FAQ

What Is Structural Integration?

Structural Integration is a method of Complementary Therapy. It views the body as an interconnected whole and works with the body's fascial system. Through fascia work as well as awareness and movement exploration, it supports people in developing greater lightness, body awareness, and a more balanced relationship with gravity.

Rather than focusing on individual symptoms, Structural Integration looks at the relationships between structure, movement, perception, and the individual's experience of their body.

You can find more information on my Method page or on the website of the IDA – Association for Rolfing® & Structural Integration Switzerland.

Is Structural Integration the Same as Rolfing®?

The method developed by Dr. Ida P. Rolf (1896–1979) is called Structural Integration. Rolfing® is the best-known training approach and the registered trademark of one school within the field of Structural Integration.

Today, there are several schools of Structural Integration. They are based on the same fundamental principles and use similar methods, while placing somewhat different emphases in their training and application.

Who Can Benefit from Structural Integration?

People come to Structural Integration for many different reasons.

Some seek support with tension, pain, or back, shoulder, and neck discomfort. Others would like to change something about their posture, feel less at ease in their bodies, or notice that movement has become unnecessarily effortful.

Others simply wish to better understand their bodies and feel more comfortable, supported, and at home within themselves.

Can Structural Integration Improve My Posture?

Many people seek Structural Integration because they would like to change something about their posture. However, the goal is not to train a "correct" posture or to consciously hold the body in a particular position.

Posture is often associated with actively holding oneself upright and therefore with unnecessary tension. Structural Integration is more interested in how the body organizes itself in relation to gravity. Rather than working against gravity, we can learn to allow it to support us.

As patterns of tension change and the body experiences more support, posture may change as well. The focus, however, is not on achieving a "perfect" posture, but on developing a more balanced organization of the body that can allow for greater lightness and more effortless movement.

What Happens During a Session?

Each session is tailored to your individual needs and develops through dialogue. At the beginning, we take time for a brief conversation about your current concerns and your experiences since the previous session.

The main focus is usually hands-on fascia work. Awareness exercises, movement exploration, and conversation may also be part of the session. Together, we explore what is present in your body and how new experiences in movement and awareness can find their place in everyday life.

Sessions take place in comfortable underwear, primarily on the treatment table and occasionally while sitting, standing, or moving. Please avoid applying body lotion or body oil on the day of your session whenever possible.

Will My Health Insurance Cover the Treatment?

I am recognized by most Swiss supplementary health insurance plans (VVG) for Complementary Therapy. As a result, many supplementary insurance plans contribute to the cost of Structural Integration treatments.

Please contact your supplementary insurance provider before beginning treatment to find out whether your plan offers reimbursement and to what extent. Coverage and reimbursement amounts vary depending on the insurer and policy.

Information about fees, payment options, and insurance recognition can be found on the Pricing page.

How Many Sessions Are Recommended?

Because Structural Integration looks at the body as an interconnected whole rather than as a collection of isolated parts, a series of about ten sessions has proven beneficial for many people. This process unfolds step by step and allows different aspects of structure, movement, and awareness to be explored over time.

Time between sessions is intentionally left for new experiences and changes to be integrated into everyday life. Often, the effects of the work continue to develop beyond the individual session itself.

After completing a series, individual refresher sessions or smaller treatment packages are available if needed. The goal is not ongoing treatment, but rather the development of new possibilities for movement, awareness, and self-regulation. Changes often continue to unfold between sessions and beyond the treatment process itself.