subject: What Is Structural Integration And Rolfing? [print this page] The term Rolfing and Rolfer oftentimes conjures up the image of a painful massage therapy session. Oh, there can be intense sensations as fascia releases, but the intense sensation/pain should always be brief. Rolfers should always be aware of their client's level of comfort and needs.
Oftentimes patients are willing to deal with some pain, especially if the session was successful in alleviating the painful condition that brought them to me. My Rolfing technique is more gentle than others, as I believe I can apply the technique a few extra times or longer to get the same results by allowing the body to adapt to the pressure. In reality, it is my opinion that all we are really doing is mirroring for the bodies own homeostatic response. Let me take you in for a deeper look into the world of Rolfing.
The imbalance, caused by force vectors that have entered our geodesic dome like structures that we call a human body, can create changes at the fascial and emotional levels of our being according to Dr. Rolf. These muscles, tendons, bones and ligaments all react to these forces that are inherent in gravity. Rolfers have been trained in the nuances of structural integrity and are able to create balance in bodies that have become imbalanced in gravity, through skillful application of touch.
All the structures of the body are linked together, including the internal organs, by an interconnected fascial web. This web is easily influenced by external force. These external forces eventually are responsible for imbalance in the web and cause painful responses. Rolfing is not like Swedish massage. Rolfing can effect those imbalances in a beneficial manner
First of all, the application techniques in Rolfing are much slower strokes then other techniques, often times without lubrication. Fascia responds to slow pressure that is applied in a deliberate manner. Rolfers used a variety of tools including fingers, fists, the elbows and the ulna bones. Many times the tools don't even move as we ask the clients to to move their body part in an active manner, or we move it for them in a passive manner with our other hand. Rolfing very often creates and improved upright, balanced posture. We often "talk" to our clients and give them movement cues/tools and with some focused effort, the changes that happen in a Rolfing session, last a lifetime.
The beauty of Rolfing is that it offers a tactile and chemical free approach to pain management and is appreciated by any performance athlete whose training allows them to be able to perceive even the slightest change in function and balance. I highly suggest Rolfing to become part of your wellness regime for not only prevention but performance enhancement. It is an outstanding regime that has been used successfully for nearly 50 years as a manual therapy for dealing with pain and performance.
