topic Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done?? in Wellness

Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

tsavorite — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:33:15 GMT

Hello I was hoping to find out if anyone has done rolfing (10 session program) and had success with it??

My 1st session was today with a certified rolfer (advanced trained) and I am hopeful this therapy might be what I have needed to help me and all my chronic back/neck/hip/leg pain.

I didn't know what to expect today and was very nervous! It is different then getting a deep tissue massage which I had done many times trying to get pain relief.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

lolakimono — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:52:11 GMT

I have not, but my friend has. She had polio as a child and has one leg shorter than the other (and two very different sized feet) and this has contributed to debilitating back pain over the years. She said that rolfing was the one (non-surgical) thing that she felt made a difference in strengthening her back and keeping the pain at bay.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

Rabid1 — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:58:10 GMT

There is no proof that rolfing works at all. But the thing is if you go in with and open mind even a placebo has real effect. A lot of pseudo mystic nonsense is associated with it but that can't be helped.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

tsavorite — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Wow 2 very different responses LOL! I had no idea about the pseudo mystic stuff and rolfing. I simply have tried many different things to help myself with nothing producing relief or a way to maintain a quality of life I am looking for. I ran across this on another website and did abit of reading on it and thought I could go in for a few sessions and see how it goes. Worst case senerio is I am out money (agian) and still in pain. OR this might help me get the ball going in anther direction.

Interesting about your friend lolakimono....today when he was having me walk around and then do that squat postion with my feet on the floor in front of a mirror my right hip was tilted up to high compared to the left and no matter how many times I tried not to do that I simply couldn't do that tiny movement of bending my knees forward a few inches and my hips doing that. I am aware of this hip issue....saw a sports medicine doc and was sent to pt which didn't help me at all. I see a chiro and he isn't helping it either. I have changed chiro's 3 times in several yrs and nothing is helping. Tried stretching recommend and it made my hip/leg/thigh pain just off the charts. It's like my hip is stuck in the up position. I walk off due to this and can't help it.

The rest of my back is a tight mess....I am reaching here with trying this as I feel desperate.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

terrier3 — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:06:53 GMT

I had it done many years ago when I was in my 20s and I'm considering it again.

It breaks up the fascia that binds your muscles together like glue and promotes better posture.

I work out a lot, but I just turned 60 and I'm not very flexible.

Rolfing HURTS - but it helps too.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

lolakimono — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:09:46 GMT

tsavorite-

My friend went to PT, which was helpful also, and then she continued to use the exercises at home. She also has a back cushion that she brings everywhere with her when she has to sit. I think that some (if not all) of her shoes also have a lift to help correct the imbalance. Like you, she was really at the end of her rope. She had lived in a small Amish community (she is not Amish) and there weren't a lot of options within a two hour driving window (which of course, was prohibitive with the back pain). When she retired "down south" she had many more medical options near the Triangle where she could try new treatments. I think she also did massage and acupuncture.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

AspenGrove — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:35:32 GMT

Yes, have had rolfing for years. Started with a series of 7 or 8 sessions straight and then continued, through the years, with "tune-ups" once every 4or 5 months as needed. Rolfing has literally cured what physical therapy and acupuncture and massage could not -- neck/arm/back aches/pains related to working at a computer all day, plus some knee issues related to my vigorous exercise regimes. I call my rolfer my "healer" because she truly has healed/changed my life! To the OP, I hope you have as much amazing success with rolfing as I have had.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

Annabellethecat66 — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:42:26 GMT

My massage therapist does that. I used to get a massage every week. I adore the woman who does it.

However, I got to where I couldn't stand the pain any longer. My late husband and daughter would go and fall asleep.

I told the therapist, "I live for the day when I can come to you and feel so good and enjoy it so much that I CAN fall asleep".

It hasn't happened yet. I'm still trying to get my pain under control.

I can't even stand Rolfing.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

terrier3 — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:40:24 GMT

On 2/17/2015 AspenGrove said:
Yes, have had rolfing for years. Started with a series of 7 or 8 sessions straight and then continued, through the years, with "tune-ups" once every 4or 5 months as needed. Rolfing has literally cured what physical therapy and acupuncture and massage could not -- neck/arm/back aches/pains related to working at a computer all day, plus some knee issues related to my vigorous exercise regimes. I call my rolfer my "healer" because she truly has healed/changed my life! To the OP, I hope you have as much amazing success with rolfing as I have had.

Do you think this will help with my lack of flexibility?

I know the concept - but back when I was in my 20s - flexibility wasn't an issue - rolfing then really made a difference in my posture.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

daisyk — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:48:10 GMT

On 2/17/2015 annabellethecat said:
My massage therapist does that. I used to get a massage every week. I adore the woman who does it.

However, I got to where I couldn't stand the pain any longer. My late husband and daughter would go and fall asleep.

I told the therapist, "I live for the day when I can come to you and feel so good and enjoy it so much that I CAN fall asleep".

It hasn't happened yet. I'm still trying to get my pain under control.

I can't even stand Rolfing.

Annabelle, I wonder if it depends on the person. You might never like the Rolfing. I've never had it but I have never liked deep tissue massage-I'm sensitive I guess and it hurts me. I like things gentler I guess. I know people who love to get "roughed up" and feel better for it.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

Nonametoday — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:57:07 GMT

I knew about rolfing in the 1970s. I did not know it was back. It was a trendy thing. Oh, dear. I have heard of Elvis sightings. Do you think pet rocks, long sideburns, political and social upheaval, burning incense and chanting, cabbage diets and mackarel pudding (all intended to make you lose weight because they are so not appetizing),and wide legged pants that sweeps the floor so you need not bother vacuum the nasty gold shag carpet are all returning? Yikes, we will all be buying flowers and candy at the airport.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

Annabellethecat66 — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:58:41 GMT

daisy, at the stage (of constant pain) I'm in right now, I can't stand for anyone to even hug me.

I have severe back problems that affect my entire body. I'm going in again Friday for another bad 'procedure'.

I know about deep tissue massage. I agree it really hurts.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

sidsmom — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 02:16:04 GMT

I LOVE ROLFING! Been doing it for many, many years. It's a very specialized process w/ extensive certification. I believe many massage therapists are banking on that term, but it's a certification taken very seriously....make sure you go to a certified Rolfer.

Worth it? YES. Many times I went in because I just wasn't feeling aligned. My trainer can tell immediately if I'm off balance.

For instance...if I felt my pelvis was wonky, my Rolfer would work on my feet...I would walk out of there feeling better. Another time, I had a hematoma on my ribcage many years ago, with no recent problems. He 'found' that spot (without my prompting) and worked on it until I saw stars but my balance was better than ever the next day.

Your fascia 'holds' injuries. Chiropractors will help on a regular basis, but sometimes you have to bring in the 'big guns'. I've read...if you go to a chiropractor for issues & they don't seem to 'take' anymore...it's time to see a Rolfer.

Joints can become aligned for a moment but if the fascia keeps pulling the joints to its memory, chiropractor sessions are worthless. Break up the fascia & everything will align.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

Lotus — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 02:45:30 GMT

I have never heard of it, but I just Youtubed it and it sounds/looks very interesting.

I have a lot back, hip and leg pain..so much so that it is affecting my posture. I would definitely try it.....wonder if insurance covers it???

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

Toppers — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 06:55:29 GMT

I have heard of it, tsavorite, but I haven't tried it.

I have had Myofascial Release Therapy though, which seems very similar to Rolfing, as it too works on the fascia. I found it to be really beneficial to me. I went to see someone who was trained in MFR Therapy, as it is called.

You can really start to feel your body loosen up. Just like a Rolfer explains it, when your body is injured, the fascia tightens up, and the therapist helps to stretch it and loosen it up again.

You don't notice how tight everything was, until someone starts working on you, and you start to notice a difference.

I have to say here that I think that it's too bad that some people have to chime in with nonsensical comments that have nothing to do with anything beneficial to the conversation at hand.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

AspenGrove — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 15:03:01 GMT

On 2/17/2015 terrier3 said:
On 2/17/2015 AspenGrove said:
Yes, have had rolfing for years. Started with a series of 7 or 8 sessions straight and then continued, through the years, with "tune-ups" once every 4or 5 months as needed. Rolfing has literally cured what physical therapy and acupuncture and massage could not -- neck/arm/back aches/pains related to working at a computer all day, plus some knee issues related to my vigorous exercise regimes. I call my rolfer my "healer" because she truly has healed/changed my life! To the OP, I hope you have as much amazing success with rolfing as I have had.

Do you think this will help with my lack of flexibility?

I know the concept - but back when I was in my 20s - flexibility wasn't an issue - rolfing then really made a difference in my posture.

Hi terrier3 ... yes! I just had a rolfing treatment, in fact, due to a recent shoulder break. My orthopedic surgeon gave me a huge thumbs up to see my rolfer, explaining exactly why working on the muscle fascia will help me get back to normal. The physical therapy I'm also doing gets my limbs moving naturally again, but the tightness/lack of flexibility is something that rolfing can treat really well, in a way that PT cannot.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

tsavorite — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 16:02:21 GMT

Hi Ladies (OP here!) thank you all so much for sharing your experience with rolfing! I feel abit more optimistic that this might help me after all. I really feel like I am so desperate that I'd try most anything lately.

Aspengrove I'd like to ask you about your sessions. Did you feel immediately better after 1st time? I want to give this a fair chance....I would hope that by the 5 session I notice some real change in that right hip. The person I am seeing is advanced trained....also a PT....and a very accomplished sports man. He owns the PT place as he started it many yrs ago. He had rolfing done on himself back in the 80's and since then got his certifcations then back to college for PT and so on. I am thinking I have someone here who should really know what they are doing. I have become convinced like most things in life the skills of the practioner are very important to getting results. Also I am going 1 time per week...best I can manage...is that how you did yours?

I have done a good deal of deep tissue massage and while I feel abit better it never lasts. Maybe a few hours at most. Very discouraging as I'd need a massage everyday with results like that and I shopped around and compared many therapists.

Yesterday and today I feel abit sore in a few places...nothing much...just tender. I have so many tight spots all over me and trigger points that hurt.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

AspenGrove — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 16:46:55 GMT

tsfavorite, I am happy to share what I know. The first thing I know I was told by my rolfer, who was trained at (and is still a master teacher at) the Guild for Structural Integration, an offshoot of the Rolf Institute for Structural Integration (both located where I am, in Boulder, CO). She told me to tell friends in other states who are looking for great, correctly trained/certified rolfers, to start by looking for referrals from the Guild (her preference because she says they have much more intensive training for certification) and/or the Rolf site. She explained that many PTs say they're trained/certified rolfers when they are not. In order to be certified, there is much coursework and hands-on hours, over several years. So, you are absolutely correct about finding the right person to work with you. I'm sure you chose your rolfer well.

In answer to your question, I felt a difference after the first or second session. I recall that my body seemed to be holding itself differently ... better. All of my pain didn't magically disappear, but things had clearly shifted and I felt great, not sore. I've never felt sore after a rolfing session. I always feel great ... like my blood is flowing the way it should!

The timing of rolfing sessions probably depends on what you're having done, but I never had one per week. Mine have always been scheduled two or three weeks apart. And, my rolfer does not believe in the "10 series" for every patient. She told me I didn't need that, so we started with only 6 or 7 in sequence, I think, but those were not weekly. She told me that the body is given a chance to "settle" between treatments so doing them too often is not what most practitioners prefer, unless it's for a very specific injury. (My friend, for example, went to my rolfer after throwing out her back one time. She saw the rolfer twice in one week for that injury, and then one more time again a couple of weeks later.)

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

tsavorite — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 17:41:19 GMT

thank you Aspen...I found mine on the site.... he did all training in CO...both times for certification as a advanced rolfer. I never did ask about the 10 series....the lady scheduling me just put me in for 10 of them one time per week. When I go back next Wednesday I will ask him directly.

I felt better right after the session yesterday but only relaxed like that for a bit...1hr. My chronic mid back pain always kicks in by 12noon. I'd really be surprised with how long I have had this going on that one or 2 times would make such a difference. I'd like that but I am leary of this....I have tried many things and nothing has helped.

If I don't feel better by 5 of these then perhaps I'll look to try someone else but in my area he is listed as the best being advanced. In the end rolfing may work for me and it may not....I plan on posting as I go along.

Re: Anyone Had Rolfing Done??

tsavorite — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 20:47:53 GMT

Okay now I have been thinking....Aspen how long are the sessions for you? Mine are 1hr...I did read 90mins somewhere else.

Another poster here did say rolfing hurts....I thought it was similair to some deep tissue massage I have had. Perhaps your friends situation worked so quickly because it was a fresh injury....I have been fighting with this for 5yrs or so now.

Not feeling to hopeful now....only time will tell.