The Evolution of Rolfing.

 

Rolfing is such a powerful and effective modality.  I have seen it help clients find long lasting relief from chronic pain, become more at home in their bodies and feel more at peace. At the same time, there is some confusion about what Rolfing is and how it's done. The most common misconception I hear is that it is just a really deep tissue massage.  And if it isn't deep body work, then it isn't really Rolfing. This couldn't be farther from the truth. First off, Rolfing®️ is meant to organize and realign the body to achieve a more balanced relationship with gravity.  Massage, on the other hand, is a manual manipulation of soft body tissues to enhance a person’s well-being. Rolfing is under the umbrella of Structural Integration, which is a type of body work.  Massage might change a person's structure, but as an unintended result. ​Secondly, the ways in which to achieve the goals of Rolfing are many and varied.  It isn't just using deep tissue work.  Back in the day perhaps, but not anymore. The human body is a wonder.  When you are being Rolfed, it should be approached and tended to accordingly.  Not as a nail to be pounded on, but as a complex, nuanced and beautiful thing. Some History. Rolfing first came into being around the early 30's - 40's when Ida Rolf, a biochemist, was exploring osteopathy, yoga and other healing arts to help with her children's health. It didn't really reach fruition until the 60's when the word "Rolfing" was first used, and the foundation of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute®️ (formerly known as the Rolf Institute) in 1971. So, if we were to say Rolfing first came into being in 1971, then Rolfing is now over 50 years old.  A half a century. And, I am here to tell you, Rolfing isn't what it used to be.  It has evolved and changed in profound ways.  As it should.   The Goals of Rolfing have remained pretty much the same over the years. To organize and realign the body to achieve a more balanced relationship with gravity.   The ways in which Rolfers achieve those goals has changed.   Back in the day, Rolfing predominately relied on The Rolfing Series (S.), developed by Ida Rolf.  This entailed using deep tissue work.  It was, and is, a brilliant strategy to help a client find better posture, ease of movement, and better balance.  Not to mention less pain. For quite a while, the goals of Rolfing were achieved by the Series (S.) and only the Series.                          Evolution. Over the years, various other modalities and techniques have been incorporated and utilized to achieve the goals of Rolfing. Let me explain a few of those here.   Neural Mobilization.  (N.M) Neural mobilization is a manual therapy used to help release stuck nerves adhered to surrounding tissues.  Nerves are meant to "slide and glide."  When they are stuck, muscles will become tense and tight to protect the nerve and surrounding tissue.  When released, the body feels lighter, less pain and more balanced.   Neurovascular release.  (N.V.R.) This is very similar to neural mobilization.  The main difference is that it tends to both nerves and blood vessels.   Scar tissue.  (S.T.) Scars can act as "tethers" that can pull the entire body out of alignment.   Scar tissue work uses gentle techniques to help reintegrate scar tissue back into the larger fascial web.   Bone work.  (B.W.) Bone work uses techniques to work primarily on the periosteum, and the bone itself.  The periosteum is a fascial membrane that surrounds bones. Similar to scar work, it helps reintegrate any distortions, calcifications or "scars" in the bone back into the bodies larger fascial web.   Movement work.  (M.W.) While Rolfing uses a good amount of manual manipulation, movement work addresses more functional aspects.  Both have a keen eye on helping you find better alignment. Movement work uses movement cues and a client's perception and orientation in space to help illicit change.   Visceral Manipulation. (V.M.) Visceral Manipulation was developed by a French Osteopath named Jean-Pierre Barral. V.M. addresses various types of anatomy that are often forgotten or neglected such as:  nerves, blood vessels, organs, membranes, suspensory ligaments, skin, adipose tissue etc. When there is a laxity, tightness or adhesion with any of these tissue types, it can profoundly affect the whole body.  V.M gently manipulates these areas to help the tissue find homeostasis.  The body then finds structural integrity. Source Point Therapy.  (S.P.T.) Source Point Therapy is a gentle energetic modality designed to complement the physical manipulations of Rolfing.  It addresses the body's underlying "energetic blueprint" which informs and influences the body's structure. As you can see, there are now a myriad of ways to achieve the goals of Rolfing.                        I am sure that there are other techniques and modalities that I am forgetting.   Every Rolfer has their favorite approaches to achieve the goals of Rolfing.  And every Rolfer will utilize various strategies and techniques that works best for them.  They use what feels like a good fit, like they are truly in their wheelhouse. Each Rolfer you may visit utilizes different tools for different situations as well.  With each intervention, some may be used more than others. Again, you are not a nail, and I am not a hammer.  Sometimes the pressure might be sustained and deep, other times it might be as light as a feather.  Each intervention is used to help us achieve the goals of Rolfing in the most effective, precise, and holistic way possible. How I Work. Finally, the diagram below shows roughy how I work.  I use Visceral Manipulation often with profound results.  I continue to utilize the brilliance of The Series with clients.  I also incorporate movement work and neural mobilization. I am glad and grateful to have a variety of tools at my disposal.  I always want to find the most attuned way to help your body feel less pain, more balanced, and more at peace.                     If you ever have questions about Rolfing in general, or my practice in particular, please let me know.