Structural Integration is a process of manipulating the skeletal muscles and their connective tissues (called myofascial tissue) to improve the body's alignment - balancing a person's posture and structure. It also educates the client on patterns that inhibit movement and provides the means to change them through muscle manipulation and instruction.
The therapy
Over a series of 10 sessions, a Rolfer manipulates the body's outer and core connective tissues. The outer tissues are called 'sleeve' tissues. They are the ones visible in a mirror, such as the biceps, triceps and quads. The core tissues, which are closest to the axial skeleton, give the body posture and do not tire easily.
Stretching the tissues creates a vacuum between them, effectively separating tissues that have clung onto each other for support. This gives the tissues more space to move, which allows bodily fluids to flow more freely and nutrients from food to be absorbed more easily.
The benefits
The results are mostly physical. Pain is eased and the client has more energy because the body is being used in an ergonomic way.