Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who gets Structural Integration?
  2. Why get Structural Integration?
  3. Are there psychological benefits to SI?
  4. Do I have to do a whole series?
  5. What are the benefits of Structural Integration?
  6. How is our posture determined?
  7. What will happen in a session?
  8. Structural Integration and Rolfing ®?

Who gets Structural Integration?

SI is a very personal process, each person arrives with their own unique set of circumstances and their own history. Therefore the reasons tend to be just as varied. SI is suitable for people of all ages including babies and children.

Why get Structural Integration?

To be rid of chronic pain or a repetitive strain injuries such as bad backs, chronic knee pain or shoulder dysfunction. To help rehabilitation after a car accident or other physical trauma. To relieve stiffness in the body. To improve mobility and flexibility. To increase energy and general vitality. Fashion models and people in the public eye use it to help with improving posture and appearance. Athletes, dancers and yoga practitioners use SI to help reduce incidence of injury and increase their potential

Are there psychological benefits to SI?

Whereas SI is principally concerned with the physical structure of the body and it’s relationship to the gravitational field, there have been some observable psychological changes in people who have been through a series of SI. When the body becomes at ease with the gravitational field the person is effected profoundly, but this will mean something different for each person.

What I have noticed in my private practice is that people seem to come to this work in times of change in their lives, that change may be in their career, their belief system, or their personal lives etc. Structural Integration is concerned with deep and far reaching change in the body it is worth noting the comparison to people’s lives during the series.

Do I have to do a whole series?

No. Whereas the ultimate goal of SI is to stand the body up in alignment with gravity the session(s) can be geared towards relief of a specific problem or working towards a client’s individual goal. In terms of the whole series it is worth trying the first three sessions to see if SI is for you, then making a decision. Some clients may wish to extend their work beyond the ten sessions, this is also possible. Ultimately a good relationship between the practitioner and the client will be able to produce an agreeable solution.

What will happen in a session?

At the beginning of the series the person will be asked about their physical history, their reasons for coming to have SI and what they expect to get out of the series.

At the beginning of each session the practitioner and the client will discuss the previous session, its impact and feeling generated within the body. The practitioner will then conduct a structural assessment, looking at the person from all four sides to determine the direction of the next session. The work is conducted with the person in their underwear, males in shorts or swimming trunks, females in underwear and a bra or a two piece swimsuit. Blankets are available if you feel bashful or vulnerable.

During the session the practitioner will hold or draw attention to specific areas in the body, the person will be asked to produce movements or bring breath into a certain area in order to help realign the fascia. Sometimes a feeling of ‘letting go’ or warmth can be felt in the area being worked on, each person experiences something different.

At the close of the session the practitioner will conduct another structural assessment, the person will be asked to give some feedback and some movement or postural advice may be given.

Structural Integration and Rolfing®

SI and Rolfing ® are extremely similar. There are two schools that teach Dr Ida P Rolf’s method of work, one is the Rolf Institute and the other is Guild of Structural Integration. Students who go to the Rolf Institute are the only ones allowed to call themselves Certified Rolfers®, those who go to the GSI are not permitted to do this. Both schools have strong links to Dr Ida P Rolf and her teachings with the Guild being the more traditional one. To a person receiving sessions from either a certified Rolfer® or a SI practitioner the difference would be imperceptible.