What can I expect during a session?
Rolfing sessions generally last from 60 to 75 minutes. Before each session, I will watch how you sit, stand, and move so I can see and understand your structural patterns. During the treatment, you will be lying on a massage table while I perform a series of hands-on manipulations using my hands, fingers, knuckles, and elbows on your body. Clients may feel a warm sensation on their skin, deep pressure, or a variety of other sensations during the process. Many clients experience feelings of relaxation and ease as the session progresses.

How is Rolfing different than Chiropractic?
Chiropractic differs from Rolfing in that it focuses on the bones and skeletal system, especially the spinal column. Chiropractic techniques often involve thrust to alleviate symptoms of pain or tension within the body. In contrast, Rolfers apply sustained pressure and invoke client movement to the connective tissue of the body, as well as the muscles, ligaments, and tendons to release chronic patterns. Chiropractic and Rolfing are complementary.

What can I expect to feel between sessions?
A Rolfed body usually integrates the changes in the first few days after a session. Very similar to how you feel after a workout at the gym or other exercise program, there may be soreness. After that, it’s common to experience ongoing shifts in balance and awareness. Most people enjoy feelings of lightness, improved comfort, and greater ease of movement.

How is Rolfing different than massage?
Massage techniques are intended to relax the muscles, improve circulation, and relieve tension. Massage can also be beneficial for chronically tight areas and may also improve body alignment and balance, however that is not the goal of massage work.

A Rolfing Structural Integration practitioner seeks to discover what is present in the body for the purpose of changing how the body is organized and how it functions. A Rolfer takes a holistic view of the relationships between the muscles, fascia, tendons, and bones to facilitate a rebalancing and realignment of the structure and establish improved lines of balance to promote a higher level functioning.

Rolfing is a collaboration between the practitioner and client, who work together to establish change in the form, balance, and function of the body.

Does Rolfing hurt?
Although in the early years Rolfing had a reputation for being painful, great improvement in techniques have changed that. It is now understood that discomfort in response to Rolfing pressure is an indication of the amount of chronic tension stored in the tissue.

It is the responsibility of the Rolfer to work within the levels of tolerance of each client to accomplish the goals of the work. Most clients are not concerned about discomfort during the sessions. When the client’s level of tolerance is respected, the Rolfer and client can work together to achieve the best results.

Do you offer anything but the basic Ten-Series?
I encourage my clients to take advantage of the “Introduction to Rolfing” package of three sessions. After the first three sessions, you will have a fairly clear idea whether Rolfing will address your issues.

The basic Ten-Series is designed to make significant changes in the form and balance of the body. However, it is not intended to be a one-time cure-all for body dysfunction. After a period of adjustment that usually lasts from six months to a year, many clients opt to continue with the process.

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If you have worked with me in the past, and an issue arises for which Rolfing is indicated, I am happy to provide individual sessions until the issue is resolved. However, “one-off” sessions are generally not helpful in terms of pain relief or as a way to assess whether Rolfing will meet your needs.

Do the effects of Rolfing last?
Most often the benefits of Rolfing last many years after the initial Ten-Series. Some people continue to improve without any further work. However, bodies change and injuries occur, so periodic work can be beneficial.

What do I wear to a Rolfing session?
It is important for a Rolfer to see your body structure before, during, and after a session. Most clients, both men and women, go through the sessions in their underwear. Bathing suits or gym attire is a workable alternative.