FAQ

After a thorough intake, the session begins with the therapist evaluating your structure and movement patterns while standing. Most clients receive the work in shorts (men / women) and sports-bra for women. Other options are available too.  These include tank-top for women, athletic shorts, or longer athletic pants such as yoga pants.

While you are lying on a manual therapy table, the Rolfer uses hands, fingers, and arms to apply slow, specific pressure to different parts of your body. The goal is to begin easing restrictions in the connective tissue and realign the body. In addition, you may also be asked to make small, synchronized movements with your limbs or to “breath into the area” being worked.

Sessions often close with some form of movement education, such as developing supported sitting posture, refining the walking gait, or working on specific stretches or being taught a brief home exercise program. 

Other more athletic activities might be worked on to improve movement quality depending on your goals.  Remember, Movement Education strategies, private Pilates lessons and online mat Pilates classes are also encouraged to facilitate the changes occurring during the Ten Series.

Causing pain is not the goal in Rolfing SI sessions and pressure/techniques are modified for client tolerance.  Nothing is forced and skillful Rolfing should never feel sharp, painful, or invasive. Often, if discomfort occurs, many clients will describe it as a "good hurt" that the body needs or wants. Others say Rolfing SI significantly reduces the pain experienced in their daily lives or increases athletic functioning.

Much of the reputation for pain came from the early days of Rolfing, during the 1970’s, when Rolfing was first gaining public recognition. Since that time, the process from a Certified Rolfer® has greatly evolved.  Evidence based practices continue this drive, as in all health professions, and the evolution of Rolfing SI techniques applied to evidence based science.  The process of a Rolfer working deep is not so much about applying pressure- as other techniques can be utilized to gently access deeper myofascial layers.  Remember the work is a process and involves 10-12 sessions over time.  

As far as the actual experience is concerned, the area being worked will vary in sensation and feeling depending upon the severity of chronic stress, injuries, and other factors specific to your body. Feelings can range from pleasurable release to some discomfort. Fortunately, the work proceeds at your level and pace. While some discomfort may be noted it usually subsides rather quickly. 

Rolfing SI requires client participation to facilitate structural changes verses being a passive modality often associated with massage. You may be asked to “breath” into tissue to help it release, explore movement or movement patterns, make small movements under the practitioner’s hands, and stretch from a place being worked.  Exploration of functional movement is often introduced.  In addition, Pilates equipment may be utilized to further facilitate manual therapy approaches during Rolfing SI.

Rolfing proceeds slowly and deliberately giving time to relax into the pressure.  After the first session, clients often comment that the work was nothing like they expected it would be, and most people are surprised at how gentle and good it feels as well as how much it benefits them!

Rolfing® SI offers long term relief and changes in posture that can be evident through individual client photos.  Physiology explains that our bodies are constantly breaking down and rebuilding themselves and our bodies determine how to build themselves based on the weight and stress that is distributed through the structure.

Rolfing SI works to loosen, lengthen, hydrate, create elasticity in the body, reorganize connective tissue and affects relationships between structures changing strain patterns. This allows the body to remodel/rebuild itself a bit differently over time and is how Rolfing affects structure over the long-term.  Pilates for Structural Integration helps this process. 

Believe it or not, structure keeps changing after the ten-series (a phenomenon so common that Rolfer’s® have named post-series months, the "eleventh session”). Photographs taken of clients long after the Basic Ten-Series often still show changes remaining present. Pilates and Movement Education supports these changes through teaching clients more efficient movement patterns, strength, flexibility, posture, and bodily awareness.

Sessions are scheduled at 75-90 minutes for appointment length.  Some factors that Rolfer’s consider when determining session length are intensity of the day’s work, health history, client energy level and ability to integrate work.

Most clients schedule sessions about one or two weeks apart, although depending on schedule and financial considerations, sessions can be spaced up to a month apart.   

Another option is to do the series in chunks, if necessary. For example, taking a break after session Three, Seven, and or Ten within the Ten Series is acceptable. If you have to break between sessions, it is recommended to do these sessions fairly close together (1-3, 4-7, 8-10).

Most clients receive work in their shorts and sports bra. Boxer briefs are preferable to boxers for men; athletic shorts and sports bra work well for women. If you're not comfortable with this stage of undress, other options are available: A pair of loose-fitting, short, cotton gym shorts, or yoga-type stretchy shorts are good options.

When considering clothing it is important to note that whatever you decide to wear needs to show the contour of your body.  Color does hide contours with black showing the lease amount image.

We can work with a variety of clothing, just keep the following in mind:

• You must be comfortable. Unlike massage, you will remain clothed and you may be required to get up from the table and walk around periodically.
• Clothing should not pinch or bind. Ideally, you should be able to lie on the table and pull one knee to your chest without resistance.
• Clothing should allow us to view and work around your upper legs, mid-back, and neck. Please do not wear hip-hop or longer shorts. Sports bras are more difficult to navigate around the mid-back but still can work well.  Please be sure that there is minimal strapping in the back.
• Avoid heavy lycra. Bicycle shorts, girdles, and other garments containing lycra are nearly impossible to work through.  Try to avoid any slippery athletic long pant or shirt as these make for technique usage very difficult.
• During participation of Pilates exercises please do not wear clothing with zippers, snaps, buttons, rhinestones or anything else that may cause puncture or tearing of upholstery.

It’s also a good idea to bring additional work-out clothes (shorts and a tee-shirt) if we want to incorporate stretches using yoga mats, balance balls, Pilates equipment or other training equipment.

Photos are not required but help to show the structural changes that are occurring.  Photos serve as a before and after visual reference for how posture changed over the course of the Rolfing Ten Series.  

For clients who are concerned with privacy, it is recommended that they use their own camera (cell phone) to record and store photos which will be kept for themselves.  Client privacy will always be respected but Whole Body Kinetics may use before-after photos for marketing and promotional purposes.  Any distinguishing forms of identification such as face or tattoos will be blurred out.  If you do not wish to have photos used in marketing or for promotional purposes you may use your own phone to store them. 

Long-term positive change takes time and your body did not get to where it is overnight. Helping it find a new way to be will take some time too. Each Rolfing® SI session works different areas with different structural goals in mind and for specific reasons.

Often, you will feel and even see changes as soon as you are off the table. But the time between sessions is just as powerful as your body will need to integrate changes initiated during each session.  These changes may be noticed in greater range of motion in the shoulder, a shifted pelvic angle, improved foot flexibility or tolerance to walking and sitting to name a few.

During this time, the body is adapting to new neurological pathways for movement and awareness and developing renewed, more comfortable / natural, movement patterns. This is also allowing for excellent opportunity to participate in Movement Education and Pilates which will help to facilitate the changes generated in Rolfing SI.

Plan to come in for the first session and see how you respond to the work. Most people notice results between one to session three. Session three is the last of the “superficial” sessions before addressing deeper structural layers and is a natural place to stop if you need to. There are also opportunities to pause during the ten series if the need arises. These are spaced out after session three, after session seven and after session ten (3, 7, &10). If you do plan to continue, it is recommended to make a commitment to completing the series within the next six months.

• Some clients may only decide to complete a certain part of the Ten Series such as the superficial layers (Session1-3).
• There may be some clients who have specific needs or goals and require a modified series that only addresses those. They may require a “mini-series” consisting of approximately 3-5 sessions.
• Other clients may view Rolfing as an important way of maintaining their bodies and come in for regular "tune ups / maintenance". This is more common among athletes, runners, dancers, adults with scoliosis and heavy computer / tech users.
• Some clients decide to use Rolfing to ease muscle soreness and promote relaxation in their bodies instead of massage.
• Other clients take a break for several months after the ten-series and then request a post ten series. Generally, these continued sessions are three-five sessions long, focusing on specific goals.
• Some clients call when they experience additional injuries, accidents, after childbirth, during life changing events or when "something feels amiss."
• Clients who have received the Rolfing SI series and continue with Pilates at Whole Body Kinetics have the additional option to receive a quick 10-15 minute Manual Therapy “tune-up” prior to Pilates.

Different from massage, which focuses on relaxation and relief of muscle discomfort, Rolfing® SI works to improve body alignment, organization, movement, functional and spatial awareness in orientation to gravity. 

Rather than focusing on areas presenting with tension, Rolfer’s create overall ease and balance throughout the whole structure. Rolfing SI affects posture and structure over the long-term with lasting benefits.  Chronic strain patterns are alleviated as structure becomes more organized thus allowing for improved integration of extremities into spinal column and mobility.

Rolfing SI is not related to massage therapy.  It was developed by Ida Rolf stemming from her own research and from an osteopathic lineage, not massage.  Rolfing is intended for different purposes- with different goals than massage therapy. The education is separate and differs then compared to massage therapy.  Continuing education is distinctly different then massage therapy.  The goals in Rolfing are to improve structural support and leave the body more balanced in gravity.  Many of the benefits that massage therapy helps to create such as muscle relaxation are also achieved in Rolfing.  In addition to the similarities accomplished with massage, Rolfing leads to longer term benefits as it provides improved structural organization of the body and postural support in movement.  Just as physical therapy differs from massage therapy, so too does Rolfing Structural Integration.   

When the body, skeleton and joints are aligned properly, the muscles work more efficiently and stress on the musculoskeletal system is reduced significantly.  This leads to a similar relaxed feeling you experience after receiving a massage but the results in Rolfing SI last longer due to the structurally integrative changes that have been worked on to achieve during the Rolfing Ten Series.

Rolfing SI, Movement Education and Pilates help to speed recovery from injury by reducing stiffness and muscle tension, reducing pain, and improving movement around joints.  Whole Body Kinetics will address both the injury and secondary pain patterns that may have developed from favoring the injury.

If you are not sure, try one session so that you get a good idea of what the work is about, what it feels like, and whether or not you connect with your practitioner. 

In general, most people find the process enjoyable as well as beneficial and will know whether Rolfing SI will benefit them by session three.

Rolfing® SI was developed by and named after Dr. Ida P. Rolf.  She received her Ph.D. from Columbia University in Biochemistry in 1920. 

While working at the Rockefeller Institute, Ida Rolf continued with her knowledge of the body through scientific developments in organic chemistry until she left to help a family member with health problems.

In the search for solutions for this family member she began to examine many systems that addressed effects of structure and function.  These included osteopathy, chiropractic, yoga, scientific research, and her experience with Biochemistry that led to the theory and practice of Rolfing.  Currently there are less than 2,500 Certified Rolfer’s ® throughout the world.  

We are seeing the number of Certified Rolfer’s grow and the profession as a whole has blossomed into Structural Integration with a board certification process through the International Association of Structural Integration (IASI).  The original Structural Integrators called themselves “Rolfers” but over the last several decades there have been other Structural Integration schools that have opened and developed their own educational focus.  Each school is based on Ida Rolf’s original concept of Structural Integration and contributes additional concepts of the work.  IASI supports research associated with Rolfing and Structural Integration and unifies the profession as a whole.

Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates who began developing a prototype of Pilates called Contrology in the early 20th Century.  After opening a studio in New York City with his wife Clara, he began to work with Dancers from the New York Ballet as well as boxers and other individuals further developing his exercise system into what is called Pilates today. 

Pilates is similar to yoga in the whole body approach to awareness and the development of the mind, but also focuses more specifically on core strengthening and correction of structural imbalances with relationship to alignment.  

Pilates has been used by many people to restore muscle imbalances and acquire more efficient movement patterns. Pilates is also an excellent method of rehabilitation and functional exercise.  Pilates is a system of exercises using specialized apparatus, springs and other equipment that is designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, endurance, posture, self-awareness, self-image, structural alignment, balance, and mental focus.

Polestar Pilates was designed by Brent Anderson, DPT and has been used by physical therapists and other certified Pilates Teachers and utilized in the PT context.  Polestar Pilates is rehabilitative at its very core and is supported by science and evidence based methodology.  Brendan Gibbs is a Polestar Pilates graduate and where he focuses the majority of his continuing education at.  In addition, Brendan is honored to have done mentorships with Pilates Elders such as Mary Bowen who learned Pilates directly from Joe and Clara themselves. 

The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) oversees the Pilates profession and national certification process of Pilates Teachers from the many various schools and training programs.

The key to Rolfing SI is movement! Movement! Movement! Movement Education usually lasting about 30 additional minutes after each 90 minute Rolfing session.  This time consists of movement strategies that improve ergonomics, body mechanics, integration of Rolfing manual therapy session progression and sensory stimulation or challenge sensory perception.  Movement Education may also include flexibility, strengthening and or Pilates exercises to improve core strength, postural deviations, impairments related to injury and enhance overall well-being.  Movement Education is helpful to integrate the changes occurring throughout the Rolfing Series and should be practiced between sessions.  

Rolfing encourages the body to improve alignment and balance of skeletal structures in relationship to muscles.  Pilates encourages the muscle memory associated with supporting the stability of these structures in movement.  Both Rolfing and Pilates help to improve spatial awareness and movement memory and to enhance control of movement, coordination, timing of muscle activation of whole body movement or Whole Body Kinetics.

The use of spring loaded resistance Pilates apparatus facilitates spine stabilizers in all the planes of motion.  This stabilization creates a healthy and efficient movement pattern by organizing the posture of the client.  Pilates also helps to improve strength and flexibility and integrate extremities (arms and legs) to the spine.  Flexible structures that have stability are able to resist greater multidirectional tension forces thereby improving posture, ROM, structural integrity, stability of joints and spine and reduced risk of injury.  

To boost your experience in receiving the  Rolfing Ten Series it is also recommended to take in a few Private Pilates sessions during the course of Rolfing, in addition to Movement Education.  Once the Rolfing series is completed, weekly online group mat Pilates classes are an economic way to maintain lasting changes from a more generalized core fitness perspective.  Practicing Pilates regularly creates changes in posture, flexibility / tone, structure, and bodily awareness. 

Overall, Movement Education and Pilates help the Rolfing 10 Series by enhancing and refining your movement patterns that are directly affecting your structural alignment and wellness.

The American Physical Therapy Association, Chiropractic and Osteopathic Medicine recognize Rolfing SI for its usage of myofascial release and Polestar Pilates for its physical rehabilitation benefits.  The organizations that represent MD's, nurses, etc. do not take any formal positions on Rolfing SI or Pilates, just as they do not take formal positions on other types of complementary health care.

However, when Rolfing SI is understood by these practitioners, it is generally well received. One primary reason for this is that Rolfing SI and Pilates are based on Western concepts of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology and are accepted by physicians and other medical professionals. Many doctors of osteopathy, chiropractors and physical therapists embrace fascial manipulation (the cornerstone of Rolf SI) as a significant factor in joint mobilization.

Psychologists, professional counselors, and therapists will often recommend Rolfing SI and other forms of bodywork to help ground one’s self in their body.  Rolfing SI, various forms of bodywork and massage therapy may be helpful for those suffering with PTSD, anxiety, traumatic experiences as a form of stress management and pain reduction. Pilates is also a method of movement and exercise which offers benefits similar to yoga does.  Both Rolfing SI and Pilates work to improve physical patterns and may contribute to an individual’s perception of one’s physical capabilities. 

As recently as March 2018, the medical community is now beginning to recognize the fascial system in terms of its physiological functions.  As a whole, the fascia system- termed the interstitium by the medical community, serves many functions including structural support and modeling, housing of sensory nerve tissue (proprioceptors), fluid transport, shock absorption, and support of the immune system- among others.

Rolfing SI, Polestar Pilates, chiropractic, massage therapy and physical therapy can be mutually beneficial when combined together.

Chiropractic addresses subluxation in the skeletal system to restore joint and nerve function. Rolfing SI improves joint alignment by manipulating the tissues that hold bones — and everything else — in place. If adjustments do not seem to be holding as long as you would like, there is a good chance the connective tissue could be contributing along with muscle imbalances supporting the spine. 

Rolfing SI also works well in the physical therapy context also and may help to achieve rehabilitation goals. It is particularly beneficial to continue with a high quality post-rehab maintenance program provided at Whole Body Kinetics. Brendan has over 20 years of experience as a licensed physical therapy professional and can continue to help you after you have been discharged from PT services.   

It is highly encouraged to remain in communication with chiropractors, physical therapists, psychologists, therapists, or counselors, as well as with other health care providers, during the Rolfing Ten Series. 

With your approval, Whole Body Kinetics can work directly with your health care team to provide work that supports and promotes current treatment plans.  Additionally, Rolfing SI can contribute to how fascial organization may be affecting your condition, an important factor that is often overlooked.  

Rolfing can complement Acupuncture very well. Consider structural support and postural organization and how it can apply to meridian lines. For example, if the goal of acupuncture is to help improve communication along the Lung Meridian Line, we might be able to understand how restoring shoulder girdle organization from a forward rounded posture would support those goals.

Further, it is theorized that Acupuncture and Rolfing SI use the fascia system as a focal point in treatments. Because fascia is organized as a whole body connection from head to toe, storage of interstitial fluids of the body and is highly innervated with sensory nerves, these modalities have a direct effect on the nervous system. This is particularly true as it pertains to the part of the nervous system that controls “Fight-Flight / Rest-Digest” that can have an impact on how we respond to stress.  

There is some supporting evidence that the Meridian Lines use the same lines along fascial - kinetic chains that support movement.  Movement modalities such as Pilates, yoga, Tia Chi & Qi Gong have a “flossing” effect through fascial layers as they slide / glide over one another that, over time, allow for layers of muscle to function independently from each other- that is without getting stuck, dehydrated or adhered. These mind-body movement systems tend to circulate the fluid that supports the fascial matrix on a whole-body scale and excite the sensory nerves within the fascia network that monitor how we feel our spatial surroundings.

Misalignment in mandibular (lower jaw) positioning and/or faulty TMJ mechanics (joints associated with chewing, talking, opening / closing of mouth) can cause muscle imbalances that contribute to mis-alignments in the neck and elsewhere.

Furthermore, structural imbalances in the cervical vertebrae (neck) positioning can cause muscle imbalances that contribute to faulty TMJ mechanics. Many people who experience headaches or migraines have tightness associated with the TMJ.

TMJ dysfunction is characterized by pain and popping in the jaw which may be recognized by your dentist during routine exam or fitting for mouth guard. Rolfing SI helps restore proper head and jaw alignment (Session Seven) to remove postural stress that is often the driving cause behind mechanical mis-tracking of these joints.

The masseter and pterygoid muscles are highly innervated muscles so a gentle approach to releasing any protective holding is taken.

While Rolfing SI is primarily concerned with structural modifications, any change in the physical body can have an effect on the whole person.  A naturally restored ease in posture may be accompanied with a boost of self-confidence and change in body language (accounting for 90% of nonverbal communication). 

Psychologists, professional counselors, and therapists will often recommend Rolfing SI and other forms of bodywork to help ground one’s self in their body.  Rolfing SI, various forms of bodywork and massage therapy may be helpful for those suffering with PTSD, anxiety, traumatic experiences as a form of stress management and pain reduction. Pilates is also a method of movement and exercise which offers benefits similar to yoga does.  Both Rolfing SI and Pilates work to improve physical patterns and may contribute to an individual’s perception of one’s physical capabilities. 

A shift in structure may also alter your perceptions of how you relate to the world.  Sometimes this is physical experience, as when your head is more balanced over your torso more easily, thus changing your line of sight.  Just as often, changes are less physical but just as profound. 

For example, after a session, you might feel you’ve “let go of something” and can work with an old fear in a new way.  Rolfing SI sometimes helps people access patterns of holding that are emotional as well as physical. 

Some people will have more profound changes in this regard than others.  As such, Rolfing SI is an excellent complement to psychotherapy and other personal development work. Be sure to tell your therapist of your involvement with the Rolfing SI Ten Series.

Nonverbal body language accounts for 90% of our communication.  Because Rolfing SI works to improve alignment and posture coupled with the strength benefits of Pilates, clients often express improved self-image and confidence. 

Consider two individuals during a job interview with similar education, references, and employment history where one candidate stands / sits tall with well-organized posture and the other with slumped shoulders and poor posture.  Who do you think will be offered the job first? 

Both Rolfing SI and Pilates will allow you to stand taller and move with much greater ease.  Your body will use energy much more efficiently and therefore you will have more energy for other things like self-expression, mental focus, mental clarity, mental and physical endurance or just living life to the fullest. 

A key point is to stand straighter not just taller, have better posture, move more expressively and efficiently WITHOUT EFFORT!  Another key point to the work is specially to have more energy to do the things you love doing!!!

This is accomplished through the brain’s interpretation of information by stimulating neurological communication through neuro-muscular reeducation. (Connecting the mind and the body)

Stimulating our brains in this capacity is far more potent compared to intellectual processes such as working out cross-word puzzles.  In other words, your body is the puzzle and it takes movement to put the pieces together!  This supports the evidence surrounding exercise as an insulator to aging.

Although you should avoid intense workouts the day of a session, movement is key to gaining the rewards of Rolfing SI.  Balance and coordination can be temporarily affected as your structure is changing, and time is needed to integrate changes. 

Pilates, yoga, Tia Chi, Qi Gong, Alexander Method, Feldenkrais, Rolf Movement, walking/hiking, biking, and swimming, are examples of ideal exercises to participate in.  However, functional athletic goals related to dance, musical performance, performing arts, golf, tennis, running, cycling, etc. are encouraged also and should be included for those who participate in these recreational or athletic activities. 

Whole Body Kinetics encourages movement modalities but primarily focuses on private Pilates sessions using various apparatus equipment and online group mat Pilates classes with intention to help keep muscle, bones, and fascia healthy. 

In addition, a brief home exercise program is typically issued to maximize the changes being made during the series. These corrective core exercises can be performed independently of / or prior to any exercise routine.

Athletes routinely use Rolfing SI and Pilates to rehabilitate from injuries and to address the high demands they place on their bodies from repeated stress.

Rolfing SI helps to resolve problems with scar tissue, reduce the occurrence and severity of injuries, as well as increase their speed, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Golfers, for example, may develop a more reliable swing, avoiding injury and improved balance and body alignment.

When joints are free from torsions due to rotations (particularly in the spine), when the pelvis is positioned to appropriately support the spine, and when good balance results from full range of motion in our feet and ankles — then we are less likely to get injured. 

Pilates helps to strengthen stabilizing muscles of joints and spine, improved movement quality control and coordination.  Muscle memory patterns can be enhanced for athletic abilities.

Musicians, dancers, actors, and artists of all disciplines come to Whole Body Kinetics for both Rolfing SI and Pilates. Musicians and dancers, in particular, can struggle with repetitive stress injuries. Some try Rolfing SI for fundamental reasons, such as allowing them to keep working. Others use Rolfing SI to increase their competitive edge — greater comfort in and awareness of their bodies allows them to embody their art. more fully   

Virtuoso concert pianist Leon Fleisher suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome and kept him from performing for thirteen years — until he found a Rolfer. The “results were remarkable." — Johns Hopkins Magazine, 1995

Movement! Movement! Movement! Pilates! Pilates! Pilates! We are made for motion. The health of all of our systems — respiratory, circulatory, digestive, you name it — depends on movement.

Furthermore, activity allows the body to adapt to unfamiliar movement options introduced by Rolfing SI and make them its own.  Exercises such as Pilates, yoga, stretching, walking, Tia Chi, Qi Qong, Alexander Method, Feldenkrais, and swimming are examples of exercises ideal in promoting physical changes in structure made during the Rolfing Ten Series. 

Additionally, Pilates exercises are highly encouraged because of their non-bias nature on the musculoskeletal system.  This is to say that the “muscle memory” developed in Pilates is neutral and corrective, not only promoting posture and core strength, but also improving upon movement patterns that may be less efficient that we can carry into other activities we participate in.

Non-bias movement means that the body remains more adaptive and organized with all movement through the limbs and spine, enhancing functional performance from daily activities, recreational and athletic performance, and fitness.  Pilates exercises are excellent for developing core strength and can be applied in an endless manner to achieve this non-bias neuromuscular adaptability. 

Therefore, the non-bias muscle memory developed through Pilates carries over into all other aspects of our lives and is extremely complementary for enhancement of movement skills and Sports Performance Enhancement.

Rolfing SI and Pilates restore neutral spinal movement from a balanced spine is a tremendously powerful tool in movement and sports performance as well as healthy living.  Traditional fitness programs focus on prime movers, the big muscles that drive motion.  Pilates typically focuses on the smaller stabilizing muscles and core control.

Both Joseph Pilates and Ida Rolf were operating on the same wavelength but attempted to accomplish structural, postural, and enhanced movement organization from opposite ends of the spectrum.  One was facilitating changes from a manual therapy approach and the other from a therapeutic exercise approach.  This is why both works well together, and Pilates exercises are encouraged during and after the Rolfing SI Ten Series.

Certified Rolfer’s ™ are trained and certified by the Rolf Institute® of Structural Integration in Boulder, Colorado — the only school accredited to teach Rolfing.

Successful applicants complete a training program that usually requires two or more years of study. Following certification, ongoing continuing education is required to maintain active status in the institute.

Training covers anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, Rolfing theory and structural analysis, functional movement and gait analysis, soft tissue manipulation, spinal mechanics, and joint mobilization methods, Rolfing Movement Integration techniques, individual research and written essays, and extensive supervised clinical sessions leading to Certified Advanced Rolfer. 

After a period of usually 3-7 years of practice and meeting continuing education requirements, the Doctor Ida Rolf Institute encourages Certified Rolfer’s gain additional training to become Advanced Certified Rolfer®. In addition, practitioner may also pursue an additional certification in Rolf Movement®.

The International Association of Structural Integration (AISI) works to advance research related to SI and offers professional board certification for structural integrators.

More and more health insurance companies are hindering access to services like Physical Therapy and Chiropractic care by setting a fixed number of yearly visits or unreachable deductibles.  This is an unfortunate trend in the American Healthcare Market today and there are fewer and fewer yearly or approved visits while the cost of deductibles and co-insurance keeps going up.

What was needed in the community is someone with a cost effective, skilled knowledge of how to manage injuries post rehab, after or supplementary to physical therapy as well as complementary to chiropractic and acupuncture. 

There is a need in the community to fill the gap between healthcare, chiropractic, physical therapy and fitness so that people don’t have to ask themselves, “what now,” after receiving such services.  Further more, as the cost of insurance premiums, deductible, copays keeps going up as overall visits dwindles a cost effective solution is needed in fitness and wellness as a method of prevention and maintenance.

Whole Body Kinetics & Structural Wellness provides an answer to this dilemma by addressing whole body health, movement integration and by addressing the whole person. Whole Body Kinetics & Structural Wellness focuses on whole body management by combining Rolfing and Pilates vs symptom management that tends to focus on local areas of pain.

This is achieved by applying comprehensive whole body manual therapy in the form of RSI as well as whole body form of corrective exercise that supports a variety of functional activities as seen in Pilates. This is coupled with the nearly 20 years of experience Brendan has as a licensed Physical Therapy Provider.

Focus is placed on attempts to provide a solution to rising healthcare cost, changing healthcare market and providing the community with supportive, complementary & skilled care that is delivered with integrity and enthusiasm.  At the same time, focus is given to your goals and structural integrity that is often the leading cause of pain, dysfunction and imbalances.  The overall focus is to acquire long term changes and quality of life.

While we do not accept health insurance plans you may still have availability to meet health insurance deductibles with Health Savings Accounts, Flex Spending Accounts, contribute to deductibles in PPO Plans, request reimbursement for an out-of-network provider. Please check with your health insurance carrier for more details.