Question:
I've just heard of a technique known as "ROLFing", apparently a deep
muscle massage that is supposed to help release muscle adhesions which
occur after sustained (chronic) muscular problems. It was suggested
that this might help cervical dystonia because of the muscular changes
that occur with our sustained postures and spasm. This technique is
apparently practiced by chiropractors (don't throw eggs at me please!)
with effect. I haven't been near a chiropractor in years, wondered if
anyone here had tried this technique or done any reading about it.
Answer:
Oh, ok- I get it now- I thought at first this was going to be about
something really funny! You know, ROFL.
But seriously, I have heard of this type of massage. Haven't had it, just
heard of it. Gee, I guess this was a useless response now wasn't it?
First I get it wrong, then I don't have any info. Sorry- I don't know what's
come over me today.
Rolfing does not actually fall into the category of massage. Massage
serves to remove metabolic waste from muscle tissue, while rolfing
focuses on lengthening and realigning connective tissue which wraps
around muscles. Rolfing is considered deep tissue body work and is
used to increase a person's range of motion, increase lightness and
freedom in the body, increase energy, and reduce pain. Most people who
seek rolfing therapy are motivated either by pain, or by a sense of
tightness and restriction in their body.
Rolfers view the connective tissue as the fabric net supporting the
body, and they concentrate on how the connective tissue in the head,
shoulders, rib cage, and lower back, are aligned and where imbalances
lie. The target of the therapy is the loosening and lengthening of
chronically shortened connective tissue to bring the body into better
balance and alignment. Tissue becomes shortened following injury or
trauma to the area, through repetitive use of certain muscles, or by
always using certain postures.
Not every person needs the same type or amount of rolfing therapy,
however advocates say that some form of rolfing can potentially
benefit anyone. The rolfing movement began approximately 40 years ago
in America by Ida Rolf, and it reached the popular culture in the late
1960's through the Human Potential Movement which was active in
California at the time. For more information about rolfing, you can
contact the Rolf Institute at P.O. Box 1868, Boulder, Colorado 80306,
phone (303) 449-5903 or 1-800-530-8875. They can give you the names
and phone numbers of certified rolfers in your city. There is also a
book called "Ida Rolf Talks" by Rosemary Feitus that discusses the
technique.
Who was Ida Rolf?
Ida Rolf was an American biochemist who studied the flexibility of
proteins in connective tissue is the 1930's and 1940's. During that
period she had a son who was ill and she could not find a doctor who
could properly diagnose her child. She finally realized that her son's
problems were due to pressure on his internal organs from a compressed
physical structure. She began to massage and manipulate her son's body
until the pressure was released and his problems disappeared. She went
on to develop Rolfing over a 3o year period. Ida Rolf created the Rolf
Institute in the late 1960's after many years of writing and
lecturing.
How does Rolfing work?
The Rolfer slowly uses his hands to release adhesions, strains and
sprains in the connective tissue, which is the fibrous web which binds
muscles, bones and organs together. The relatively flexibility of
connective tissues determines how easily muscles will move therefore
Rolfers work on the connective tissues to help free the muscles.
How does Rolfing improve posture, alignment or structure?
Rolfers look at the body and ask themselves, "Is this body balanced in
the gravity field?" Rolfers realign the structure of the body so
standing is comfortable and movement is efficient. While most people
talk about "good posture" i.e. working to hold themselves upright,
Rolfers talk about "good structure," or resting comfortably in
alignment with gravity.
