibrating massage ball (Therabody Wave Solo) combining targeted pressure with vibration. The vibration helps relax the nervous system's guarding response, allowing deeper release than a static ball.
Purchase online →A vibrating foam roller that adds vibration therapy to myofascial release work. The combination often produces faster and more sustained release than rolling alone — particularly useful for the IT band and thoracic spine.
Purchase online →The Theragun Wave Duo — a combined vibrating ball and roller tool for targeted myofascial work. Versatile for both spot treatment and longer myofascial lines.
Purchase online →A soft, grippy ball for abdominal, hip flexor, and diaphragm release. Lying on it activates core proprioception and can address deep hip flexor and psoas tension. The purple version is the standard firmness.
Purchase online →The firmer graphite version of the Coregeous Ball — for those who want more resistance and deeper tissue work. Excellent for seated use to counter the effects of prolonged sitting on the low back and pelvis.
Purchase online →A handheld rubber self-massage tool for targeted pressure on trigger points and myofascial restrictions. Good for forearms, hands, feet, and areas where finger pressure is difficult to sustain.
Purchase online →A handheld self-massage tool designed to replicate thumb pressure. Particularly useful for forearms, hands, and areas difficult to reach with a ball. Good for repetitive strain patterns and desk workers.
Purchase online →A dual-ball roller with a center channel that allows rolling along the spine without direct pressure on vertebrae. Excellent for thoracic spine mobility and paraspinal muscle release — a safer alternative to direct spinal rolling.
Purchase online →These books will give you a deeper understanding of the body, pain, and how structural work creates change.
Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists
The foundational text for the structural integration approach used at Treatment Massage. Myers maps the fascial connections that run through the body as continuous lines and explains why restrictions in one area affect distant regions. Technical but worth the effort.
Structural Integration FasciaAn accessible introduction to fascial anatomy and the principles underlying structural integration. Written by two pioneers in the field, it explains how the fascial web connects the whole body and how chronic tension patterns develop and can be released.
Structural Integration FasciaA groundbreaking, accessible book on the neuroscience of pain. Explains how pain is constructed by the brain, why it persists after tissue has healed, and how understanding pain can itself reduce it. Essential reading for anyone with chronic pain.
Chronic Pain NeuroscienceExplores how trauma is stored in the body — not just the mind — and how somatic approaches (including bodywork) are essential for trauma healing. Deeply relevant for understanding the physical component of emotional experience and stress.
Trauma Somatic HealingSimple practices that support structural health and complement bodywork sessions.
Fascia is significantly composed of water. Adequate hydration directly affects fascial health and its responsiveness to bodywork. Most people underestimate how much water they need, particularly in the days after a session when the fascial system is integrating changes.
Varied, full-range movement throughout the day is more beneficial for fascial health than a single intense workout. The fascia responds to varied loading — walking, stretching, changing positions frequently. Sitting in one position for hours is one of the primary ways fascial restrictions develop.
You don't need to maintain "perfect posture" all day — that's exhausting and counterproductive. What helps is developing awareness of when you're in extremes: deep forward head, collapsed chest, locked knees. Noticing and gently varying these patterns makes a significant difference over time.
Your body continues to integrate structural changes for 24–72 hours after a session. Avoid intense exercise immediately after. Get good sleep. Stay hydrated. This integration period is important — the session begins the change, but the body completes it in the hours and days following.
Important note: The self-care suggestions on this page are general guidance and are not a substitute for the individualized recommendations Mark will make based on your specific situation. At your sessions, ask for practices specific to your pattern and goals.
The professional organization for structural integrators. The IASI website provides information about what structural integration is, how to find a certified practitioner, and the board certification process. Good reference if you want to understand the field's standards.
Professional Body Structural IntegrationTom Myers' organization and the training school behind the ATSI approach used at Treatment Massage. The website has articles, videos, and explanations of fascial anatomy and the Anatomy Trains approach to structural bodywork.
Fascia EducationA widely-read article examining the research on prolonged sitting and its effects on health, independent of exercise habits. Relevant for understanding why movement variety matters — not just regular workouts.
Posture MovementA clear video explanation of craniosacral therapy — what it is, how it works, and what a session looks like. Good preparation if you're considering CST for the first time.
Craniosacral TherapyAn educational documentary exploring the fascial system — including live footage of fascia in motion — that changed how many in the bodywork world understand connective tissue. Compelling viewing for anyone curious about why structural work creates such wide-ranging effects.
Fascia EducationA movement restoration channel focused on foundational movement patterns — crawling, rolling, pressing, squatting — that re-establish the neurological patterns underlying good movement. Practical and accessible.
Movement RehabilitationA remarkable medical video using surgical cameras to show the fascial system in a living body. Watching fascia move, slide, and respond in real time makes the concept immediately tangible. Often shown in structural integration training programs.
Fascia Anatomy