Rolfing ® Structural Integration
At Structural Therapy in Humboldt, CA, my aim is to improve the health and lives of clients through hands-on manipulation of the body. Deep tissue bodywork reorganizes the tissue, muscles, bones and viscera. In Rolfing practice, manipulation of the tissue occurs at the level of the fascia, or connective tissue– think of it as a web that lies just beneath the skin and connects all the internal elements of our bodies.
Rolfing also focuses on client self-awareness and self-expression, equipping clients with the tools to better understand their bodies, relieve aches and pains, increase flexibility and posture and improve their overall health in the long term.
Where did Rolfing come from?
Rolfing was developed by Dr. Ida P. Rolf in the 1960s and 1970s. Dr. Rolf struggled with her own health problems, and Rolfing emerged as a result of her investigations into the effects of physical alignment, posture and movement on whole body health.
Dr. Rolf’s students began to refer to her technique as ‘rolfing’ or ‘getting rolfed’.
Ida Rolf, Ph.D.
Founder, Rolfing/Structural Integration – Rolf.org
When a body is in pain or discomfort, whether physical or emotional, the unconscious response is to tighten and shorten in an effort to “get away” from the pain.
Our work focuses on lengthening and balancing the body in order for the tightened tissue to have some place to go after the release.
Rolfing can offer relief from internal strains causing:
- Poor posture and flexibility
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Foot pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Constricted breathing patterns
- Headaches (including migraines)
- Recurring injuries
- TMJ
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fasciitis
- Tendonitis
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Rolfing Structural Alignment Before and After Diagram
Rolfing is lifestyle practice
Rolfing might also help if you are looking to enhance your physical performance as an athlete, dancer, yogi, etc., or simply improve the way you move through life, no matter what your primary occupation. It is not only therapeutic body work but also a movement and lifestyle improvement practice.