1.  What is Rolf Method Structural Integration?

Rolf Structural Integration is gentle, thorough, engaging, and gimmick-free bodywork to balance, lengthen, and realign the body.   It is a whole-body approach that provides specific attention to all areas of the body including the foundations – the legs, pelvis (hips) and feet.  Structural Integration can be described as myofascial release and very specific deep tissue work.  Methodical and precise, Structural Integration provides long lasting change to the body, creating a more balanced and dynamic body as a whole.

 2. Is it painful?

In the early days of Rolf SI, fairly primitive and direct techniques were employed, earning Rolf SI a reputation for being painful. As the work advanced, so did the techniques, becoming far gentler as well as more effective. While tissue restrictions would often release through the older techniques, the newer, gentler and indirect techniques accomplished the same releases easier without traumatizing the tissue. It was also found that certain types of tissue in the body contained a much higher percentage of elastin to collagen, and this type of body tissue will only responded to indirect technique.
While some Rolf SI practitioners still use uncomfortable direct technique, we believe that there is a significant difference in working "with" a body rather than "on" a body, and we strive to maintain a listening, sensitive, and gentle touch as we work with our clients to accomplish their goals. Many clients often fall asleep during a session, yet the desired results are achieved. The idea that there is "no pain, no gain," is silly, old, and incorrect.

3. What is the difference between direct technique and indirect technique?

Direct technique is done by taking the tissue away from its restriction. Indirect technique is done by taking tissue into its restriction and following the bodyís natural cues to gently unwind the tissue.

4.  How is it different than massage?

a.  Unlike most massage, visual assessment is done throughout the sessions, which provides the Structural Integration practitioner with the information on where to work – i.e.:  what areas of the body are restricted, shortened, or held. In this way the Rolf practitioner is much more precise in their work. 

b.  The Structural Integration practitioner typically works in a series of sessions, allowing each session to build upon the session before it, maximizing and increasing the results felt by the client.

c.  In massage, the practitioner glides over the skin and tissue. However, in Structural Integration, the practitioner seeks to engage the tissue and move it into a more functional and comfortable position, or wait for tissue restrictions to soften and ease.

d.  While most massage does little or no assessment past “rub where it hurts,” Structural Integration works with the relationships within the body in a holistic manner.  It is understood that pain or discomfort in one area is typically due to a multitude of factors and requires work in other areas to eliminate it.  For instance, much neck pain can be attributed to the ribs, where restricted tissue on the front of the ribcage is depressing them, allowing the head and shoulders to roll forward and the neck to take the brunt of the punishment.

e.  Structural Integration, while often addressing the musculature – the primary focal point of massage, also addresses fascia, tendons, ligaments and bones.

5.  What is fascia?

Fascia is a connective tissue layer with surrounds muscles, bones, and joints, providing support, protection, and giving shape and structure to the body.  It consists of three layers: superficial fascia (right under your skin), deep fascia (surrounding and running through muscles), and subserous fascia (between the deep fascia and membranes lining the cavities of the body).  Releasing, lengthening, and realigning fascia is often the most important job of the Structural Integration Practitioner.

6.  How does Structural Integration help back pain when massage only gives temporary relief?

Structural Integration is concerned with easing the strain in the back directly, but it also targets the chief cause of musculo-skeletal back pain – imbalances in the pelvis.  The pelvis is the foundation of the back, and when that foundation is tipped or rotated, the results are felt as back pain.  To properly address the back, you need to properly address its foundation.  This means freeing and balancing the pelvis as well as the legs and feet under it.

7.  Can Structural Integration help with flexibility?

Yes.  The Structural Integration practitioner generally frees and lengthens the tissue being work upon.  This allows for greater flexibility and range of motion.  Further, putting a pelvis or a shoulder girdle in a more natural and balanced position automatically allows the musculature around it to stay relaxed, adding to both fluidity and flexibility.

8.  I’ve heard that Structural Integration can be very emotional and dig up past memories?

Memories and emotion are sometimes stored in the bodies fascial system, and working on a particular area can invoke an emotion or memory.  However, this is not common with most clients.

9.  I’m a runner. Can Structural Integration improve my times?

Yes.  Structural Integration removes restrictions at the joints, including the hips, knees and ankles.  This allows for smoother, less restricted movement at the joint.  Structural Integration balances the body, so that equal parts do equal work.  Structural Integration improves posture, verticality, and significantly increases oxygen intake.  All these things create both efficiency and lift, determinates of athletic performance.

10.  What doesn’t it work with?

That depends.  Structural Integration lengthens, balances, and de-strains the entire body, from superficial to deep.  This creates a much sturdier structure as a whole, able to both heal itself and also withstand the traumas of everyday life.  Thus, most musculo-skeletal pain is addressed while the added vitality and efficiency generally helps with non-musculo-skeletal health issues as well.  For example, when working with a client with HIV, creating a more efficient body structure allowed the client to divert precious energy, otherwise used up in day-to-day struggle with chronic strain, to fighting the virus.  At the same time, the increase in oxygen intake enhanced the overall immunity strength of the body.

11.  What is the difference between "Rolfing®" and Structural Integration?

Structural Integration is the work, including The Ten Series, founded by Ida P. Rolf . "Rolfing®" is a trademarked name for Structural Integration used by members of the Rolf Institute.