Structural Integration Sessions: How Much Time is Needed Between Treatment?

by | Sep 26, 2013 | Structural Integration

We’ve been fielding a lot of questions regarding the recommended length of time between structural integration sessions. Here’s a quick article here to help you learn more about the process and expectations surrounding treatment gaps as well as an opportunity to take advantage of our free consultation to learn more about how structural integration can help you.

Structural integration treatments generally consist of 10 sessions, each lasting about 60-90 minutes in length.

Sessions should be spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart, and plan to allow an hour and a half for your first session then 75 minutes for each following appointment. However, your structural integration session goals, the intensity of the day’s work, health history, and initial energy level are just a few factors your rolf practitioner will consider when determining precise session length.

Dr. Ida Rolf, the creator of structural integration and founder of the Rolf Institute, conceptualized the idea of the human body structure consisting of a two-layer system.

The 1st layer or “core”, is the inner layer related to gravity, and the 2nd layer is referred to as the “sleeve” or the outer layer which aids the body in conducting voluntary actions. We begin with the 10 structural integration sessions working from the outer superficial layers of the body until we get into the deeper fascial layers. Each session focuses on a particular area of the body to free restrictions and creates greater flexibility and a more balanced body overall.Einstein and other physicists claimed that gravity is not simply a force that we are subject to, we are in participation every day through movement, and those movements are our adaptation. What this means is each structural integration session is unique to different body types given their particular field of gravity and therefore requires a unique treatment plan.

After each of your structural integration sessions, integrative awareness exercises prescribed to you. These exercises are performed to enhance your newly found freedom of improved balance and flexibility.

Through the use of deep tissue manipulation and the movement aspect of structural integration work, the rolf method brings a deeper awareness necessary for continual change and brings you closer to a unified relationship to gravity.

Subsequent to a period of integration, specialized or advanced treatment sessions are available. An “enhance” session is recommended every six months. Refresher or tune-up sessions such as these help your body recall the changes you experienced during your first 10 structural integration sessions.

Advanced sessions can be customized to any sport-specific need including: pilates, weight lifting, golf, and yoga to name a few.

Now, to align yourself with better posture and begin feeling your best be sure to contact Rolf practitioner, Bruce Matsuno, for your free consultation and feel how structural integration can begin helping you.