Rolfing is a method of deep tissue manipulation and movement education which aims to balance the body to more efficiently deal with the effects of gravity. Rolfing is named after American biochemist Dr Ida Rolf who developed the method in the 1950’s
Dr. Rolf recognized that the body is inherently a system of seamless networks of tissues rather than a collection of separate parts. These connective tissues surround, support and penetrate all of the muscles, bones, nerves and organs. Rolfing works on this web-like complex of connective tissues to release, realign and balance the whole body.
Essentially, the Rolfing process enables the body to regain the natural integrity of its form, thus enhancing postural efficiency and your freedom of movement. Rolfing consists of ten, 1 hour sessions which help re-align the body so that you can move with ease
What are the benefits?
Rolfing Structural Integration has the ability to dramatically alter a person's posture and structure. Rolfing can potentially resolve discomfort, release tension and alleviate pain. Rolfing aims to restore flexibility, revitalize your energy and leave you feeling more comfortable in your body. Athletes, dancers, children, business professionals, and people from all walks of life have benefited from Rolfing. People seek Rolfing as a way to ease pain and chronic stress , and improve performance in their professional and daily activities. Research also shows that Rolfing significantly reduces chronic stress and changes in the body structure. For example, a study showed that Rolfing significantly reduced the spinal curvature of subjects with lordosis (sway back); it also showed that Rolfing enhances neurological functioning.
How does Rolfing work?
Dr Rolf’s idea was that human beings need to have the right relationship with gravity in order to live and function healthily and happily. Her method of achieving this was to modify posture by working directly with the body’s connective tissue network (also known as the Fascial Web or the Myofascial System). Connective tissue is the thin membrane that surrounds and permeates every cell of the body including individual muscle fibres, it connects muscle to bone and forms tendons and ligaments. Connective tissue is a plastic medium and so it tends to hold its form once worked on by a Rolfer. Connective tissue is sometimes known as “the organ of shape.”
So what goes wrong?
The Fascial Web helps support, separate and lubricate movement in the body. It’s texture and consistency can be affected by physical or emotional trauma, poor posture, lack of use or over use. When this happens the whole myofascial system is effected causing muscles to become, cramped or glued together, so that when one small muscle is activated it has to drag the surrounding tissue mass with it. As you can imagine, this has many debilitating effects on posture, range of movement and energy reserves and can even effect our emotional outlook.
How can Rolfing help?
In short, Rolfers create space. We work to rehydrate dry tissue and retonify and release tired or stuck muscles. Rolfers also work with a client’s perceptual experience, seeking out habitual and limiting movement patterns and helping clients to explore new, more self-empowering ways to move through life.
Does Rolfing last?
Rolfing works on a very deep level and seeks to address not only the structural problems but also to change the underlying behavioral patterns that may have led to the initial structural imbalance. For this reason the effects of Rolfing are among the most profound and long lasting of any bodywork system currently available.
Who can benefit from Rolfing?
Anyone - People come to Rolfing for a wide variety of reasons. Structural problems such as flat feet or scoliosis respond well to the treatment as do many common physiological problems such as joint and muscles pain, repetitive strain injury, back pain, or lack of energy. And some people want to be Rolfed just because they “don’t feel right.”
People receiving help with mental well-being - Those who are in the process of resolving past trauma or are working to improve emotional or self-esteem issues, have found Rolfing an effective way to provide support and meaning for their process.
Fit People - More and more sports people are using Rolfing to complement their training regime and enhance performance. Rolfing also reduces the chances of injury and helps speed recovery from strains and tears.
Animals - Most mammals have a similar myofascial structure to humans and so can suffer from the same connective tissue problems. Horses & dogs respond particularly well to Rolfing and the results can often be quite spectacular!
There are some medical conditions which preclude Rolfing and you should check with your doctor if you are in any doubt.
What happens during a session?
Rolfing generally takes place over 10 individually structured sessions of about an hour. At the outset the Rolfer will watch the client performing simple everyday movements, such as walking and breathing and make notes, sometimes taking photographic reference. A list of mutually agreed goals for the work and a strategy for achieving them will then be drawn up. The actual work is done in underwear (that’s you, not me!) The Rolfer effects change by manipulating muscle and tissue, applying various degrees of pressure and direction and will also give simple homework to help remodel unhelpful perceptual or postural habits between sessions.
Some endorsements for Rolfing
“When I came to see you for Rolfing I had no clear idea of what to expect. Ten short weeks later I can finally stand up straight - completely effortless. My muscles are no longer sore to the touch and there has been a lot of emotional clearing. It has been an incredible journey for my physical as well as for my emotional body. You have helped me to achieve more than I dared to hope for. Many thanks Keith for all your help and support.”
38 yr old female Client - Surrey
"This treatment has given more long term pain relief than any other I have tried" -
42 yr old female Client - London
"InitialIy I thought Rolfing was expensive but after the first three treatments when there were noticable improvements I realised the fees were very good value" -
56 yr old male Client - Isle of Wight
"Keith treated my 2 day old Poitou donkey who was crippled with ‘knuckling fetlock syndrome’. 24 hours later he was on his feet. He had one follow up treatment and is now a healthy, happy 1 year old who wouldn’t be alive today if it hadn’t been for Rolfing" -
Donkey breader - Isle of Wight