The Benefits of CORE Structural Integration
An Overview by Joe Ackerman, certified CORE Structural Integration Practitioner
Like any structure, the human body is vulnerable to the effects of the world around it. Gravity, repetitive motion, injury, and any number of other factors can take their toll. By the time you experience an interruption in the way you interact with the world – perhaps in the form of pain, fatigue, or some other clue that all is not right – it is likely that structural imbalance has occurred in your body.
One metaphor that is often used to illustrate this point is that of a house built on a sinking foundation. The homeowner, clueless to the potentially catastrophic hazard developing underfoot, probably thinks he is doing everything he needs to do to keep his house operating smoothly. He might even invest in home improvement projects to enhance visual aesthetics and property value. But then he begins to notice symptoms of something being wrong in his house. Perhaps he sees that doors are no longer functioning as they were made to. He could address the problem with temporary means – like shimming the door – or he can go to the problem’s origin and repair it there.
Structural Integration is all about addressing problems at their origin. Through a systematic plan spread over ten 90- 120 minute sessions, I work with the client to restore balance to the body. As each part of the body is realigned to its original place and function, things begin to work the way they were intended.
"In Structural Integration, we expect to give a cycle of ten sessions. There is a reason for this. We are not dealing with local problems. We are not dealing with the kind of thing that you can say, "Well, I fixed that, that's all." We are dealing with an intent to make a body more secure, more adequate within the field of gravity. This requires that muscles be balanced, and need to be balanced around a vertical line. And, when I talk about balancing muscles, I'm talking about balancing the right side against the left side. About balancing the front of the body against the back of the body, and finally, about balancing the innermost muscles against the outermost, the inside against the outside, this is the most important of those balances, and we start from the outside working in, and it takes us ten hours before we can get to the place where we can really balance the outside against the inside."
–Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.
The benefits of SI are many, and they all relate back to the essential truth that a body in proper alignment will function optimally.
Some benefits, like enhanced flexibility, apply to everyone. But when that flexibility is restored to a yoga practitioner, it takes on additional significance when it allows her to hold poses that she couldn’t attain prior to Structural Integration series.
Now that we’ve established that the body functions to its fullest potential when it is properly aligned, the next step is to explore how to restore the body to this state of optimum balance. Using the ‘CORE’ method of Structural Integration, I work with you to progress through the same series of ten sessions originally developed by Dr. Ida Rolf fifty years ago. Each session, with its unique focus and specific goal, moves the body purposefully toward the ultimate goal of healthy alignment and balance within the natural forces of gravity.
If you can imagine how it feels to have a fluid, light, balanced body, free of pain, stiffness & chronic stress, at ease with itself and in the gravitational field, then you will understand the goals of Structural Integration.
–Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.
The ten SI sessions are divided into three phases: EXTRINSIC (focusing on the superficial fascial 
layers), INTRINSIC (moving into deeper layers and focusing on the pelvis, spine, and cranium), and INTEGRATION (focusing on brain hemisphere functions, as well as on the union of the upper and lower divisions of the body). This article will explore what happens in the first phase, and how it benefits you.
Each session in the STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION series comprises manipulations designed to prepare the body for the next session. All of the sessions, although of great value individually, are carefully designed to work in concert with each other. Some people have described this series in its entirety as a “tune up” for the body. Going back to the house-on-sinking-foundation metaphor of the last article, you might think of this as what fixes the foundation.
The extrinsic phase – called “extrinsic” because we’re dealing with the superficial fascial layers – comprises the first three 90- 120 minute sessions. The goal of the extrinsic phase is to create space within the body, preparing it for the work done in future sessions to be more effective and have maximum benefit. By the end of the first session, you will already feel some of these benefits beginning to take effect.
In the first session, I work on the superficial fascia in targeted areas of your body with two specific goals: freeing the lungs to allow for fuller breathing, and freeing the shoulder and pelvic girdles from the ribcage to lengthen the lower back.
(Fascia is dense connective tissue that surrounds muscles, joints, and bones. It provides support, protects body components, and essentially connects everything in the body structure.)
Following the first session, you will probably notice that your breathing is fuller and deeper. Deeper breaths mean more oxygen intake, so you will also notice an increase in energy. Posture is typically more upright. Many clients report that they feel lighter and longer, as well as a sense of well-being and relaxation that lasts several days.
In the second session, we focus on aligning your body’ s foundation; I open and align your feet and lower legs to support the body better. At this point, we’ll also address any foot problems, like fallen arches.
Following the second session, you will likely feel a greater sense of support in your feet. Many clients report that they feel more “connected” to the ground as their sense of balance and support is strengthened.
In the third session, we focus on lengthening the sides of your body and freeing your shoulders. This eases front-back strain, and improves the relationship between your upper and lower body by establishing a lateral line.
After this session, you will again notice that your breathing has expanded, making you feel more energetic. You may also notice improved balance and deeper relaxation.
I should mention that the week or so between sessions is not “blank time.” From one session to the next, your body is adjusting to the changes that have been made, and your brain is integrating a new range of motion. The body is constantly rebuilding itself, and that process is directly affected by external influences. For instance, incorrect posture will result in the spinal, shoulder, and neck regions to rebuild themselves incorrectly as they deal with the unhealthy influence of slouching – magnifying the bad effects of the poor posture. On the other hand, newly adjusted posture in which the spine, shoulder, and neck are correctly aligned will result in rebuilding that strengthens these new, healthy changes.
The next four sessions of Structural Integration make up what is called the “Intrinsic Phase” The word “intrinsic” signals what these sessions are all about – moving deeper within the structures that ultimately support your improved positioning and stability.
"The gospel according to osteopaths is to try to go to the center to get to the cause and change it. The gospel according to Rolf is that you can't get to the center to change it until you work with the outside. The body is like an onion. To get to the center without injury you must peel it layer by layer" –Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.
Structures are regions or spaces of the body that serve specific purposes. Your sleeve structure encompasses your shoulder and pelvic girdles, while your lateral structure comprises your legs. Your core structure consists of everything that is positioned along your spine and centerline. In its healthiest, most supportive state, your core serves as a strong pillar that your sleeve hangs upon.
As your Structural Integration practitioner, one of my primary concerns is how these structures of your body work together. This begins to become especially apparent in the intrinsic phase.
In the fourth session, I check alignment from your foot to your pelvis. I also check for any issues you may have with your knees or hips. My work on your legs is designed to provide improved range of motion and support for your pelvic floor. One goal is to encourage the pelvis into a horizontal position, as it is more supportive and balanced that way.
Following the fourth session, you may feel that your legs support your abdominal region better than ever before. This secure feeling will likely extend all the way up your body, creating the sense that your torso is lifted.
In the fifth session, I focus on the relationship between your abdominal and hip flexor 
muscles. Due to improper posture and other reasons, we often use our abdominal muscles incorrectly; we tend to let our outer muscles do the work that our deeper muscles are supposed to do. After I’ve lengthened and separated your outer abdominal muscles, you will begin to use your deeper abdominal muscles in the manner they were intended.
Following the fifth session, you will probably notice that the front of your body is lengthening. Because the deeper muscles addressed in this session are the only ones that extend from the legs to the torso, retraining them and allowing them to do their job properly is especially effective for back problems. Strengthening these deeper muscles also tends to help ease menstrual cramping.
In the sixth session, I address the deep rotator muscles under the buttocks; balancing these helps you walk more smoothly. I also lengthen the deep muscles of your back 
and hips, moving from your calves and hamstrings up through your pelvis and spine to your cranium.
By this session, you will likely notice a sense of symmetry in your body. Up until this point, I’ve focused most of my work on establishing balance around your vertical center line; now we move toward a similar symmetry focused on a horizontal center line in the pelvic girdle.
Following the sixth session, you will tend to be aware of your spine differently as you are breathing. If you have suffered from chronic back pain, this session will probably be a turning point for you. Also, if you have had problems with anxiety, you will probably find them alleviated by this session.
In the seventh session, I work on the fascia of your neck, face, and skull, with the goal of balancing your neck and head on your spine. Following the seventh session, you will probably feel that your head is attached more securely. You may also notice that your sinuses feel more open, allowing for freer breathing.
After we complete the intrinsic phase, you will likely feel more symmetrical, an improved sense of balance, and easier movement. Other byproducts typical of this phase include improved flexibility and enhanced athletic performance.
The final three sessions are called the “INTEGRATION PHASE”, because this is where we bring it all together. Our goal is to integrate your upper body with your lower body, as well as your right and left brain hemispheres. Designed to align your body based on its unique properties and needs, the integration phase comprises the most highly individualized sessions of the series.
At this point I will revisit areas addressed in earlier sessions with a renewed focus on how all body parts relate to each other, as well as how they relate to your pelvis (now in a healthier, freer, more functional horizontal position as a result of my earlier work). We may do some of the work sitting or standing, depending on your specific needs, so that healthy balance and alignment of all body parts are established with regard to gravity.
In the eighth and ninth sessions, I will focus on integrating your upper and lower body regions. Although we normally start with the lower body (targeting the legs) in session eight and continue with the upper body (targeting the arms, shoulders, and ribcage, and sometimes the neck and skull) in session nine, this sequence may be reversed if needed to best meet your needs.
In the tenth session, my focus is to smooth the fascia over all structural changes that have resulted from work done in our earlier sessions. My deeper-level work has already been done. Work in this session is more superficial, targeting the body as a whole.
By the end of the integration phase, your body will feel more in balance, your ease of movement will be less constrained by structural restrictions, and your energy level will be higher. You will likely be more aware of your core and the way that all regions and parts of your body align with one another.
"Rolfing is permanent. As one student put it, after you're Rolfed you're like a Jaguar. No matter how long you drive a Jaguar, it's not going to turn into a Ford. That's a very good emotional answer. It's beautiful because it appeals to all levels." –Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.
After the conclusion of the ten-session series, you will probably want consider how you want to use SI in your life. I’ll be happy to help you decide a plan that works for you. You have several options, each one with merit.
Some clients feel that their Structural Integration work is complete after the ten-session. They feel satisfied that the work done has provided them with much-needed alignment and restored balance.
Others choose to incorporate Structural Integration as part of their good health maintenance regimen. Ongoing Structural Integration work is especially advisable for people whose bodies are challenged by the stresses of various life situations, such as:
- Career – Does your job keep you hunched over a keyboard, or undergoing the wear and tear of heavy manual labor?
- Athletics – Do you run competitively, or teach yoga?
- Physical Condition – Do you have scoliosis? Do you suffer from chronic pain?
- Aging – Do you find that the normal changes that come with aging are changing the way you walk, sit, and stand?
As you can well imagine, the above list of concerns is not exhaustive. The trick is to objectively consider how you use your body on a daily basis and replace hold habits with new patterns achieved during your course of Structural Integration.
If you decide that ongoing Structural Integration is the plan for you, then we will discuss a therapy schedule that works for your specific needs. Most people find that coming in for Structural Integration work every second or third month provides ample maintenance for optimum alignment and balance.
There are also clients who may choose yet another approach to employing Structural Integration in their lives, including:
- Periodic sessions for restorative alignment and relaxation;
- Emergency sessions to address a need
- Post Ten STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION work, which is typically a series of several sessions (3 to 5) to address concerns that you and I clarify ahead of time.
For Further information regarding Structural Integration please visit www.corestructuraltherapy.com or contact Joe Ackerman directly at 781.425.5057 or joe@corestructuraltherapy.com
