“Rolfing” is the trademarked term used by members of the Rolf Institute for Structural Integration to describe Dr. Rolf’s 10 session protocol. Non-alumni of the Rolf Institute that practice Dr. Rolf’s 10 or KMI 12 session protocol call their work simply Structural Integration. Some practitioners also describe Dr. Rolf’s protocol as “The Rolf method of Structural Integration” or as Dr. Ida P. Rolf's Method of Structural Integration. My school (KMI) was founded by Tom Myers who was an original student of Ida Rolf. His knowledge, experience and devotion to Ida's work have been incorporated into a fine school for the advancent of Structural Integration.

It can be. Practitioners of Structural Integration often use a lot of force in order to release (unglue) adhesions between muscles and between muscle and bone. Pain associated with releasing these adhesions can be greatly lessened when the client is actively involved in moving their own body and by breathing techniques that remind the client to let go of contracted muscles. SI practitioners vary in their philosophy about pain. Some agree that it must be painful because the techniques they learned were direct and deep to the tissues. KMI SI is greatly different in that the hands on applications are not as direct, but go as deeply into the tissues. This makes a more comfortable experience for the the client.

As a generalization most Chiropractors do little or no soft tissue mobilization (ungluing of muscle, tendons or ligaments). Chiropractic, again as a generalization, focuses primarily upon the alignment of the spine and upon easing strain upon the spinal nerves resulting from poor spinal alignment. Practitioners of Structural Integration focus upon improving a persons’ overall posture and function.

By remobilizing the body’s muscles and soft tissue layers, joints can be untwisted, bones can and will shift their positions and long term structural imbalances can be resolved.

Structural Integration is defined by a 10 or 12-session organizational protocol, not by the techniques the individual practitioner utilizes. There are many techniques a practitioner can utilize to release the body’s muscle and soft tissue layers.

What sets Structural Integration apart is its unique organizational viewpoint.

Clients often come into my practice with specific requests. My shoulder is not working right, a back problem or even sore feet. I often apply SI techniques to help with specific problems. And people do get better. I would like to stress one point. More often than not the problem area was just the indicator for a deeper more bodywide problem with posture or perhaps a distantly related injury. Yes, I can help relieve the painful site in perhaps a few sessions, but I would really like to help correct the cause that is likely deeply rooted in your posture. I however will work aggressively to meet your requests.

The first few days after a session are usually the time of greatest change. Somewhat like the first day after heavy excercise, you may feel a bit sore the next day. After that you may experience ongoing shifts in balance and awareness. Most people experience feelings of lightness and improved comfort and ease of movement.

Sessions are scheduled using the following priority: 1 week minimum to 3 weeks depending on how well you do after your first session; then your budget ; and finally time slots available. To get the most from your sessions, you should establish  a regular pattern that feels right for you. Each session is a building block for the next session, and keeping a momentum is important --- but I must say its not mandatory. I simply want you to get the best experience possible.