WhAt IS ROLFING
The Method
Rolfing was developed by the American biochemist Dr. Ida P. Rolf. In contrast to other manual therapies that only treat individual symptoms in the body, she wanted to improve the complex overall structure of posture and therefore called her system “Structural Integration”.
Many factors influence our body structure in the course of our lives: genetic heritage, adopted posture and movement habits or traumatic experiences (accidents, physical and emotional stress).
Responsible for the changes in body shape is the connective tissue: the fasciae, which literally connect all structures in the body. It consists mainly of collagen fibres in a fluid environment. It has the capability of absorbing and transmitting tensile stresses and the ability to adapt to the strength and directions of these forces in the long term. Poor posture leads to shortening and thickening in certain regions. The fascia system also contains countless nerve receptors that are responsible, for example, for pain sensation and or orientation in space.
If you are out of “balance”, you can no longer move freely and easily. In addition, breathing is laboured and shallower than it could be. Physical and emotional restrictions occur. Chronic tension, pain and other unpleasant symptoms can develop.
HOW DOES THE TREATMENT WORK?
The treatment begins with an analysis of the client’s posture and type of movement. This results in the individual treatment, which can be done lying down, sitting or standing. We work with the hands, fingertips or elbows – depending on the body region. The tension in the muscle and connective tissue is corrected and the individual movement patterns are changed. The clients support the work with breathing exercises or movements. The treatment can be supplemented by perception or movement exercises.
A typical Rolfing series includes 10 sessions that progressively build upon each other. One session lasts about 1 – 1.5 hours. The treatments take place at intervals of 2-4 weeks. Sessions for children and adolescents are correspondingly shorter.
For clients who would like to try out whether the Rolfing Method is the right form of treatment, I recommend starting with 3 sessions. If there’s an urgent issue, it’s possible to book individual sessions.
CAN ROLFING HELP ME?
The main aim in Rolfing is to improve the structure, posture and movement of the human body. Therefore, it is possible to use Rolfing for any kind of discomfort which has its cause in the structur of the body. Rolfing is helpful for people who feel out of balance or chronically tense, people who have complaints due to one-sided occupational stress, or people who want to improve their flexibility and body awareness (e.g. actors, dancers or athletes).
Many clients expect Rolfing to reduce pain. Pain often has no clear medical cause. In Rolfing we are not so focused on the “cause” as we are on bringing the client’s whole body back into healthy balance. In most cases, all kinds of unpleasant symptoms are reduced or disappear completely.