|
Frequently Asked
Questions About Rolfing®
Does
Rolfing hurt?
Rolfing’s reputation for being painful came mostly from its earlier days
when it was first becoming popular. Over the years, the Rolfing
community has developed and discovered new ways of working gently with the
body. I always put clients in charge of regulating the pressure and
depth of the work; the session’s work may vary anywhere from deep to
quite gentle. Most clients report the feel of Rolfing as very unique
and satisfying as compared to other types of bodywork. Sensations in
the areas being worked often range from momentary discomfort to
pleasurable warmth and release. Rolfing should never feel sharply
painful or overwhelming.
Top
How
Do Bodies Get Out of Balance?
The
human body is a dynamic form consisting of fluids, membranes,
fascial planes and osseous (boney) structures. Each person’s body
is a plastic medium adapting to its physical environment,
nutritional input, emotional content and social interaction.
Disease, repetitive movements, psychological stress, and even the
way a child mimics his or her parents all leave a mark in the
developing structure as the body seeks to integrate these various
levels of input.
We
basically shape ourselves every day by how we move, what we eat,
where we live and how we think. Thus, when someone sprains his or
her ankle, swelling occurs to immobilize the injury. Following
healing, adhesions in the area may remain, leaving the joint less
flexible, less efficient. The entire body can begin to adapt to
favoring the ankle causing tightness in the knee, torsion in the
pelvis with one shoulder being held higher than the other. After
years of embodying this pattern, the fascia can thicken or shorten
to hold the tension in the system. Eventually even standing requires
effort as the restricted areas leave their marks on the person’s
capacity to be balanced. Psychological trauma such as poor
self-esteem, feelings of anger or fear and physical or verbal abuse
affect structures. People often hold their breath to block emotions,
slouch in order not to take up too much space, collapse in on
themselves in an effort to endure pain. All of these patterns are
held in the physical form, particularly in the fascia.
Top
How is Rolfing
different from Chiropractic
and massage?
Chiropractic therapy tends to focus on bone alignment and individual
joints, and typically uses high velocity thrusting methods. However,
unless the tension and strain in the soft tissue (fascia, muscles,
tendons, ligaments) is addressed, the bones will continue to be pulled out
of alignment. Rolfing, on the other hand, involves slower sustained
pressures and addresses the entire bed of soft tissue in which the bones
are embedded. The goal is to achieve balanced tension which allows the
bones to fall back into their proper relationships naturally. As a
chiropractor I may integrate chiropractic adjustments into a Rolf
session.
The goals of most types of massage focuses on relaxing individual muscles
whereas Rolfing looks to realign and re-sculpt the entire body into a
better working (and feeling) unit. The goals of Rolfing require
clients to be actively involved during sessions by performing specific
movements, noticing sensations, and lots of times getting off of the table
to sit, stand, or walk.
Top
How
is Rolfing Different than Myofascial Release?
Rolfing
is an integrative technique utilizing a system of creating order in
the body’s structure. When a Rolfer contacts tissue in a
client’s slumped shoulders, she is also feeling through the fascia
and making contact with the connective tissue of the pelvis or
arches of the feet so that not only does the shoulder release, but
it has support underneath it from the pelvis or the feet. Rolfing
does not simply release restrictions in the body’s tensional
patterns, it simultaneously creates order in the structural
connective tissue. I have been trained in John Barnes Myofascial
Release and apply those techniques, as appropriate, in the
context of a Rolfing session.
Top
What are
the benefits of Rolfing?
People seek Rolfing for a variety of reasons. Many have heard
about the work for years, and now, driven by some pain or disability
which no other therapy has resolved, they decide to give Rolfing a
try. Others seek it to improve posture which has worsened after
years of sedentary occupations. Dancers and athletes rely on Rolfing
to help them keep their instruments in working order or to come back
from injuries. Yoga students find that Rolfing helps deepen their
asana practice.
Rolfing can relieve low back,
neck or shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, whiplash injuries,
repetitive stress injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, breathing
problems, jaw tension caused by orthodontia or dental work, and TMJ
problems. It can restore plasticity to scars, bringing mobility to
injured areas. Rolfing can also be a valuable adjunct for people
engaged in psychotherapy by addressing the physical aspects of
psychic strain.
Top
Do the changes from Rolfing last?
Yes. Photos show the changes from Rolfing to be long lasting. Modifications
to our alignment and usage patterns, such as sitting, standing, and
walking, help the body maintain its new structure. The nature of
Rolfing is to work with the body, not on it; this allows clients to take
ownership of the body’s new structure.
Top
Do I have to commit to an extended series
of sessions?
No. While Rolfing is most effective in the context of a 10-15 session
series, it is not always necessary for an individual to complete all
10-15. A series of at least ten sessions gives the Rolfer opportunity
to fully address the entire body and the way it works as a whole unit. Our
bodies did not shape into their patterns overnight so it does take some
time so reverse 20, 30, 40 years full of bumps, bruises, and poor posture
and body usage. Of course, it is perfectly fine for clients to come
for a fewer number of sessions as well. It is a common opinion that a
trial of three sessions will give clients an idea if Rolfing is right for
them and their specific situation.
Top
Can children receive Rolfing?
Absolutely. In addition to correcting structural patterns, Rolfing
can serve as a preventative measure to reverse potentially problematic
patterns in the young. One of the things children learn from watching us
is how we carry ourselves and they will naturally imitate their parent's
language, movement and other modes of expression. From colicky
newborns to rebellious teenagers, children will almost always benefit from
Rolfing. Some of the childhood structural patterns that respond well
to Rolfing are scoliosis, pigeon toes, knocked-knees, rounded legs, poor
posture, and even general adolescent growing pains. Work with
children is always gentle and comfortable and rarely requires the time
that adult bodies do.
Top
How often should I come?
Most people find once a week to be a beneficial and convenient time frame. However,
others find that they respond better to the work if they have more time
between sessions to settle in to the new patterns of their body and up to
three weeks between sessions is fine in most cases.
Top
What should I wear?
Because I need to see your structure before, during, and after the session
most clients, both men and women, go through the sessions in their regular
underwear. However, I want you to feel comfortable in my office so
gym shorts and sports bras are also fine (the less area of the back the
sports bra takes up the better). Once you are on the table, you can
have a sheet or blanket to cover up with if you wish.
Top
How long are Rolfing
sessions?
Appointments typically last an hour and to an hour and a half. Initial
visits often run longer to take time for a detailed health history and
general questions.
Top
How much does it cost?
The rate for sessions is $110. Lower rates for children under sixteen
are always available; reduced rates for those in need are available on a
case-by-case basis. Payments can be made by cash or check.
Top
Does insurance cover Rolfing?
Unfortunately, most carriers do not cover Rolfing. However, if
needed, a receipt can be provided for insurance reimbursement. Please
call me with specific questions in regards to insurance coverage.
Top
More
FAQs about Rolfing on the Rolf
web site
<- Back
Next ->
|
