Named after Ida Rolf who created it over 50 years ago, Rolfing is perhaps as hands on as any complimentary health practice out there. It works on the connective tissue, or fascia that holds your bones together. Signs that these tissues are not functioning correctly and Rolfing might help include restricted movement, even as severe as arthritis.

Practitioners receive some pretty extensive training and are required to be certified before opening a practice.

When booking for Rolfing you’ll often be set up for between 8 and 10 sessions. Your practitioner will assess your condition before beginning by checking your posture and any movement restrictions you either demonstrate or tell them about. They’ll then use their fingers, knuckles and even elbows to apply certain pressures to these fascia from your feet to the back of your head – depending largely upon where your restrictions or problems are originating.

Rolfing almost appears to me like deep tissue massage, where toxins stored in and around various muscles or tendons are released by applying pressure over the area they’ve taken up residence until the ensuing pain subsides.

If this sounds to you like a less than comfortable procedure, I tend to agree, but having had deep tissue massage, I have to say that it really works. I found that it relieved not just the tension I went for relief of, but improved movement I didn’t know was restricted!

John

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