Born in 1896, Dr. Ida Pauline Rolf earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1920 when she was 24 years old. Dr. Rolf could have chosen any field she wanted for her lifes career, but partly due to her own spinal problems related to arthritis, she began to delve into a little known field at the time. She was researching the structure and function of the body’s connective tissue, and its effect on body shape and posture. She researched the work of osteopaths and the effects of Yoga on the body. She traveled around the country between the 1930s and the 1950s teaching and treating people. In the 1950s and 1960s she brought Rolfing to the chiropractic and medical communities where it has become common practice.

She named her body changing techniques Structural Integration (SI), but the common name for this form of therapy has been coined after her name, Rolfing. Dr. Rolf had a mothering instinct, and worked on children that might not have been able to walk without structural integration. A desperate mother brought her child to Dr. Rolf when doctors had given up on him. She was told her son would never walk.

Prior to the 1960s not much was known about fascia. Dr. Rolf identified fascia as an organ system that covers and protects muscles, and connects with tendons and bones. Fascia also covers the visceral organs, and is commonly known as deep connective tissue. Fascia is a matrix, or non-cellular tissue that gives the body its shape. She was one of the first to discover that connective tissue keeps all the body parts separate. Without fascia all the cells of the body would be jumbled up together and you wouldn’t know where one tissue started and another tissue ended. Fascia gives our organs and muscles their shape.

In the early days of Rolfing, Dr. Rolf taught that for the procedure to be effective the technique had to be fairly rough and painful. But in recent years the technique has softened and become less painful, however it can still hurt, but usually in a good way. Techniques have evolved over time and the results have been spectacular. Clients have gained a little in height after being treated over time.

Dr. Rolf was famous for working on children and restructuring their little bodies. She had a penchant for kids, and worked on many young children and babies. She also practiced on her own children. After her death in 1979, her protg Jim Asher took over her practice. Dr. Rolf believed it was important to work on children that had structural problems related to posture, because it was easier to correct imbalances when they were young, rather than when years of bad posture caused multiple other problems.

The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in Bolder, Colorado was established in 1971. There are now many Rolfing schools in existence around the world in 27 countries. Many massage therapy schools have evolved and included curriculum similar to that as to that of the Rolf Institute, but the Rolf Institute is the only accredited Rolfing school.

Rolfs Contribution to Rolfing Schools is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Soft tissue manipulation through the process of Rolfing is a holistic approach to relieve pain and improve the physical and mental well being by creating balance between the body and its center of gravity. As the person being treated in Rolfing sessions feels better physically, he/she also feels better mentally.

Rolfing technique indications and contraindications Most everyone benefits from Rolfingbut there are guidelines for those who cannot go through the Rolfing process. It also depends on the individual, your doctor may say Rolfing would be good for you, but then again you may have a condition that may be aggravated by the Rolfing process.

Rolfing technique indications and contraindications

IndicationsRolfing is indicated for people who have a lack of well being. It is important to note that the Rolfing process is not a treatment for any medical condition. It can help people feel better, and improve their structure over time, but it is not a cure for any disease or disability. That being said, Rolfing is indicated for people that are experiencing acute or chronic pain, or those who have tight muscles. It is indicated for people who have malformations in their musculoskeletal system caused by the effects of gravitythe skeleton may get pulled slightly out of shape by the effects of the stiffening and thickening of the connective tissue matrix that holds the body’s shape. Rolfing is indicated for women who are planning to conceive. Rolfing stretches the connective tissue in the area of the pelvis, back and abdomen, which will help the woman have less muscle aches and more stability and mobility when conception occurs. In some cases women are allowed by their OB doctors to continue with Rolfing throughout the pregnancy as long as the practitioner does not apply too much pressure in the area of the pelvis and abdominal area. Rolfing is also indicated during the post natal period. The womans body has gone through a lot of changes, and connective fascia manipulation will help support her during her recover phase.

Rolfing technique indications and contraindications

Contraindicationsas with any type of health care there may be upsides and downsides, and there may be conditions that fall into a gray area. Pregnancy is one of those areas that could fall in between. During pregnancy, Rolfingwith deep tissue manipulationis contraindicated due to hormones that cause changes in the muscles and ligaments. Deep manipulation can cause increased pain in the back, shoulders and neck.

Rolfing technique indications and contraindications

Soft tissue manipulation through Rolfing is contraindicated for people who have disabling conditions, which include connective tissue disorders, blood clots that could be dislodged, or any inflammatory process such as Lupus or scleroderma. There are many other autoimmune diseases that may be aggravated by deep tissue manipulation.
Rolfing technique indications and contraindications

Rolfing may be contraindicated in some people with bipolar disorder during the manic phase, because it could cause a severity in mood swings. Deep tissue manipulation may also trigger a psychotic episode in some people.

Rolfing can help or be helpful in helpful in people with mild cases of cerebral palsy, but it can also be contraindicated if the CP is severe. Rolfing is contraindicated in people with various forms of cancer, because manipulation of the connective tissue could cause the cancer cells to metastasize through the lymph system throughout the body. If you have a question about Rolfing technique indications and contraindications contact a Rolf professional.

Rolfing Technique Indications and Contraindications is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Finding a certified Rolfing Texas Practitioner isn’t really hard to do. An easy way to find a Rolf practitioner near you would be to contact The Guild for Structural Integration. Their address is: P. O. Box 1559, Boulder, Colorado 80306. You can email them at gsi@rolfguild.org. You can log onto the website: http://cdn.rolfguild.org/form.htm, and once in you can click on USA and then click on Texas. Every certified practitioner is listed with their name, phone number and email address.

Go through the list one at a time. Call or email each one. Make notes of the questions you want to ask. If you are emailing each one you can write an inquiry letter and then copy and paste it into each email that you send. In a matter of hours or days you may be hearing from many Rolf practitioners. Finding a Rolfing Texas Practitioner that is perfect for you may take a bit of time. You may have specific needs that need to be addressed.

Another consideration in finding a certified Rolfing Texas Practitioner is cost. Many insurance companies have discovered the demand for Rolfing as a form of alternative health care and are now providing insurance coverage for it. Oxford Health Plans and Kaiser Permanente are two insurance companies that are now covering the cost of structural integration or Rolfing.

Finding a reputable Rolfing Texas practitioner will not be very hard, because all Rolfing Texas practitioners are licensed, just as nurses and doctors are licensed. They attend continuing education to stay up on techniques. Their training is costly, and the work isn’t easy. A Rolfer does this job because he/she enjoys helping people.

To find the best Rolfing Texas practitioner for you, the best approach is to interview them one at a time. Make an appointment to talk to them about their practice. How many patients does the practitioner see in a day or in a month? Does the practitioner accept your insurance? Ask about the practitioners Rolf method? Is the treatment painful? You can also ask just what results you should be able to expect.

Most results have been anecdotal, meaning that the people that have undergone Rolfing have felt better. Some people say they feel more at home in their bodies, and the changes they feel are long lasting. Finding a Rolfing Texas practitioner may be as easy as asking the practitioner to let you talk to some of his/her clients. The practitioner may not give you the clients name and contact information, but you can give your contact information to the practitioner, who will in turn ask some of his/her clients to contact you. Then you can talk to people one-on-one about the Rolfing process.

Finding a Certified Rolfing Texas Practitioner is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Rolfing therapy was developed by Dr. Ida P. Rolf. The goals for Rolfing are that the body will come into balance with its center of gravity. The body should be able to move fluidly without any pain or discomfort. The head, neck and body should be free of tension, and you should be able to feel at home in your own body.

Very often we get out of balance for one reason or another. Automobile accidents are a common cause and effect of the body being injured, and thus pain and discomfort with limited mobility may be a constant companion. A case in point might be that a driver in a car was in a slight fender bender and suffered whiplash as a result. The driver might in turn seek out pain relief through structural manipulation with Rolfing therapy. The connective tissue in the neck and shoulders may need to be manipulated to relieve the pain of whiplash.

Another person may have difficulty in breathing due to structural changes in the connective tissue around the ribs. The Rolf professional may take pictures of this persons chest and back area. He/she may also evaluate the movement of each side of the chest when the person breathes in and out. Once the problem area has been identified Rolfing therapy can begin. After the treatment the client will be reassessed for improvements. The client should be able to breathe easier. The client should not have to labor to breathe. Over time the connective tissue that becomes stiff and constricts the ribs should break down enough to be more elastic.

The terms structural integration and Rolfing therapy are synonymous. The connective tissue of the body is restructured through touch, manipulation of soft tissue, and education of how to maintain elasticity and movement through posture and exercise. The process may be fairly slow; more than one series of 10 treatments may be necessary to achieve the desired changes in fascia structure.

Rolfing therapy can hurt, but most say it hurts in a good way. If the pain gets to be too intense, the client only needs to say it hurts. One only needs ask the Rolfer to lighten his/her touch if it becomes painful. If the client wants a deeper rub, the practitioner may not comply, because the Rolf professional is trying to target specific areas and thicknesses of connective tissue.

Often when people undergo 10 weeks of Rolfing therapy on areas such as the neck, trunk, pelvis and legs, they appear slimmer and even a bit taller due to the restructuring of the connective tissue. When the fascia becomes thick and stiff the connective tissue that connects muscles to skeletal attachments shorten, causing contractures. Once Rolfing treatment has begun the goal is to bring the body back into balance with its center of gravity.

Structural Integration through Rolfing Therapy is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

You can better understand what Rolfing is all about by watching Rolfing video samples. It is deeper than massage, and the practitioner does not normally use a lubricant as a massage therapist would. If you watch a video, you will see that Rolfing is a slow process that manipulates and stretches the connective fascia. As you watch the Rolfing video samples you will see that the practitioner puts his/her whole body into Rolfing.

In the beginning most of the Rolfing video samples show the Rolfer examining the person before and after the session. The Rolfer visually and through touch assesses the client. As seen on the Rolfing video samples the client has more range of motion in the joints and more mobility in all of his/her muscles.

On some Rolfing video samples the practitioner started on the clients feet and in others the practitioner started at the head. In some areas of manipulation the client felt some pain associated with the pressure of the practitioners touch. It is nothing even close to massage. The effects of massage last for about a day and then the person is again feeling the pain from stressed muscles. In the Rolfing video samples, you can see clearly how the practitioner stretches the fascia. The pressure breaks down some of the bands in the fascia, which allows stretching to take place.

Watching Rolfing video samples helps you to see the interaction between the client and the practitioner. The practitioner may ask the client to push against the practitioner, creating resistance. The client may be sitting on the Rolfing table with his/her legs down and the practitioner stands on the table behind the client pressing his/her knuckles down the facial plane on both sides of the spinal column. The practitioner puts much of his/her weight into manipulating and stretching the connective fascia.

By watching videos you can see how over time the posture improves. You can believe by what you see from the Rolfing video samples, if someone you know tells you they gained an inch in height after completing a series of Rolfing sessions. You might even watch the video and think that it will feel so good when it quits hurting. You can see by the video that Rolfing goes much deeper than deep tissue massage.

After the session is done the practitioner will again evaluate and examine the flexibility of the client and the mobility of the joints. The practitioner works on the whole body systematically. The clients state that they feel much better than they did before the treatment and move about with greater ease. The videos are helpful to learn more about the subject of Rolfing.

Understanding the Process through Rolfing Video Samples is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

The Ida Rolf Rolfing Technique evolved over the span of many years. It is interesting how Dr. Rolfs life work has continued on and evolved even after her death in 1978. Dr. Rolf graduated from Barnard College in 1916. After graduation she earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University.

Dr. Rolf developed some back problems after being kicked by a horse on a camping trip soon after graduating from college. She was not satisfied with the medical treatment she was getting, so she sought treatment from an osteopathic doctor instead. What she learned from the osteopath would lead her on to make her own discoveries that would become the Ida Rolf Rolfing technique.

For 10 years Dr. Rolf studied Tantric Yoga and applied this knowledge to helping people with disabilities. She used the postures of Yoga in her practice, and as she learned new techniques she incorporated them into her practice which evolved into what she called Structural Integration, but later became known as the Ida Rolf Rolfing technique.

Over the course of 50 years she studied and taught that through structural integration the changes that gravity makes on the body could be corrected over time. The body would come into balance with the planets gravitational field. Dr. Rolf learned through her studies that gravity is a constant force that is either pulling structures down or holding them up. Gravitys effect on the body is that the body shape changes just like the body was a piece of plastic that could be molded. The connective tissue that encases every muscle, bone, and organ of the body is affected by the force of gravity, but can also be restructured through the Ida Rolf Rolfing technique.

Dr. Rolf started teaching in California at the Esalen Institute at Big Sur. She taught that the body is changeable, and that the imbalance of poor posture can be replaced by the balance of good posture. She called her work body education, and later changed it to Structural Integration. Her work caught on so that Boulder, Colorado became the headquarters for her work and was called The Guild for Structural Integration.

As the Ida Rolf Rolfing technique caught on in the 1960s, the term Rolfing was coined and later became a registered trade service mark. Only Ida Rolf Rolfing technique certified practitioners are allowed to display the Rolfing service mark in their company logos. Licensed practitioners are now commonly known as Rolfers.

The Ida Rolf Rolfing technique evolved from the work of Dr. Rolf. She discovered that just as gravity can change a body from a state of balance to imbalance, her techniques could use gravity to assist the practitioner to put the body back into balance. She taught that the connective tissue could be stretched over time to reshape the body and promote not only balance with gravity, but also improvement in health.

The Ida Rolf Rolfing Technique is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Structural Integration, commonly known as Rolfing, was pioneered by Dr. Ida P. Rolf, who earned a Ph. D. in biochemistry. She sought for alternative methods to relieve pain, and to gain mobility. Dr. Rolf discovered that all the structures of the body are covered with a connective tissue called fascia. The focus of her work is on stretching the fascia so that the body can come into proper alignment and be balanced to its center of gravity.

Ida Rolf Rolfing technique pictures will show the practitioner working on the body to lengthen and manipulate the fascia. You will see that the practitioner uses much of his/her weight assisted by gravity to put pressure on the clients body to break down the stiff fibers of the connective fascia. Before and after Ida Rolf Rolfing technique pictures will show the same person before and after treatments. Compare the pictures and you will see the client is able to stand taller than before. You will see the body in balance with its center of gravity; and the Ida Rolf Rolfing technique pictures show amazing results.

If you are a first time client coming to see a Rolf practitioner, you will fill out some paperwork, and then you will spend time talking about what brought you to the Rolf clinic. You may be asked to strip down to your under garments, so the practitioner can see clearly what your problems are. The practitioner will take a before picture of you, and then after the first session the practitioner may take another picture for comparison. Many times there is a difference visible after the first treatment, as in the Ida Rolf Rolfing technique pictures.

Ida Rolf taught that our bodies get out of alignment because of habitual movement patterns that we make. An example of this might be that after an accident that caused you to sprain your ankle left you with a limp long after the sprain healed. What happens is that the connective tissue has become shorter and stiff, causing the limp to be permanent. As a result the muscles contracted from the lack of mobility. The muscles remembered the pain and have forgotten how to move in the same manner as before the accident. Rolf treatments help the body to go into balance. Ida Rolf Rolfing technique pictures show remarkable differences over time. The clients feel much better, and more at ease in their own bodies than they did prior to the treatments.

Not only does the Ida Rolf Rolfing technique pictures show that the clients posture has improved, but they show that the client appears to have better balance. Some clients actually discover that after a round of Rolfing treatments they gained as much as one inch; this can also be documented with the Ida Rolf Rolfing treatment pictures. It is amazing to see the body change over time to correct its imperfections.

Ida Rolf Rolfing Technique Pictures is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Manipulating the connective fascia through myofascial massage, Rolfing is effective for relieving pain related to postural problems and other imbalances in the body. Massage Rolfing is done with the fingers, hands and elbows. Rolfing is done primarily on dry skin without the accompaniment of oils and lubricants. The only time an oil or moisturizer is used is if it is absolutely necessary to manipulate a certain area. Massage Rolfing is different than any other kind of massage. It balances the body parts to the individuals center of gravity. When one has finished a session he/she may feel energized and suddenly feels his/her body, mind and spirit are at one with each other.

Many massage therapists, and chiropractors incorporate Rolfing into their practice to align the body. The goal is to break down the thick facial layers that become stiff and cause contractures and other malformations within the body. As treatment progresses, many clients gain some height as their body is brought back into alignment.

Massage Rolfing was developed by a biochemist by the name of Dr. Ida P. Rolf. She studied homeopathy and osteopathy, as well as Yoga and chiropractics. She traveled around North America practicing her specialty. Massage Rolfing became widely accepted in the 1970s and 1980s. The Rolf Institute was founded in 1971.

To become a massage Rolfing practitioner one must graduate from the Rolfing Institute in Bolder, Colorado. Rolfing training is a two year course; tuition is more than $10,000. A student living away from home will have living expenses on top of tuition. A student can apply for financial aid and federal grants to help with the expenses.

There is much to be said for massage Rolfing. Many doctors integrate Rolfing techniques into their practice. Patients that are treated with massage Rolfing report that they feel more at home in their bodies than they ever did before. They report to have more physical and emotional balance and flexibility. The mind and body comes into a state of balance.

Clients and professionals alike believe that there is a muscular and emotional connection with the practice of massage Rolfing. Many clients report there is an improvement to the shape of the body after the connective tissue has been broken down and the body realigned.

Massage Rolfing involves manipulation of the head, shoulders, thorax, hips, knees and ankles. The session lasts for on average 1 hour and 15 minutes, and there is one session a week for 10 weeks. Then if necessary the client would come back for another series of treatments for 10 weeks. Realignment should be permanent when the client works at maintaining the balance between his/her body parts and their center of gravity.

The Art of Massage Rolfing is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

There are many deep tissue massage techniques that parecida al Rolfing; however they are not the same. Deep tissue massage employs the use of oils and lotions, where Rolfing normally does not. Another way massage is parecida al Rolfing is that the therapist uses touch. There are many differences also. Massage, even deep tissue massage is usually relaxing and isn’t painful; however Rolfing can be a little on the painful side. Many people who have gone to a Rolfing practitioner say that the manipulation of the soft connective tissue beneath the skin hurts, but in a good way.

Many schools teach deep tissue massage, and they also teach some Rolfing techniques, but they are not licensed or certified Rolfers. To be a Rolfer, practitioners must graduate from the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration. Many massage therapists, chiropractors and physicians employ the use of Rolfing techniques, but they may not be certified Rolfers. Professionals that use techniques that are parecida al Rolfing cannot use the Rolf logo in their company names unless they are certified Rolfers. Deep tissue massage feels good and in some ways is parecida al Rolfing, but it is not the same.

The term Rolfing comes from its founder, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, who received her Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1924, but later discovered how to manipulate the connective tissue of the body to relieve pain from tight muscles, caused by connective fascia. She discovered this fascia covers all the muscles, bones and organs of the body and gives the body and the organs their normal shape. When an area of the body becomes out of balance due to tight thick plates of fascia, Rolfing helps to break down the thickened fascia by manipulation through touch. Deep tissue massage may relax the muscles for a few hours, but Rolfing helps the body and mind exist in harmony together. The body maintains balance in relation to its center of gravity.

Massage therapists that use some techniques that are parecida al Rolfing are very popular, and they may have been educated at one of many massage therapy schools, but a certified Rolfer graduated from the Rolf Institute. There are thousands of massage therapists, but there are only about 1500 certified Rolf practitioners; in this way they are not parecida al Rolfing.

Massage therapy sessions lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, and Rolfing sessions last about an hour and 15 minutes; this is another way that massage therapy isn’t parecida al Rolfing. The Rolfer works on body alignment from the head and neck to the trunk and pelvis to the hip, legs and ankles. Massage therapy helps to relax the muscles, and Rolfing works on the connective fascia to breaks the bonds that hold muscles out of balance to each other. Massage therapy is parecida al Rolfing, but at the same time they are worlds apart.

Deep Tissue Massage is Parecida al Rolfing is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Rolfing is both similar and dissimilar to deep massage therapy; developed about 50 years ago by Ida P. Rolf. This treatment manipulates the deep connective tissues of the body. The practice of Rolfing provides longer lasting pain relief than massage therapy. The effects of massage therapy lasts for about 24 hours; however the effects of Rolfing lasts over time to improve posture and to put the body back into balance.

Similarities

The similarities of Rolfing to deep tissue massage are that the therapist puts his/her hands on you to manipulate the connective tissue beneath the skin. The therapist uses specific techniques to achieve this. Rolfing does not diagnose or treat disease, but many people who have been treated by a Rolf practitioner do report having pain relief. As with deep tissue massage, Rolfing can be very light and pleasurable, but it can also be a bit painful or even hurt in a good way. If the client feels uncomfortable from the pain, he/she just needs to speak up and let the practitioner know so less pressure can be applied.

Differences

A Rolf treatment is totally different than massage, even though it is sometimes thought of as a type of deep tissue massage. In massage oil or lotion is normally used, but in Rolfing no lubricant is used at all, unless absolutely necessary for tissue manipulation. A Rolf treatment is not like a massage, in that you don’t just lie back and get relaxed, many people do feel relaxed or full of energy, though, after treatment, but the goal is to help the body to realign to its center of gravity. Treatment over time should help you to hold your posture in its correct position in relation to gravity. Massage does not permanently change the connective tissue, where Rolfing usually does change the connective fascia to some degree.

Where massage therapist may not be interested in the function of your body parts, a Rolfer examine your posture, and ask you to walk and do some kinds of exercises to evaluate how your body moves. Massage sessions may last for 30 minutes, but these sessions may last up to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Benefits

Rolf manipulation is a technique to realign the body parts to each other in gravity. This treatment is used to improve posture, to improve range of motion in body parts, which in turn also helps to relieve pain. The practitioner works on the connective fascia of the body, and as he/she manipulates this tissue, instructions may be given on how to become more aware of your posture and how you hold certain body parts in relation to the rest of your body.

Conclusion

Rolf manipulation is a continuing process. The connective tissue changes over time as you become more aware of how to position your body. The frequency of the treatments is normally in a series of 10. You can stop your treatment at any time; however, you may not quite feel as well if you stop taking the treatments. Over time you adjust to the changes in your connective fascia and feel at home in your new and improved posture. Most sessions end with specific exercises to improve posture and movement. The practitioner will have you do before and after exercises to compare the alignment and movement of the body before and after the treatment.

The Benefits of Rolfing is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide