What is Rolfing?

This week I am going to explore some more therapies.

Having a session with a Rolfer will change the way you stand and your posture. Rolfing is a series of 10 treatments to obtain maximum results. After the course of treatment, people are much more relaxed and will stand more upright.

The secret to rolfing is treating the fascia and connective tissue which encases our muscles and then forms tendons and ligaments. It appears to be a deep tissue massage.

This system was devised by Dr Ida Rolf. What Dr Rolf discovered is that the fascia would adapt to support posture and patterns of movement. So this means if you stand with all of your weight on one foot then the fascia will bunch and become shorter to accommodate for this. If you hunch your shoulders the fascia will knot up to enable the body to hold that position. So if we put our bodies into the wrong positions, the fascia will change so that we maintain that position.

If we change the fascia this way, we can basically change it back to the way it should be. This is done by stretching and manipulating the fascia back to its original position. Dr. Rolf discovered that by realigning the fascia she was reprogramming the neurological pathways and returning the person to better health and better posture.

What can be achieved using Rolfing?

These are some of the problems that can be fixed through your rolfing sessions.

Postural problems can be rectified. The body can be aligned correctly.

Long term chronic aches and pains can be alleviated and even disappear.

People with very bad headaches find that they can also disappear.

Neck and back pains respond well to rolfing and when pain is released from the body you will find that you have more energy.

These are a few simple exercises that may help you align your body. We often develop tension, mainly in the shoulders and upper back, by staying in the same position for long periods of time. Try to change your pattern. If, for example, you are sitting at your computer hour after hour, give yourself a 5 minute break every hour and stretch your arms. Stretch them out to at shoulder level – to the side and then in front of you. Anyone who carries a bag over the shoulder, try carrying it on the opposite shoulder. Whatever hand you use to do everything, try using the other hand – so if you always use you right hand, use you left hand sometimes.

Squatting is another great exercise. Hold on to something solid – like a bench and just squat down. This is great for the lower back. If you are having difficulties standing again, make sure you push into the ground with your weight distributed evenly over both feet. This will avoid straining your back.

Yoga is a great way to stretch and if you can get to a yoga class, I would suggest you do. You can strengthen so much of your body while gaining flexibility.

Read more at Health Through Healing Hands