How is Rolfing different from massage?
In the media, Rolfing has often been called a form of deep tissue massage. This is acceptable as both techniques work with the muscles tendons and ligaments of the body but Rolfing is really something entirely different in origin, expertise, and process. The origin of Rolfing is in correcting dysfunction in the body. Massage has its origins in relaxation and is typically not associated with identifying issues and restoring proper body function. Rolfers have training in assessment of the body and its movement, and this assessment informs the work of the session as well as tracks changes and improvements from session to session. The Rolfer helps to educate the client on proper movement.
To me, Rolfing is a lifelong learning process, to know as much as possible about the human body and it’s function, anatomy and physiology. There are trainings held in many subject areas all over the world. Over the years Rolfers accumulate knowledge from colleagues in this manner and these trainings become part of the Rolfer’s Curriculum Vitae. Education and training goes much deeper into many different specialties. Often times massage therapists seek deeper knowledge and certification and become Rolfers.
The Rolfing session involves assessment before and after the session. Through the process of the Ten Series, certain movement cues and adjustments will be incorporated in the clients movement. These positive changes in movement and posture become ingrained. The Rolfing process allows a person to embody better movement and better function and gain an in depth understanding of their body and a feeling of empowerment in moving efficiently and confidently. Massage may also have this effect, but Rolfing is specifically tailored to gain these results.
As with all forms of bodywork, it is important to find the right style and right person for you. What your goals are can help dictate what specialty and what practitioner. I encourage trying different modalities and even different professionals within those modalities.
What do I wear for a Rolfing session?
Typically my clients wear short length workout clothing or underwear. Men typically wear briefs. Historically, Rolfing has been done in underwear as evidenced by the many books on the subject. Wear what you are comfortable with that also allows for working directly on the body and not through clothing.
How is Rolfing different from Chiropractic?
By definition, chiropractic adjustments are “high velocity, low amplitude thrusts” done to mobilize joints, typically in the spine and neck. Rolfing does not involve any bone cracking, like chiropractic. The techniques are similar in desired results - to align the body and restore freedom of movement. Rolfing does so through sustained pressure on soft tissue structures, which then allows the bones to align more slowly over time and more permanently. It is typically evident to a trained Rolfer whether the problem is in the joint or in the soft tissue. If it is in the soft tissue, then soft tissue work is advisable in order to correct alignment. If there is a joint restriction as well as soft tissue restriction both joint mobilization and soft tissue work are indicated. Chiropractic adjustment is complimentary to Rolfing work in most instances and helpful at certain points throughout the ten series, especially if a person is already familiar with chiropractic and has a chiropractor that they see periodically or regularly. Once the soft tissue is freed, chiropractic adjustment may be easier for the chiropractor and the patient may get more benefit.
Chiropractic is more mainstream and health insurers may cover chiropractic, while Rolfing is a tiny organization by comparison and is typically not covered by health insurance. Rolfing is more of a specialty tool in your toolbox of restoring body function - through completing a ten series. Once finished, clients typically feel so good they don’t feel the need to continue, the ten series stands as a cohesive healing process and a Rolfer would not suggest that you would need to be under their care indefinitely. A “check-in” session months or even years down the road may be warranted. There is also the option of the Advanced 5 Series, for those who have previously completed a 10 series.
Is Rolfing painful?
This is the age-old question and its not particularly easy to answer. The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute has tried to position Rolfing as something that isn’t painful, to teach a new way of doing this work that doesn’t exactly encourage intense work as the only way to do the work. There are different styles and momentary discomfort on the part of the client is not necessary to get results. Historically, Rolfing is known as a technique that can cause discomfort in the moment. This brief discomfort vanishes as soon the Rolfer removes their hands. The fact is that adhesions and stuck fascia have nerves that are simply not used to the mechanical forces that are applied and send the brain a signal of discomfort. Of course, there is no damage that is being done. There is no possibility for any harm to be done through Rolfing work. It is in areas of the body that are experiencing discomfort that may result in the biggest improvements in chronic pain and maladies that detract most from our well-being. In certain instances, some discomfort may be necessary to greatly reduce or eliminate areas of chronic pain. For some, uncomfortable Rolfing may result in life changing improvements in chronic pain. For others, it may not be necessary or warranted to do “uncomfortable Rolfing”. In fact, Rolfing that causes no discomfort at all may also be of life changing value to clients. The relative intensity of the Rolfing experience for the client is very much the result of collaboration. There is communication between the Rolfer and the client as to what the goals are and how to get there throughout the process. If there is severe and long lasting dysfunction that may be resolved with a particularly uncomfortable technique, it may very well be worth the momentary discomfort. If a client is simply wishing to “fine tune” a well functioning pain-free body, these types of techniques may not be warranted at all. Everyone’s nervous system is different and Rolfing work takes this into consideration. Our bodies however function in largely the same way and are pretty much exactly the same anatomically. Although size and shape differences abound we all have the same bones and muscles. The ten series process is designed to elevate the level of function for those who are suffering greatly as well as those who are functioning well.
The amount of discomfort you may experience is based on your specific needs and goals and many other factors. There is communication and absolutely no risk to seeing if Rolfing is something that can help you. The possibility of feeling amazing after sessions and taking that way of moving with you through life is what to focus on as you engage with Rolfing. We only spend an hour together per week (for ten weeks). It is the feeling that you take with you outside of my office that is most important.
Can Rolfing help with my TMJ?
Rolfing is a great therapy for TMJ (TMJD or Temperomandibular Joint Dysfunction). Jaw pain, jaw tightness, clenching, grinding, jaw popping… these are all signs that the jaw is having trouble relaxing. Your dentist may tell you that you are grinding and you need a night guard. This helps save the teeth from being worn down but getting some skillful therapy from a trained practitioner can better get to the root of the issue. If you sleep with a partner and they are awake while you are sleeping, this can be a great way to identify what exactly is going on and how serious it may be. There can be clenching, clicking of the teeth together then releasing repeatedly, or actual grinding back and forth among other variations. Obviously none of this is good for teeth. It’s also bad for sleep and puts undue strain on the jaw muscles. Our jaw muscles do work all day (chewing and talking) and to have them working much of the night can really tire them out and start causing problems over time. The reason therapeutic work on the jaw muscles helps them release and relax is the same as the rest of the body. The jaw muscles are very strong but they are also relatively small. Even a little work can help them greatly. Determining if there is an imbalance in the muscles from side to side can be assessed. If one side is much stronger than the other, it is great to know this so that you can chew more on the weaker side to balance things out. There are easy exercises that be be done to strengthen the muscles that open the jaw and this can bring about opening and closing balance. The act of exercising the muscles that open the mouth tells the chewing muscles to release without even having to think about it. I have personally experienced severe TMJ pain along with intense jaw tightness in the past and have explored ways to remedy this problem. A google search for “TMJ therapy” is where I initially saw the term Rolfing. At the time I thought it was a weird term. Though Rolfing has since provided me the opportunity to learn many advanced techniques to work with TMJ dysfunction, at that time I ended up seeking physical therapy for my jaw which included hands on work to release the jaw muscles. This included intra-oral work, or work inside the mouth. The therapist wears gloves and can then access and work effectively with chewing muscles that are otherwise not accessible. This work inside the mouth was the most effective at getting my jaw to relax. The medial pterigoid muscles are the “side to side motion” jaw muscles. Working those muscles out brought significant relief, though for some time it was an ongoing battle. I eventually learned how to do these techniques from the therapists that worked with me and could do them myself. Through my Rolfing training as well as TMJ specific workshops, I have learned formally about working with TMJ issues. Many clients have these issues to varying degrees and they are addressed through the ten session process. Typically this work takes place in the 7th session but if there is a greater need we will begin to do jaw work much earlier in the series. Working on your jaw muscles yourself can also be very helpful. Once you learn where these muscles are and how to get them to release, periodic work with them can really improve your jaw pain situation without the need to see a professional. Until that time you can rely upon a Rolfer or other person skilled with working with the jaw to help, as well as to teach you the techniques and exercises that will benefit your TMJ issues. If left to progress, jaw dysfunction can turn into a disorder resulting from deterioration of the TMJ joint. The goal is to never get to this point. There is much that can be done in the decades leading up to this to prevent it from happening. TMJ surgeons will typically only operate on cases where there is “bone on bone” or other significant deterioration of joint function such that the person is in a severe and irreversible state. These cases may have been avoided if therapeutic action was taken years earlier. TMJ problems are largely the result of stressful modern life and are prevalent. Most people can benefit from assessment and therapeutic work in the jaw. That is why it is an important part of the Ten Series of Structural Integration.