Art Riggs
Rolfing
WHAT IS ROLFING ?
IT’S ABOUT BALANCE AND STABILITY
Rolfing isn’t just about stretching muscles and fascia or “perfect posture.” An organized and integrated body is a combination of strength of fascia, muscles, and joints to provide free movement while simultaneously providing stability to adapt to activities and life. The skill of a Rolfer is to provide both at the same time by a well-devised plan to selectively free what needs to be freed while still leaving the integrity of the body.
IT’S ABOUT EASE AND FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Using sophisticated manual techniques to free and align fascia,muscles, tendons and joints, the Rolfer attempts to balance the body for better posture, align joints, create freedom and ease of movement, reduce pain from injury, movement patterns in work or play, recovery from surgery….and much more. Many descriptions are subjective about quality of life. One of the biggest compliments I receive is, “I feel so much more in touch with my whole body in addition to just feeling better.”
WHAT IT ISN’T
-
It is not painful. Although the work can at times be uncomfortable, it is always performed within the thresholds of each client. Most all clients find the work enjoyable both for the touch and the results of freedom and alleviation of held pain in the body.
-
It is not a New Age psychological practice. As an added benefit, many people do feel emotional benefits from the connection of their bodies and minds from release of tension, I and most Rolfers do not play amateur psychologists trying for “emotional release.”
-
It is not a rigid series of 10 sessions. Although the complete series is recommended, many folks have isolated areas of pain or injuries or recovery from surgery that need focused work. Most Rolfers who have been practicing for a while also work this way, and it is important to clarify that before starting.: I frequently treat the following conditions, either with the 10-series or individual sessions as needed:
- Foot and ankle pain, including plantar fasciitis
- Knee pain and post-surgery rehabilitation
- Hip pain and restricted mobility
- Back pain
- Shoulder issues including impingement or rotator cuff dysfunction or surgery rehabilitation
- Hand, wrist, elbow overuse and computer injuries
- Neck pain and mobility
POSTURE AND BALANCE
BEFORE AND AFTER ROLFING
Short or misaligned fascia can disrupt posture and movement, causing a whole chain of compensatory events from the feet to the head.
By deciding where the fascia is pulling the body out of alignment, I was able to free the body where it wants to be, both in static posture, but more importantly in movement and comfort.
BEFORE
AFTER
"IT'S FASCIA-NATING"
Ida Rolf gave two emense contributions to bodywork and manual therapy. She was the first to recognize and popularize of the role of fascia for support for the body, but how short and tight fascial can disrupt posture and movement. Secondly, she put this recognition into a logical therapeutic treatment plan to balance the body for posture and efficient movement.
Even though fascia is finally getting its due in anatomy and medical treatment, I find that most of my clients, even if they know about plantar fasciitis, myofascial pain syndrome, and other inflammation, really don’t have much of an idea about fascia and they appreciate an explanation. Every single muscle cell is surrounded by fascia; and each muscle group is also surrounded and supported by fascia in compartments like a casing around a sausage link. This gives form and support and allows the different muscles to slide independently. A superficial fascial layer under the skin surrounds the entire body like a large wet suit to support the body without constant muscular contraction.
However, nothing in life is free, and due to many factors including injury, postural patterns, repetitive strain from work or exercise, fascia can thicken and shorten and cause dysfunction,… pulling our bodies out of synch and restricting flexibility.
