What is Structural Integration?

Structural Integration Therapy (SI), also known as “Rolfing,” is a holistic, interactive form of bodywork that targets the body’s connective tissue, or fascia. Through a series of sessions, SI aims to restore posture and heal fascia tightened or thickened by injury, stress, overuse, or other factors that cause chronic pain and limit mobility.

Developed in 1971 by biochemist Dr. Ida Rolf, SI blends elements of osteopathy, yoga, Feldenkrais, and homeopathy. Dr. Rolf believed that misaligned or tight connective tissue affects the body as a whole, leading to pain and restricted movement. SI uses manual pressure and guided movements to release fascia and address structural issues.

What is fascia?

Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds every muscle, organ, blood vessel, bone, tendon, ligament, and nerve fiber in the body. This network beneath the skin provides elasticity and movement while also containing its own nerve endings. When the fascia’s natural function is compromised, it can shorten, tighten, and thicken, pulling on muscles and the skeletal system, leading to misalignment, poor posture, pain, and limited mobility. SI treatments address these issues by releasing tension and stretching, loosening, and repositioning the fascia to restore its optimal function.

Who can benefit from Structural Integration?

Whether we sit at a desk all day, push our limits in sports and activity,, or begin to feel the signs of aging, compromised connective tissue can affect all of us. The fascia can tighten, shorten, and thicken due to a number of reasons, including:

• Stress and trauma
• Physical injury
• Work-related strain
• Repetitive movements
• Poor posture
• Aging
• Prolonged athletic performance

This can lead to chronic pain, discomfort, fatigue, and stiffness, often impacting mood as well. When the body is realigned, these issues can subside, improving physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Structural Integration, like chiropractic and yoga, treats the whole person by naturally aligning the physical structure in partnership with the client.

The Ten-session series

A typical Structural Integration program consists of 10 to 13 sessions, allowing your practitioner to systematically address your personal habits, alignment, movement patterns, and goals, with each session building on the previous one. A variety of hands-on fascial manipulation techniques are used, applying different levels of pressure similar to deep tissue massage, along with guided movements. However, SI differs from traditional massage by systematically balancing structural integrity in segments and layers throughout the series.

Each individual’s path to well-being is unique, and you may opt for individual sessions as needed or desired. Regardless of what brings you to this journey, Structural Integration Therapy can help you find ease in your body, enhance body awareness, and improve overall well-being.

Visit my Bio to learn more about my personal experience with Structural Integration.