Client Experiences

see what our clients say about Rolfing & Somatic Solutions

Rolfing & Somatic Solutions

See how we've helped others

Jim Adler, 71

Jim Adler, 71

Avid Mountain Biker
I don’t believe in miracles, I only believe in what is proven to work. I am not really sure what I expected when I walked into my first Rolfing appointment with Allison Benner. Perhaps more pain and theory or another therapy that helped but didn’t ultimately live up to its promise. Whatever I had thought was wrong. After half of my life being repeatedly injured ( I was a terrible and clumsy motorcycle racer) and the second half trying to repair the damage, I had finally found a process that worked. A healer instead of a practitioner… I rarely had to tell Allison what I needed, she already knew. I turned 71 last week and my back and hips are virtually pain free, and have now been longer than for any period in my long adult life. Joints, muscles, hands and feet are working as they haven’t for decades. And that’s the truth. Thank you Allison.
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Needed help with:
Back Pain Injury Rolfing
Danielle, 38

Danielle, 38

Marketing Director
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.
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Needed help with:
Chronic Pain Back Pain Injury Pregnancy / Postpartum Sports / Performance Nerve Pain Stress Rolfing
Gavin Cockburn, 17

Gavin Cockburn, 17

Student
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.
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Needed help with:
Chronic Pain Children / Teens Posture Sports / Performance Pre / Post Surgery Rolfing
Dean, 7

Dean, 7

"My 7 year old son, Dean, is a very active and wild boy. He has complained of headaches and backaches in the past (too many flips on the trampoline!) Allison suggested Rolfing. When she began working on him, I was so amazed at how much of his body tissue was twisted and knotted! After all he is still so little and perfect, right?! After she had Rolfed him only once, his complaints went away. I am so grateful to Allison and Rolfing because now I can do something to prevent injury down the road for my active kid." - Danielle, Dean's mom
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Needed help with:
Children / Teens Back Pain Headaches / Migranes Rolfing
Julie, 36

Julie, 36

Marketing Director
Rolfing with Allison has changed my life. I have scoliosis and have dealt with chronic back pain for most of my life. Before finding Allison, I had tried nearly everything I knew of (except surgery) to try and alleviate the pain--including rolfing with a different practitioner. My first rolfing experience was educational, but I really didn't feel as comfortable and "heard" when I described my pain. It felt as though there was a set routine no matter the individual issues. I noticed immediately that Allison's approach was different and felt more tailored to me. Her exceptional intuition, experience, and education enables her to pinpoint the root cause(s) of the pain and not only does she relieve it, she also teaches techniques to incorporate in everyday life for proactive care to prevent pain. I've been seeing Allison regularly for a few years now and I highly recommend her to everyone I know!
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Needed help with:
Back Pain Rolfing

Mike Weiland, 31

Finance & Sales
First and foremost, Allison is simply an amazing person and therapist. Before meeting Allison, I believed Rolfing was a place to go and get 'pounded' on with some really deep tissue work that makes you sore for a few days and eventually better. To my surprise, Allison's practice isn't in the same dimension - She is incredibly gentle and extremely focused. Further to my surprise, I've see more immediate and long term improvements in reversing the negative effects of 15+ years of highly competitive club and college soccer in one session than I've ever experienced in multiple PT, chiropractic or massage sessions combined. Finally, Allison has also introduced me to the idea of feeling great. This, I have learned, is a very different experience than just the absence of pain. I currently don't have much pain but have, over the past 6-8 months, begun to feel great :)
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Needed help with:
Injury Sports / Performance Rolfing

Daniel, 59

IT Tech
I originally went to see Allison for help with an old injury that negatively impacted my balance and posture and caused pain in my hip. As a result of her work, I walk with more ease and energy and feel I have a much stronger, more balanced foundation from which to move. Since then, I've seen Allison for a tennis injury, which definitely aided my recovery. I'm now seeing her in preparation for shoulder surgery. Through working on alignment and muscular organization, I believe I'll have better results both from my surgery and in my recovery. I so much appreciate the assistance I've received from Allison, but what I really got from her is that I didn't have to live with deficits. I've really learned how to take care of myself and have taken addition steps, including Pilates and Yoga, to be able to move with more efficiency and fluidity. I've told Allison numerous times that she has wise hands.
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Needed help with:
Injury Sports / Performance Pre / Post Surgery Rolfing
Amy Henrion, 30

Amy Henrion, 30

School Teacher
Rolfing and Allison's knowledge of the practice and awareness of the body have helped me through painful migraines, pregnancy, and recovery after surgery. At 25 I was a healthy, active woman, but started to suffer from debilitating migraines. I had tried all the OTC pain relievers with no success. At that point, my primary care physician prescribed me a heavy-duty migraine medicine (complete with a myriad of side effects) to take every day. I knew that was not a path that I wanted to go down and began searching for a more holistic way to heal my body. My husband had seen Allison for some time and recommend that I contact her to see if she could help me with my migraines. After a couple of rolfing sessions and some recommended yoga moves to practice daily, my migraines became less and less frequent and eventually subsided. I did not suffer migraines for several years and continued regular rolfing sessions to maintain my health. Unfortunately, my migraines returned when I became pregnant for the first time. Allison was once again able to help me reduce the frequency of my migraines through rolfing. In addition to reducing my migraines during pregnancy, rolfing helped me to remain pain free and not experience many of the dreaded pregnancy symptoms (nausea, swelling, fatigue). My body felt like it was doing everything it needed to do. I was able to continue my active lifestyle throughout my entire pregnancy and maintain a feeling of openness and alignment in my body. Rolfing after pregnancy helped my body to quickly return to functioning as it did pre-pregnancy. I ordered one from Amazon for about 50 bucks after watching a documentary by a very handsome Aussie guy love the accent from down under! My big mouth HB juicer is is black where your plastic is white, but I believe it is still the same machine. I've never juiced before, so today I came here for inspiration. I'm going to juice some grapes and maybe some tangerines later. Thank you for sharing this video so I would know in advance what to expect.
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Needed help with:
Pregnancy / Postpartum Headaches / Migranes Rolfing
Karen Inman, 47

Karen Inman, 47

Accountant
I was a little hesitant and apprehensive before my first visit with Allison. I had heard about Rolfing and how painful it could be. But, at that point in my life, I was tired of being in pain all the time and feeling like, as I got older, it would only get worse. I have scoliosis in my back and neck and I was finding that my pain resulting from how my body had adjusted itself to the curvatures was creating more and more pain. When I met Allison, I found her very knowledgeable about Rolfing and body mechanics in general. She has a great energy about her that immediately put me at ease. She worked on me that day and I already started feeling a difference in my body. Rolfing can hurt but Allison is very aware of this and she is very attuned to how my body responds to what she is doing. She never wants anything to be painful as it will not produce good results if the body has to react to the pain it is feeling. I have been seeing Allison now for about a year. I really wish we had taken "before" and "after" pictures. I really did not think it would ever be possible, but she has been able to transform my body from being in pain to actually being virtually pain free. I would highly recommend Allison as I could have never gotten to this place without her.
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Needed help with:
Chronic Pain Back Pain Neck Pain Scoliosis Rolfing

Tanya

Social Worker
It is my honor and privilege to write a testimonial about Allison Benner's Rolfing practice. I first came to Allison 7 or 8 years ago after trying multiple other modalities to address chronic low back pain. After one full series, my low back pain was gone and the pain has never returned. More recently, I was in a car accident resulting in months of multi-week severe headaches. After a lot of physical therapy without any lasting relief, I sought out Allison's services. I am experiencing a significant decrease in headache frequency, duration, and intensity and I have complete confidence that I will be free from headaches soon. Allison's expansive knowledge of the body combined with a truly incredible eye for noticing even the slightest dysfunction in how the body moves, sits, or stands results in efficient diagnosis and treatment planning. Allison's unique skill set also includes her knowledge of the body's ability to relieve and resolve symptoms of past traumas by focusing on the patient's body sensations. Allison pulls wisdom from her training and experience as a Kundalini Yoga teacher regarding the movement of energy and the power of breath to further support her clients. Allison's depth and breadth of knowledge results in a very supportive, well-rounded, and effective healing experience. I';m a very grateful believer in Rolfing and of Allison.
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Needed help with:
Back Pain Headaches / Migranes Rolfing

Jackie, 62

Human Resources
I received Rolfing a number of years ago, which was helpful but extremely painful. I started having hip pain again and was referred to Allison by a co-worker, who raved about Allison's expertise and gentleness. Since then, Allison has helped me in so many ways. Her sure and subtle work has helped unwind old habits and inefficiencies that have hindered my movement and balance. Hips, back, ankles, feet, jaw, ribs – all are more functional, fluid and flexible as a result of Allison's work. Allison's experience with yoga, dance, breath and other healing modalities inform and compliment her work. She approaches each person in their wholeness, educating, encouraging and celebrating along the way. Allison provides an amazing array of ideas, referrals and resources: practices, exercises, poses, props, shoes and classes, all to support one's health and healing. I feel so fortunate to have found Allison and to continue to benefit from her extraordinary gifts, and would encourage anyone who would like to inhabit their body better to experience her work. Both my husband and I are such believers in Allison's abilities that we have referred at least seven of our friends and family members to her. Each person has been thrilled with the help they they've received and amazed by the depth of her knowledge.
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Needed help with:
Chronic Pain Rolfing

Gabi V

Allison’s work blossoms in a digital space, she has completely mastered this experience. I once thought having physical distance would create a disconnect. What has actually opened up is a space in my own home (literally and figuratively) that would not have had the chance otherwise. There is something so special about having the opportunity to drop into these processes, outside office walls, and somewhere more intimate… the work can suddenly touch “the outside world”. Some days I have been in massive physical discomfort and she still efficiently brought relief to my body. The zoom experience is so effective, I find myself choosing online zoom sessions often to this day even when we don’t have to. Allison has become an innovative force with technology in her field.

Being a professional athlete of 15+ years, I had injuries and traumas head to toe. I hobbled into Allison’s multifaceted work with what I thought was just debilitating chronic back pain. I walked out the door more comfortable than any other modality I had tried in years. A world beyond the face value of my diagnosis was revealed. Strikingly, I felt something much deeper in me was healing, stretching me to reassess the way I approached “fixing and getting over an injury”.  

What’s most fascinating to me is how Allison’s work can touch all levels of body, mind, spirit, and soul… effectively and masterfully. Her work touches the interconnected underlying subtleties of our life experience. She has shown me a place where I can walk alongside my pain, grow and heal with it, and listen deeply.

Allison’s melting pot of offerings are a remedy for transformation that flow together effortlessly. Through Rolfing and yoga therapy we address pain and work structurally to reshape the way I use and move my body. The Somatic Experiencing helps by renegotiating past traumas in the body like injuries and other violating experiences for my body mind and heart, not only from athleticism but childhood as well. Utilizing DARE work, we reorganize how I am wired and respond to relationship, attachment and boundaries, evolving the ways I interact.

Allison’s work is the true definition of Wholistic. It’s a great privilege to work with her, and by far the most profound and sophisticated work I have ever come across. Her office has become a temple, that now also resides inside of me.

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Needed help with:
Attachment Chronic Pain Yoga Therapy Somatic Experiencing Trauma Rolfing Injury
Sawyer Benson, 12

Sawyer Benson, 12

"I see Allison because I have had lots of surgery on my ribs. She helps me by loosening scar tissue so my muscles can move better. I can take bigger breaths and move my arms better. Rolfing doesn't hurt. It feels good most of the time, especially my neck." - Sawyer Benson "Allison has worked with my son for several years now. Sawyer has thoracic insufficiency which requires surgery at least twice a year. He always looks forward to his appointments. Rolfing has benefitted him in several ways; more flexibility and movement in his rib cage and increased range of motion in his arms. I can't prove the correlation, but since Sawyer has worked with Allison he has not been hospitalized with pneumonia. That's amazing!" - Melissa Benson, Sawyer’s mom
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Needed help with:
Pre / Post Surgery Children / Teens Rolfing

Chester L

I first saw Allison Benner at the suggestion of a friend to help me with some chronic pain issues. I had already sought help with my pain from several more conventional health providers to no avail and was growing desperate to find a more effective treatment. As it happens, at the time, I had recently retired from an unsatisfying and at times very stressful career as an attorney and was unable to find the fulfillment that I had expected upon leaving my work life. After a session or two, Allison was able to see how years of stress and confounding circumstances were contributing to my discomfort. She suggested that to properly heal my “pain” I needed to get to its source and to do that, treatment with a technique that dealt more with the relationship between body and mind with a neurological perspective might be the best way to proceed. Having already gained my trust, I agreed to try Somatic Experiencing. Her analysis was spot on and, with her expertise and wisdom along with her knowledge of ayurvedic medicine, yoga and mindfulness I came through the process not only rid of the pain for which I initially sought her help, but also as a happier and healthier person far more aware of the keen relationship between body and mind and therefore more adept at knowing myself and at dealing with the “pain” that is an inevitable part of living . Her approach to the treatment was forceful and effective and at the same time gentle and compassionate. Only someone as talented as Allison Benner can merge those qualities successfully. Allison Benner is the most empathetic person I have ever known. She is a genuine healer in every sense, and I will always be indebted to her for all she helped me accomplish.

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Needed help with:
Chronic Pain Stress Yoga Therapy Rolfing Somatic Experiencing
Randy Stinson

Randy Stinson

Owner, Jagged Mountain Brewery
I first approached Allison with some lingering shoulder issues and overall pain from years of playing sports. Over the last year she has corrected my posture, my gait, and the pain is gone in my shoulder, as well as I now have full range of motion. Allison is very attentive to any discomfort while working on an area. I continue to see her for general maintenance and any new issues that pop up due to work or sports. She also has a wealth of knowledge in other areas that are helpful in overall mind and body balance. And she is always a pleasure to see and catch up on exciting adventurers she's been on.
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Needed help with:
Injury Posture Sports / Performance Rolfing

John D.

I started my treatments with Allison as a Rolfing patient where she is an accomplished professional. But it’s the mind body therapies over many years that have lessened my bipolar challenges. Learning how to leverage the body’s responses to trauma, anxiety, and other mood issues has greatly expanded my ability to manage the diagnosis. While naturally different for each situation, these tools and strategies work effectively for me in both the depression and mania phases of the bipolar disorder. Allison has my full respect, is a pleasure to work with and has supported my life with significant positive impact

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Needed help with:
Rolfing Somatic Experiencing Trauma Yoga Therapy Anxiety/Depression
Jen Davis, 35

Jen Davis, 35

Manager & Instructor, PH7 Pilates
I started working regularly with Allison a year-and-a-half ago and couldn't be more grateful. Everyone always says to me, "Doesn't Rolfing hurt?" Not with Allison is my response. Her hands on technique is gentle yet strong enough to work out the kinks. As a Pilates instructor, Rolfing is very healing to my body since I am consistently on my feet, looking down, putting myself in somewhat awkward positions to adjust people, etc. As a Pilates practitioner, Rolfing has advanced my practice by months if not years as an effect of having worked out some imbalances. On a personal level, Allison is one of the few that actually walks the walk. She will always be able to inspire you with numerous ideas on how to eat better, where to go for a great hike, or take your next adventure. When it comes to whole living, Allison Benner is a great example. She's passionate, caring, spirited and vibrant.
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Needed help with:
Posture Repetitive Motion Rolfing
Tinka Disalvo, 67

Tinka Disalvo, 67

Psychotherapist
I was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis 37 years ago when I was thirty years old. The ever increasing pain I experienced made it difficult to continue my active lifestyle and even daily activities like standing and walking. The surgeon I consulted told me I would be a “crippled little old lady” if I didn’t have a spinal fusion so deciding out of fear, I had three back surgeries and a hip replacement (because one “fix” caused the next problem). PTs and new docs and pain meds were of little help and then I found Allison. I now am able to walk without pain. Because of the radical changes I’ve experienced so far, I am confident that soon I’ll be hiking and snowshoeing again! Because I have more energy and I’m feeling so much better I am now able to, fairly consistently, focus on self-care in all dimensions of my life. Allison is an amazing woman; wise beyond her years. Her healing gifts provide the foundation of her work and she is continually pursuing additional knowledge and training in order to provide her clients the most current healing treatments. She is gentle, very intuitive, curious and very funny! Her positive attitude and perspective are inspiring.
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Needed help with:
Chronic Pain Back Pain Scoliosis Stress Rolfing
Cindy Coe, 46

Cindy Coe, 46

Food Blogger
I have been working with Allison for a over a year and I am amazed at the changes in my body as a result of her work and guidance. My posture, which has been poor my whole life, has improved dramatically and the knee pain which was the original cause of my visits has dissipated significantly. I find that my gait is better and my overall physical health has improved as a result of the Rolfing Process. It's hard to explain to people the difference between Rolfing and Massage but all I can say is it works wonders over what a massage can do for your body! I could never do deep tissue/sports massage and yet with Rolfing, deep tissue work is different and doesn't cause continued discomfort. I was skeptical at first, but every time I leave Allison's office I can actually feel the difference in my body, the way that I walk and the way that I carry myself. I have continued to go because I am an avid water skier and I find that she continuously helps me overcome the minor injuries that go with the sport and my other activities. Working with Allison has been a pleasure because of her personality, experience, knowledge and dedication to her craft. I also like that she continues to grow and challenge herself to learn new things. I just wish I could go more often!
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Needed help with:
Posture Sports / Performance Rolfing
Anthony, 30

Anthony, 30

Electrical Engineer
I found out about Rolfing four years ago while searching for a way to help with back pain caused by scoliosis and sitting at a desk all day. I decided to try it out based on all of the positive things I read online and I have not been disappointed. I didn’t notice any drastic results right away but after several sessions my normal began to shift from discomfort and pain in my back to not noticing it at all. My scoliosis also became less noticeable and a family member that I had not seen in a while commented that I looked taller. I have continued to do sessions every month or two to keep everything where it’s supposed to be and to take care of new issues that come up, whiplash being one of them. Allison is an intelligent, caring person who is dedicated to her work. She has taken the time to learn about me and give me advice on how to prevent issues from coming back. She is also trained in other practices such as yoga and craniosacral therapy which she has used to enhance her work on me. I highly recommend Allison to anyone who is considering trying out Rolfing.
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Needed help with:
Back Pain Posture Scoliosis Rolfing
Marika Laing

Marika Laing

Waitress
I first came to Allison for help recovering from a leg injury. I had torn my calf muscle on an easy run. I was beginning to believe that my injury, slow recovery and multitude of deep aches and pains were just symptoms of getting older and that I should resign myself to lowering my expectations about how healthy feels at forty years old. After seeing Allison for a little over six months, my tune has seriously changed. I have experienced profound changes in the way I feel, look and move. My body has never felt more like home than it does today. A strong, stable, relaxed, grounded and flexible home. Allison possesses an amazing amount of wisdom about the structure, alignment and kinesiology of the human body. I will be forever grateful that our paths have crossed.
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Needed help with:
Injury Sports / Performance Rolfing
Joy Murphy, 44

Joy Murphy, 44

Fitness Instructor & Mom of 3
What first brought me to Allison was a right hip issue. While teaching a group exercise class, I could no longer demonstrate lunges because it was so painful. A friend recommended I see Allison and explained what Rolfing was to me. I had NEVER heard of it before, and even had to ask my friend how to spell it. At this point, I had been teaching exercise classes for 20 years, and had 3 C-section deliveries within the last 5 years. All these factors, plus daily life stress, led up to my hip issue. I asked around to see if anyone else I knew had heard of Rolfing. The ones who had responded with “Man – that is excruciating, but totally worth it!” As much as my hip hurt, I really wasn’t interested in MORE pain to fix the problem. I called Allison after checking out her website, explained my issue, and asked her to please be up-front about the level of pain. If it was as bad as everyone else said it was, then I would find a different solution. Allison said on a scale of 1-10, most clients would say the intensity is never more than a 4. Okay, I thought, I can handle a 4, so I set an appointment. I have told the story of my first appointment with Allison MANY times – it is something I will never forget. I had not told my husband about the appointment, afraid he would not be supportive. I was also still skeptical, but figured I had nothing to lose. Allison did an initial assessment, asking lots of questions, then watched me walk back & forth. When she had me lie down on the massage table, she started messing with my right foot. It felt as if one of my kids was gently poking me to get my attention. In my head I thought, “Oh great! This is it? My husband is going to kill me if he finds out I spent money to get my foot poked. What does my foot have to do with my hip? Not sure why other people said it was excruciating – it doesn’t feel like she’s doing anything.” Then Allison broke my internal conversation and asked me to walk again. The moment I stood up from that table, my right foot went flat against the ground, my hip shot back in place, and I could stand up without any pain. It felt like a miracle, and I was completely sold on Rolfing and Allison’s expertise. I know others have not had as dramatic of an experience, but anyone I have ever referred to Allison has had a positive experience working through their own muscle & alignment issues WITHOUT experiencing excruciating pain - including my husband ☺ WHAT KEEPS ME COMING BACK: A painful issue got me in the door, but Allison's ability to help me create muscle symmetry is what keeps me as a client. Having Allison's help to keep my alignment intact allows me to live an active lifestyle without ''working through pain." Whether it is teaching classes, going on hikes with the family, playing tennis, or enjoying the occasional run, I want to enjoy ALL these activities and more without complaining about back / hip / knee / foot / shoulder, or any other kind of pain for as long as I can. Allison is a remarkable in many ways. She is an excellent listener, and is incredibly thoughtful & gentle in her recommendations. I always feel "lifted up" after leaving a session with her, never beaten down by what I haven't done right. I'm constantly amazed at her passion for further education in her field, and feel I always benefit from the latest research and techniques in regards to Rolfing. I am very proud to have been one of Allison's clients for the past 5 years, and would whole-heartedly recommend her services to anyone looking to bring balance to their bodies.
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Needed help with:
Injury Pregnancy / Postpartum Posture Sports / Performance Repetitive Motion Rolfing
David Dooley

David Dooley

Entertainment Industry
I have been going to Allison since early 2011. At that time, I was 55 years old and it seems when you get older your body does not respond as it did twenty years earlier. Being in the amusement business from my early 20s moving pool tables, pinballs, etc. I had plenty of time to abuse my body as well as gain additional  weight due my metabolism slowing down over the years. In my early 40’s, I started to go to a chiropractor for my back aches as well as have an occasional massage, which only provided me temporary relief. In my late 40s, I partially tore both meniscuses simultaneously when I sat back on my legs cleaning a floor. I went to an orthopedic doc who wanted to use the knife. I decided otherwise and just dealt with the pain. A few years later I tried Synvisc to lubricate my knee joints. That provided temporary relief for a few years but the pain never completely went away. I exercised less because of my knees and got to weigh more than I had ever before. About a year before I went to Allison, I decided that to help my knees I would lose weight through diet and exercise. In the mean time the wheels continued to fall off. I hurt my shoulder picking up a 100lb 14 year old dog who at the time was having trouble getting up.I could not move my arm above my shoulder ("frozen shoulder"). I went back to the doc who wanted (you guessed it)  to use the knife, so I went to the chiropractor who helped unstick my shoulder but could not restore my full range of motion. By this time my wife said " Why don't you go to a Rolfer?" Not knowing much about Rolfing, I read up on it and figured I had nothing to lose. I booked an appointment with Allison after doing a search on the internet. It was one of the best choices of my life. I started out seeing Allison about twice a month. She has helped me with my problem areas- shoulders, back, knees, posture, carpal tunnel and more (losing 25 lbs and casual exercise has not hurt either).Through her gentle but firm touch she she has awakened parts of me that I never knew existed and helped blood flow back into the tissue she would break up through her whole body approach.This has allowed me to get my full range of motion back in  my shoulders. Allison helped my posture that has helped my back ( I have not been to a chiropractor since Rolfing). My right knee no longer has any pain and my left one probably would not either, if our new dogs had not clipped me from behind, but it is still far better than it was when I started with Allison, plus I have no scar tissue or rehab from surgery. My carpal tunnel is gone thanks to Rolfing and some simple exercises she recommended. Besides Rolfing, what makes Allison special is that she continues to educate herself about the human mind and body and takes that knowledge and applies it in her practice. I still and will continue to see Allison about once a month for maintenance as I am not getting any younger although I feel a lot younger due to seeing Aliison. One thing to remember, although you may experience some immediate relief from Rolfing in one session, it will probably take several sessions and in my case what took 55 years of abuse to develop, I could see dramatic change in the way my body felt and continues to feel within a year. Thanks Allison! By the way I continue to move amusements devices. I just hope I will still be able to get an appointment after this testimonial, as she is already popular.
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Needed help with:
Chronic Pain Injury Repetitive Motion Pre / Post Surgery Rolfing
Diana, 53

Diana, 53

Sculptor
Good health was something I had in abundance. Then I had abdominal surgery and within a year’s time I could hardly walk or sit due to shooting pain down my left leg. I had gone to a physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, and massage therapist as well as undergoing tests and getting orthotics to no avail. The massage therapist I saw had been a professional dancer and suggested I try Rolfing as it had been very beneficial to her during her dancing career. She did some research and recommended I try Allison and I am so glad I did! While it has been a long road with many discoveries, including the fact that I needed to learn how to walk, balance and breathe correctly, I am back to my active self with a few limitations and modifications. Unfortunately, one does not undo 50+ years of doing things incorrectly overnight. Allison has been wonderfully compassionate, caring and creative throughout the process. She is highly professional and is invested in using all her skills to help discover and resolve my physical issues.
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Needed help with:
Pre / Post Surgery Rolfing
Anara Lani, 42

Anara Lani, 42

Hairstylist and Yoga Teacher

I began seeing Allison Benner in 2009. As a mother, a hairdresser, and a yoga teacher, I thought that I had a pretty strong grasp on how to live in my body, especially since I'd had it for a few decades. Allison's practice had moved in next door, so out of curiosity, I decided to give it a try. If you had asked me about my health, I would have said it was good. I had no real problems, maybe tight-ish shoulders from wielding a blow drier for a number of years, but nothing out of the ordinary.

I didn't really know what Rolfing was and I thought maybe an aggressive form of massage, so I was surprised when Allison asked me to walk around the room as she observed my gait. It's been a few years, so the details are foggy, but in the hour and a half we spent together, my experience of my body changed forever.

This might sound funny, but I didn't know that I had been suffering from low grade chronic pain for as long as I could remember. I just assumed how I felt was normal. Mistakenly, after years of teaching yoga, I thought that tucking my pelvis and lifting my ribcage was the ideal posture to hold on and off the mat. This had created a tightness between my shoulder blades that was impacting every other part of my body.

In that first session, Allison taught me how to walk with greater ease and gave me tips and stretching techniques to work with between visits. She re-acquainted me with my natural posture and after my second session, I had no more pain in my body. By spending the time to introduce me to my natural state of balance, she gave me an example of what's possible, and all the tools I needed to continue the work at home.

I have been gratefully seeing Allison for five years now. She is my consistent go to when my body needs support. Every time I leave I feel that I have a wider range of motion in all of my muscles and joints, and simply put, more room in my body. I see her every couple of months or so, and am consistently impressed with her dedication to ongoing education & her devotion to learning new techniques.

Allison is a master in her field, and I love that she has something new to share with me every time I see her.

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Needed help with:
Neck Pain Rolfing
Jill Jenkins, 41

Jill Jenkins, 41

Stay-at-home Mom of 3
I have had the pleasure of knowing Allison for two years now. I originally came to her for problems in my low back associated with a herniated disc. Her methods and practices have given me so much physical relief, but a session with her goes beyond her physical touch. She is not only a healer, but a teacher as well. Her knowledge of the body and all it's systems, and how our brain communicates with all those systems is what truly makes her special. She shares this knowledge with you as she works with you. Whether it's a recommendation for an exercise at home, or a better pair of shoes, or a great book to aid you in your healing, she is there to help you get well. I have not only benefited from her therapy, but her knowledge as well. I have learned so much about my body and am in a much better place physically and mentally because of her. Before I met Allison I thought perhaps I would have to resign myself to living In pain. After working with her, I know that couldn't be further from the truth. I hope she never stops doing what she's doing!
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Needed help with:
Back Pain Rolfing
Paul Brown, 42

Paul Brown, 42

Communication Sales
Rolfing has complimented my lifestyle in so many ways. Growing up and through my 20's I was an avid sports enthusiast. Soccer, tennis, running daily... I played soccer since I was 5 and then competitively through college. It was about 4 years ago that I was having ultra-tight calves after doing any activities for longer than 30 minutes. The tight calves were leading to many other muscle issues even up into my shoulders...It was time to give Rolfing a chance...luckily Allison was close. Once I spoke with Allison about my issues she walked me through the program. I did 10 visits in 6 months. After my first visit I was confident this could work...by the 4th visit I was well on my way. Allison explained Rolfing throughout the process and educated me on each and every area she worked on. I was back to running and playing soccer within 3 weeks of visits. I finished the first 10 sessions and continue to go back every 3-5 weeks for tune-ups. The tune-ups work on pretty much any issues from tightness in the forearms from being on a computer all day to sore hips...the tune-ups sometimes are just top to bottom to help posture My question is always- "How do people not get Rolfing done in order to maintain quality of life?"
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Needed help with:
Injury Posture Sports / Performance Rolfing
Melissa Cadogan, 39

Melissa Cadogan, 39

Acupuncturist
Receiving Allison's specialized form of Rolfing work throughout my entire pregnancy and post-partum (& onward) has been tremendously supportive to me and my baby! My growing and changing body was educated from Allison's insights of how to move with more integrity, more wisely by learning how to carry myself with increased awareness in the foundation of my feet, all the way upward through my hips, pelvis, chest, neck, head...this whole ladder of integrated parts that she cares for brings forth a feeling a wholeness I am so thankful to have had such great pain relief from Allison's work on my hips, pelvis and sciatic area during pregnancy. I felt more spacious and lighter in my body as Allison worked with the connective tissue, fascia, nerve pathways and musculature to bring an expansive feeling to me and my baby's evolving positioning in utero. I have learned how to better breath into areas of my body that were feeling comprised or even "collapsed". Areas of my body that I didn't even realize were "stuck" & have been freed, reeducated and aligned to bring me more ease, grace and comfort. The scope of Allison's knowledge base, experience and additional holistic views on how the Somatic Body-Mind work together is just one of many other added benefits that she is able to offer as she integrates all her fields of study into a "more than just Rolfing" approach to her therapeutic offerings. I am so grateful for all I have received from Allison's skilled, caring and highly effective work!
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Needed help with:
Pregnancy / Postpartum Posture Rolfing
Annemarie Carzoli,32

Annemarie Carzoli,32

Tele-skier and Climber, Denver, CO

A year ago I survived a serious neck injury. I broke three vertebrae in my neck, C1, C6, and C7 from a diving accident. Throughout my recovery, I have been interested in learning and experimenting with different modalities to relieve my neck and low-back pain, and my deteriorating posture.

I am always excited yet a bit skeptical when trying a new practice of any kind. After my first session with Allison, I felt an immediate response from my body. Not only did my body seem more relaxed and at peace, but it felt balanced and realigned.

Since my first session was such a positive experience and because I felt instant relief from Allison's work, I returned to become a regular client of Rolfing. After a few more sessions with Allison my neck and low-back pain had significantly decreased and I could sleep comfortably through the night. Range of motion in my neck increased dramatically and my entire body was more at ease. I feel very comfortable with Allison and really enjoy her style of practice. She has an amazing energy while working with you and is very tuned into your body. She is very specific and clear in the way she explains her techniques as well as the results from her work. I am a complete advocate of Rolfing and love what it has done for me physically as well as mentally!

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Needed help with:
Back Pain Injury Neck Pain Nerve Pain Rolfing
Matthew Tepe, 43

Matthew Tepe, 43

Climber/Software Engineer, Boulder, CO
Ten years prior to discovering Rolfing I had a herniated disk in my back(L4-L5), a ruptured disk (L5-S1) and had surgery to repair the damage. That "repair" lasted for about three years before the pain started coming back. The pain became part of my daily life. Everyday was painful, some days severely, but I managed to continue on. After seeing me hobbling around the office a coworker told me about Rolfing and how it had helped his back problem. I was ready to try anything so I called the Rolf Institute and that's how I met Allison. Allison was very patient, understanding and was able to sense my pain. She was always making sure that nothing we did caused me further pain. Allison's professionalism really showed when my hip/back 'locked up' on the table and I couldn't even sit up. She very calmly rolled me over and started working on my sacrum and hips. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I didn't feel anything distinct occur, like the crack of a chiropractic adjustment, but my body knew something drastic had changed. It was very emotional. After that session my back pain was greatly reduced. Since completing the full 10 session series I've had very little, short term, back pain. Perhaps one day a month do I even think about my back. Working with Allison and going through the Rolfing series has changed my life. I used to spend many nights laying on the floor in agony, desperately trying to crack my back to relieve the pain. Now, I am able to enjoy life again. My wife has noticed the improvement in my attitude and general disposition, as have I. And my climbing has improved as well.
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Needed help with:
Back Pain Nerve Pain Stress Rolfing
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