Rolfing

Rolfing is a holistic therapy that uses soft tissue manipulation and the moving of the body into various postures to "organise the whole body in gravity". It is perhaps more easily understood as a therapy that works towards improving posture and movement and maintaining good balance within gravity.

Rolfing can be used as a treatment for ailments like, back discomfort, poor mobility, lack of energy etc, however many people seek this therapy in order to improve the way that they feel, e.g. removing body tension, gaining more energy, improving posture etc.

How it works

Rolfing was invented in the 1960's and takes the view that the body can suffer when the connective tissues or fibres of the body become "bound up".

When this happens muscles may cease to function in the harmony that they should and a range of postural and mobility related problems may ensue. When this takes place aches, pains, poor movement and bad body positioning will often result.

Rolfing seeks to correct or prevent these issues by separating any bound-up fascia so that these fibres are loose and allow fluid muscular movement.

What to expect from a Rolfing therapist

Within Rolfing it is very common for the therapist to recommend ten sessions in the course of a treatment.

These ten sessions represent what Rolfers describe as a recipe for attaining the patients balance in gravity. Each session has a specific purpose or goal and, although the therapist may make adjustments based upon the uniqueness of each client, there is a progressive set pattern of treatment.

Each therapy session will last for between one and one and a half hours and the objectives of the various sessions vary from, “freedom to breath” and "finding your core", to "freeing the spine" and "integration".

Following the end of the ten treatment sessions the changes in the way that the body adjusts itself are expected to continue for some time. This is because the body continues to react and adjust with the changed behaviour.

Rolfing is a physical therapy that requires direct practitioner contact. It is normally performed on a therapy bed.

There are a number of organisation that offer training in Rolfing, but this therapy has no global or nationally recognised administering body in Europe or the USA.