Structural Integration (most commonly known as Rolfing) is a process of re-education and alignment of the body through movement and touch. The primary focus is to facilitate the relationship between the human body and gravity. By releasing tension throughout the body it is possible to create greater balance and ease of motion.
To achieve these goals Nicholas uses his hands and elbows to manipulate the tissue. This sounds painful and it can be, but don’t worry. Nicholas is always looking for and listening to feedback from clients as to their level of comfort during the session. If the client is unable to relax during the session then the tissue will also be less likely to release. Open communication is the key to a comfortable, effective treatment. Every client has a different perspective on pain and each session is built around the individual client.
Structural Integration was developed by Dr. Ida Rolf in response to her idea that the body’s aches and pains arose from basic imbalances in posture and alignment. These imbalances are created and reinforced over time by gravity and learned responses among muscles and fascia — the sheath-like connective tissue that surrounds and binds muscles together. Structural Integration developed as a way to relieve the body of pain.
The focus on manipulating fascia is part of what distinguishes Rolfing from chiropractics, which deals primarily with skeletal manipulation, and from therapeutic massage, which focuses primarily on muscle.