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.

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.

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! 

Rolfing has complimented my lifestyle in so many ways. Growing up and through my 20s 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?"

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.

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.

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.

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.

"After working with Allison through the ten series I was able to reach a new level of physical health.  With each session, I could feel dramatic changes in the range of motion in each area of my body. All of my muscle groups started to feel more fluid and after a few months I was the strongest and most pain free I had been in years. Allison was able to correct my form on certain exercises and show me how to properly build up the strength of my lower back. All along, Allison had been emphasizing how important it was to stretch a little each day and would give me little things to do as homework in between sessions. As I became more flexible I noticed a huge increase in the stability of my body.

Allison's other passion is Yoga and she blended it seamlessly with my physical development. Allison was able to tailor a routine specifically to my needs and I use it regularly. Rather than just fix my problem, Allison was genuinely interested in educating me to avoid further problems and have a better quality of life. I recommended my sister to Allison who has had chronic back pain due to 15 years of gymnastics and three back surgeries with varying degrees of success. After going through the same process of Rolfing and Yoga my sister is now pain free and my entire family credits Allison with her new look on life. Fifty years down the road I will credit Allison with my families continued health and well being.  She has been an amazing resource and I always look forward to learning something new from her."

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.