Does SI have to be painful to be effective?
You may have heard that the Rolf Method of Structural Integration is painful. It is often classified with deep-tissue bodywork methods. However, “deep” does not have to equal “painful.”
When Ida Rolf designed the work, my understanding is that she thought one had to demand a lot from the tissue to obtain change. Over the decades that SI has been practiced, her students figured out that a more refined touch was just as effective. Some of the work I receive from other practitioners is quite subtle.
I was trained that the work should be comfortable and tolerable for the client. This approach is also good for me as a manual therapist. With a softer technique and good ergonomics, I can provide SI without putting an undue strain on my body. Since I hope to continue working in this field for a long time, keeping my physical structure in good condition is important to me.
I have had some clients who think that if bodywork is not painful, then it is not effective. That is not the case. Painful or overly intense bodywork can cause a person’s nervous system to feel unsafe or physically pull away from the work. Under those conditions, I think it is unlikely that clients get the best results. Bruising or soreness that lasts for more than a day or so after a session are also indicators of overworking the tissue. If a client reported those occurred, I would modify how I work with them to prevent it.
It’s true that in a session, there may be spots on the body that may feel rather intense. On a scale of 1 to 10, I want clients to have a maximum rating of 5 or possibly 6, tops. If they feel it’s more than that, I can change my approach to work at a more acceptable level. Slowing the pace or changing the angle of contact can make a big difference. Clients have even told me their sessions are relaxing.
Receiving manual therapy like SI is extremely beneficial. Pain or bruising from SI or other types of bodywork are not. Let’s work together with consideration for your body and its processes.
