The Framework of the Ten-Series

Structural Integration, also referred to as Rolfing®, is a system that utilizes fascial and muscular palpation, to align and balance the physical body within its gravitational field by freeing and reorganizing the myofascial, or connective tissue, that surrounds the muscles. Dr. Ida Rolf discovered that the body is organized in layers and that in order to create lasting change, the Structural Integration Series must create length and space in the outermost layers before working with deeper, more core layers in the body. Structural Integration is a ‘system’ of ten sessions. The first three sessions are called “The Sleeve Sessions” and address the superficial fascia layers, the middle four sessions are called “The Core Sessions” and address the deeper myofascial structures, and the last three sessions are called “The Integration Sessions” and create structural and functional adaptability within the whole body. 

Each and every client is different, and while there is a general recipe that we are following, every session is unique to each client. With each session we are working with a client’s reported symptoms and problems as well as looking to see how other areas of the body can be contributing to a heightened or over-sensitized nervous system and locked-down, hypertonic tissues.

Here are how the sessions work with each other and build upon each other. We want to solve the problem and not just treat the symptom.

SLEEVE SESSSIONS (1-3)

Session 1: The Hour of Breath and Introduction to Rolfing

One of the main goals of the first session is to help the client achieve easier and more efficient breathing. 

By beginning to soften and free the shoulder girdle from the rib cage it allows for the rib cage to move with less stress and effort. Effortless breathing in and out can have a huge impact on every aspect of the rest of the body. Increased oxygenation is the key to a more efficient being in every capacity. 

As the big bulky muscles of the shoulder girdle soften their grip on the rib cage, the neck and mid back move with greater ease and resiliency.

Another goal of the first session is to begin establishing a more functional and level pelvis. As the pelvis loses its ability to function and move effortlessly, this causes compensation and contraction through the remainder of the body.

We can look at session 1 as the preparation phase of a construction site, or the prep work in the kitchen.

Session 2: The Hour of the Feet and Legs

Here we begin to lay the foundation. What happens at the feet, transfer up the entire structure of the body.

Helping the body re-establish more functional feet and arches allows for better movement of the knees and pelvis. As these regions are able to better move and support the pelvis, we will continue to see the pelvis and spine become more supple, functional and happy. Without a solid and functional foundation, it is hard to build a structure that can deal with the demands and stresses a person goes through on a daily basis.

At this point, the legs are encouraged to more efficiently carry the mid-body, as we begin to see the muscular structure of the back lessen its hypercontraction from the low back (lumbar) all the way up to the head (cranium). As the tissue located here becomes pliable, we are able to assist the client as they gain a better connection and understanding that the back muscles play, as they require less engaging to support the body in gravity.

Session 3: The Hour of the Quadratus Lumborum (QL)

In this hour we begin helping the client establish a better connection with the side-line of their body. Some muscles and fascia of the back can begin to migrate to other areas of the body causing the body to contract and work harder than it should.

In the third hour here we also help the client recognize which connective tissues should be where and how to begin to soften and relax the lateral line of the body so it is not teeter-tottering to and fro.

This session continues the work on the shoulder girdle that was touched on during the first hour. As the shoulder girdle continues to soften and become more organized, supple and functional; the client gains better control of their spine and torso allowing for range of motion, balance and coordination they have not had since they were teenagers.

CORE SESSSIONS (4-7)

Session 4: The Hour of the Adductors

One of the major goals of every session is to allow the pelvis to be has healthy and functional as possible. This session is the beginning of the core work.

The strong muscles on the inside of the leg that attach to the pelvis can cause a significant side-to-side imbalance of the pelvis and can contribute to the knee and foot imbalances and pain. As this inside line begins to soften, we can see the knee begin to move in its more ideal plane of motion, which allows the pelvis to function better.

Session 5: The Hour of the Psoas

The large abdominal and large upper thigh muscles work in tandem and connect to the pelvis.  These muscles can cause incredible stress and increase the sensitivity of the nervous system causing the body to contract in ways that make the spine and pelvis more rigid and less efficient.

As we work from the diaphragm to the knees, encouraging the body to soften and engage at the appropriate levels, we address the body’s front to back imbalances. As we continue through this session, people tend to experience improvement with their knees, hips, and overall back pain as well as lessened pain in the neck (cervical).

Session 6: The Hour of the Sacrum

Session 4 addressed side-to-side motion of the pelvis, session 5 addressed front to back motion of the pelvis, and now in session 6 we are working towards how the spine connects with, and fits into the pelvis.

The powerful muscles of the back pelvis (posteriorly; the glutes, hamstrings, deep hip rotators) can all cause a tremendous amount of stress and tension when they are intensely engaged in opposition of what is happening on the anterior (front) side of the body.

As we work from the foot through the calf, hamstring, pelvis, low back, mid/upper back and neck; the client begins to feel where the back side of the body has been stuck in a holding pattern in opposition to what is occurring in the front side of the body.

As the inside thigh muscles from the fourth hour and the front thigh and hip flexor muscles from the fifth hour soften, it allows the hamstrings and back side of the body to soften and come back to its more appropriate level of tension and position.

Session 7: The hour of the Head and Neck

Now that we have structurally addressed everything below the head and neck, creating much more stability, function, balance, suppleness and mobility; we begin our focus on the head and neck with our detailed neck, head, face and jaw work.

In this session we think about the relationship between the entire body below the neck and how we can then balance the head on top to complete the flow of structure and function within your body’s natural gravity..

The intricate movement of the shoulder, neck and head require one’s awareness as they improve their ability to encourage the muscles and the nervous system to soften and function to its potential.

Oftentimes people will seek out continual neck work only to experience the same issues over and over. This can often be related to contraction below the head and neck making it difficult for the head to be in a place of ease on top of the body.

INTEGRATION SESSIONS (8-10)

Sessions 8 & 9: The Balancing Sessions

In sessions 1-7, we focused on working to help our clients begin the process of differentiating the glued together, rigid, and contracted parts from one another. The nervous system and connective tissues have softened and now the body can move with more ease and less restriction.

In these sessions, we continue by assisting the client through balance, connecting the upper body and lower body together. In one session we will focus on balancing and relating the upper girdle to middle and in the other session we will do the same for the lower girdle. As we find balance in both sessions, we begin to kinetically assist the client as they become aware of their physical body in gravity. By placing the client in various positions on the table, seated bench and while standing, we continue to support and encourage the nervous system to understand that it can move and function without so much hypertonicity (too much tone in the muscles) and contracture (shortening of muscles).

Session 10: The Hour of the Joints

Session 10 is the close of the session series, which allows our clients have the capacity now to move effortlessly and freely in and around their joints. Gradually over time, as a body and nervous system become compressed and immovable, it can cause the connective tissues to lock out joints; decreasing a person’s ability to move easily and effortlessly.

At this point in the series the client moves with increased balance, coordination, ease and grace. As we close out the final stage of our 10 series, as we have throughout the series, we send our clients with the knowledge of self-care tools to encourage them to proactively address issues as they happen.