Client Testimonials

Allison Benner allowed me to realize I did not have to live with the pain I had been enduring for more than 15 years. After countless sports injuries, a car accident, and working in front of a computer for 10 hours a day, I felt spent and depressed that the condition of my body and spirit would never change. The first time I met with Allison, the pain in my lower back was extremely intense, but had been with me for so long, that I did not realize how bad it had become. I no longer touched, leaned, or otherwise engaged my back and hips. My feet would go completely numb and my calves seized up when I went for a walk. This was because I was holding my posture and joints in such a tense state to mitigate the pain in other parts of my body. My shoulders were constantly sore from holding the same working position, creating a numb sensation in my neck and shoulder blade. I felt that this was simply the way my body worked, and that I had to accept it, which left my body and spirit feeling disconnected. After meeting with Allison for the first time, I realized that I did not have to live this way. The release I felt within my back was immediate and long lasting. Allison worked with me to regain my natural footfall and end the numbness in my calves and feet. She gave me stretches and exercises to do outside of our sessions, and encouraged me to get up from my computer hourly, do pilates, yoga, go for long walks, and dance. I had never even thought I could dance without pain. Now I try to dance at least once a week, hike with my daughter, take yoga classes when I can, and otherwise live my life feeling whole. I was able to have a natural birthing experience with my daughter, which I was once told by a doctor would be impossible given my injuries. Allison has not only helped my body to recover through her Rolfing technique, but has connected me to a network of natural health practitioners in Denver which I now consider part of my continuing healing process. I don't know where my mind and body would be without the thoughtful, caring, and experienced approach Allison Benner offers.

Hello my name is Gavin and I'm 17 year old boy. During Rolfing with Allison, the experience is great. She is very caring and nice. The environment is peaceful and soothing but to be honest there is just a little bit of pain but that's to be expected and the more Allison works on that area the better that little bit of pain will get. The reasons why I chose to try it was because I went through about 13 -15 surgeries on my feet (honestly lost count after 13) and I could tell that a lot had been done. Everything was sore and not in the correct positions. Like my one side of my hip was more stiff and tight compared to the other. Also after all my surgeries, when I began walking again my feet would be aching if I walked 10-20 minutes and my back had a kink in it. After Rolfing with Allison, I notice my pain has gone down my back was straighter and I'm playing hacky sac for more than 3 hours . Also, after talking to her you have good tips and advice on how you can keep the pain away.

I’ve had the gift of working with Allison consistently for over a year. I initially sought out Rolfing body work to aid in fully healing from a cesarean birth. At my first session Allison explained that before addressing physical symptoms, it can be even more helpful when we address what is happening emotionally and then observe how that affects the nervous system. Then, we can then do the work of inviting the nervous system to a place of calm and rest and more helpful patterns emerge for processing emotional energy. Subsequently she explained, when addressing physical sensations in the body, shifts we desire can come more quickly and with ease. Physical treatment is then able to prompt lasting positive change.

Along this journey together I also found great support in Allison’s deep knowledge of the body and pathways of healing. I had very particular challenges in my body at different points that required detailed attention. I have been truly amazed, time and again, at how her attention and intuition led her to help resolve long-standing causes of pain and discomfort or imbalance in my body. This has ranged from addressing sore abdominal fascia, the painful after-effects of inflammation from a case of Shingles, an ankle sprain, and general body mechanics and alignment that have been extremely helpful with the physical demands of mothering my toddler. I have had medical providers and other body workers address some of these issues in part, but no one was able to view them with a holistic lens, which is what Allison does and what makes her work so effective.

I can describe Allison’s work as comprehensive, intuitive, compassionate, and engaging. She has walked with me through some very challenging experiences, all the while prompting me to discover more of my innermost self and access the strength I already have. I have gained significant internal transformation through having done this work. I recommend everyone find a healer as gifted as Allison!

I started seeing Allison two years ago for somatic therapy when I didn’t know how else to manage my chronic back pain. Through talk and movement we uncover past thoughts and traumas. Her work is systemic and profound. Allison has helped me process and respond to deeply rooted family patterns alongside situations in everyday life. Most importantly through our work she has changed my relationship with pain and has facilitated ongoing dialogue within my body. Allison holds space beautifully and I always leave my sessions feeling lighter and more empowered.

Working with Allison using somatic therapy has been a true gift to heal my anxiety stemming from childhood and trauma from a bike accident. I was introduced to Allison after having a pretty severe bike accident, resulting in facial breaks, a concussion, and a very overactive nervous system.  She helped my body slowly tap into the trauma and fear from the accident in a safe and controlled way.  The process of experiencing small amounts of difficult memories at a time helped me revisit the event by focusing on listening to my body and its sensations, with the goal of relieving pain and calming my nervous system.  We have been able to take a very pivotal event in my life (ie. The bike accident) and allow that to dive far back into my own grief of my father’s passing 14 years ago.  We worked on grounding myself by using “tools” to allow my “up energy” (that’s how I experience my anxiety) to move down and out of my body, which in return gave me more stability emotionally and mentally.  

It feels important to mention we did all of this work together virtually.

I now live with a calmer nervous system and am able to tackle life in a way I have never experienced for over 35 years.  I am less charged and reactive, I am more focused, and I have healthier relationship boundaries.  Being an artist, a lot of my unhealthy childhood relationships had shaped and formed major walls that affected me creatively.  With all the work I have done with Allison for 3 years, she has helped me break down these creative walls and allow myself to fully engage and create in ways I have always dreamed.  I no longer stand in my own way of becoming my best self.

I was referred to Allison by a friend with high praise to help me with knee and heel pain that was making it hard to walk and participate in outdoor activities I love. She helped me with those physical pains, and since has guided a process of deep personal growth work to understand the connection between physical/mental/emotional experiences and heal on a much deeper level. Allison is a skilled teacher, therapist, and energy worker unlike anyone I’ve ever met. I can’t recommend working with her enough.