Named after its founder, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, Rolfing Structural Integration is a form of bodywork that reorganizes the connective tissues, called fascia, that permeate the entire body.

More than fifty years ago, Dr. Rolf recognized that the body is inherently a system of seamless networks of tissues rather than a collection of separate parts. These connective tissues surround, support and penetrate all of the muscles, bones, nerves and organs. Rolfing Structural Integration works on this web-like complex of connective tissues to release, realign and balance the whole body.

Essentially, the Rolfing process enables the body to regain the natural integrity of its form, thus enhancing postural efficiency and your freedom of movement.

Fascia is a sheath, or sheet of connective tissue that forms beneath the skin to attach, enclose and separate other muscles and internal organs.

The fascial system consists of a three-dimensional continuum, of soft, collagen containing, loose and dense fibrous connective tissue that permeates the body. The fascial system surrounds, interweaves between and interpenetrates all organs, bones, muscles and nerve fibers, endowing the body with a fuctional structure and providing an environment that enables all body systems to operate in an integrated manner.

When healthy, it is pliable and slippery. This allows the tissues to slide easily when we move. When fascia thickens or hardens, it puts tension on joints and other muscles which produces compensation, imbalance and less freedom in movement.

In 1920, Ida Pauline Rolf received her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. Despite the resistance she faced as a woman in the field of science, she furthered her knowledge of the body through research in organic chemistry at the Rockefeller Institute. Driven to find solutions to her own health problems as well as those of her two sons, she spent many years studying and experimenting with different systems of healing and manipulation.

Throughout most of her life she was intrigued with and explored many forms of alternative healing including homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic and yoga. The notion that proper alignment, physiologic function and anatomical structure are related is the basis of many of these healing methods. Dr. Rolf agreed that the body functions best when the bony segments are in proper alignment. She added her observations that lasting improvement in alignment and an overall sense of well-being required a closer look at the effects of gravity on our bodies. She believed that the imbalances in structure placed demands on the body’s pervasive network of soft tissues: muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments, thereby creating compensations throughout the body structure.

Dr. Rolf posed this fundamental question: “What conditions must be fulfilled in order for the human body-structure to be organized and integrated in gravity so that the whole person can function in the most optimal and economical way?” Her life’s work was devoted to this investigation which led to the system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that we now call Rolfing. In order to pass along her work to others and to make the education process accessible, she developed an expedient series of ten sessions, which came to be known as the Ten Series.

Dr. Rolf continues to be recognized as a pioneer and leader in soft tissue manipulation and movement education. Since her death in 1979 at the age of 83, the Rolf Institute® of Structural Integration has continued to share her work by certifying Rolfers and Rolf Movement® Practitioners, supporting research, and building upon her inspiration. Today, there are more than 1,550 Rolfers and Rolf Movement Practitioners worldwide.

a Rolfer uses mild, direct pressure to melt or release fascial holdings and allow the body to find health through the re-establishment of balance. It is currently believed that the slow, deep strokes of Rolfing SI stimulate intra-fascial mechanoreceptors (sensory neurons of the muscle nerve), which in turn trigger the nervous system to reduce the tension of the related muscles and fascia.

Put another way, Rolfing SI allows the brain and nervous system to “re-boot” areas of the body that are receiving too much electrical stimulation (chronically tight or sore muscles). Once a healthy level of muscle contraction is established, the person’s entire structure is free to express a pain-free form.

There is no need for Rolfing to be painful.

When some people think of Rolfing Structural Integration, one of the first words that come to their mind is pain. Often, this perception is based on anecdotal accounts of sessions performed during Rolfing SI's infancy, when it tended to be a less subtle and more intense discipline, frequently linked to popular emotionally intense types of therapies in the late 1960s and early 70s.

The distinction between pain and intensity is key. Pain is unhelpful in a Rolfing session because the experience of pain causes a client to contract the tissues and withdraw from touch. A client’s feedback is highly valued and the pressure of touch is something that is an ongoing agreement between practitioner and client.

Most people have areas in their body which have harboured tension for extended periods. The tissue from a years-old injury can be dry and gristly and the area can feel sensitive to the touch. Rolfing practitioners do not shy away from such areas because we know that we can help in many cases. A Rolfing session is an excellent opportunity to rehydrate the tissues of an old injury and release the chronic tension and discomfort.

The pacing of the touch affects the client’s experience. Rolfers are trained to prepare the superficial fascial layers before going into the deeper muscle groups, ligaments and membranes. In Rolfing parlance we organise the superficial ‘sleeve’ before the ‘core’ as the Series progresses. Each intervention should be carefully calibrated in accordance with the type of tissue being contacted.

Most importantly, we are working together. Open communication and dialogue is most important to ensure you are not in discomfort.

Underwear, swimsuits, shorts or whatever you are most comfortable in, while keeping in mind that you will want to have freedom to move throughout the session. I will also provide sheet coverage for the session as well.

$135 per session

Payment is due at the time of the service unless prior arrangements are made.

I currently accept cash, checks, credit cards, Zelle, Venmo and most HSA accounts