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Rolfing is a form of deep-tissue,
structurally oriented bodywork that was created by Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D., a
Columbia University trained
biochemist in the 1930s. When she developed this therapy, Dr. Rolf was
influenced by her knowledge of Hatha yoga, the
Alexander technique,
osteopathy, and homeopathy. She called her own approach structural integration
because it dealt with the way the body's structure affects its function. It
didn't take long, however, for the public to start calling it Rolfing--and the
nickname stuck.
In 1971, Dr. Rolf established the Rolf
Institute of Structural Integration, now located in Boulder, Colorado, with
adjunct institutes in Munich, Germany, and Sao Paolo, Brazil, to oversee the
standardization of the Rolfing method and the training of practitioners, known
as Rolfers.
Today, Rolfing is employed primarily
to help reduce stress and ease mobility, address posture problems, and reduce
musculoskeletal and back pain. Proponents suggest that it can relieve a variety
of other ailments as well.
How Does It Work?
Rolfing is based on the premise that
physical and emotional stress--as well as gravity--can throw the body out of
vertical alignment and cause muscles and the connective tissue known as fascia
to become rigid and inflexible. (Fascia encases muscle and connects muscle to
bone.) These problems can then lead to more stress, illness, and a loss of
general well-being.
Rolfing aims to realign the body by
using intense pressure and stroking to stretch shortened and tightened fascia
back into shape. The goal is to make the fascia softer and more flexible, and to
restore its natural balance in relation to muscles, tendons, and bones.
Practitioners manipulate the fascia
rather than the muscles themselves. Pressure from the practitioner's knuckles,
knees, elbows, or fingers on this connective tissue is said to release deeply
held tension and stress. Rolfing results in ease of movement, improved posture,
and overall emotional and physical health.
What You Can Expect
When you first meet with a
practitioner, you will probably begin with a discussion of your medical history,
including any former injuries, such as broken bones. The conversation may also
include such topics as how you tote your shoulder bag and where you "carry your
stress." The Rolfer will probably ask you to undress to your underwear and have
you lie on a massage table for the treatment.
The treatment itself may begin with
the Rolfer manipulating the upper half of your body to free any restrictions
around the rib cage. This will help you breathe more easily, which will set the
tone for the next sessions.
Typically, a full Rolfing course
involves 10 sessions of 60 to 90 minutes each. Sessions one through three, known
as the "superficial" sessions, usually focus on the surface layers of the
fascia. These layers are associated with the muscles that are near the surface
of the body. Sessions four through seven involve the deeper fascia and muscles,
and are called the "core" sessions. Sessions eight through ten are the
"integrative" sessions. They aim to synthesize the work of the earlier sessions.
As the sessions progress, the course
of treatment will involve an increasing amount of pressure on the fascia.
Because the practitioner is working so deeply, the treatment can be
painful--rather than relaxing--but it should never be unbearable. And you should
feel energized after each session.
In recent years, advanced Rolfers have
been exposed to an updated curiculum that puts less emphasis on the 10-session
model. The curriculum addresses a wider variety of manual therapies, including
cranial, visceral, and joint manipulation.
Health Benefits
There are few controlled studies of
Rolfing that compare it with other therapies or with no treatment at all.
Proponents, however, firmly contend that Rolfing can increase mobility, ease
breathing, relieve stress, increase energy, and generally improve a person's
well-being.
Many patients find that Rolfing aids
in easing chronic back, neck, shoulder, and joint pain, as well as in relieving
repetitive stress injuries and headaches. Some advocates also report that
Rolfing helps digestive problems and asthma.Because of its clear focus on
muscular problems, the therapy is often included in sports medicine treatment
programs.
How To Choose a Practitioner
The Rolf Institute of Structural
Integration oversees the certification of Rolfers, although there are
practitioners who do Rolfing without certification. The basic training and
certification program for Rolfers takes a minimum of one and up to two years,
with additional training available for those interested in advanced
certification.
If Rolfing is performed by a
practitioner who is also a physical therapist or chiropractor, or if your
primary-care physician recommends Rolfing, some HMOs may provide coverage. Call
your insurance company about its policy.
Cautions
1. It is important to note that although Rolfers
seek to help you release stress and tension, they are not psychotherapists and
should not be sought to treat deep-seated emotional problems.
2. Rolfing should be avoided by those with
rheumatoid arthritis, or other serious inflammatory conditions.
3. If you are more than three months pregnant, work
only with a senior practitioner who has the experience to modify the usual
Rolfing techniques for your safety and comfort in pregnancy.
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