FAQs
Q: Is Rolfing® Structural Integration painful?
A: Rolfing is manual therapy with the intention to sink into layers to open and create a connection with the nervous system, releasing old patterns. Letting go of old patterns can be uncomfortable both physically and emotionally. The key is the relationship between the client and the Rolfer®. A good practitioner knows the appropriate pressure and communicates well with their client, meeting them wherever they can tolerate and breathe. Working deeply can mean simply a profound connection, not necessarily intense pressure.
Q: What's the difference between Rolfing® and massage?
A: Rolfing® Structural Integration is manual therapy with the goal of structural balance in the gravitational field. Rolfers® use various techniques (fascial, osseous, nerve, visceral, and cranial manipulations, etc.) to achieve this and have the goal of integration in mind. Massage typically uses soft tissue techniques to loosen muscles and to help relax tissues.
Q: What is the difference between someone who does Structural Integration, and someone who is a Certified Rolfer®?
A: It depends on training. Structural Integration is the name that Dr. Ida Rolf gave to her work. Rolfing® Structural Integration is a registered trademark belonging to graduates of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute®. It takes about 24 weeks of intensive training to become a Certified Rolfer® and a Certified Advanced Rolfer® has an additional 6 weeks of advanced training. There are also other respectable and comparable programs, but also weekend workshops in which people can call themselves Structural Integration practitioners. Ask where the person was trained and how long the training was before you decide on a practitioner.
Q: Are the changes permanent?
A: They can be, yes. Once the tissue has changed after each session, an individual can learn new patterns and reeducate their nervous system. Awareness is the key element and can happen as a result of the series. With increased awareness of posture comes change and those are the changes can be permanent, however, if the person goes back to the same habits without awareness, or feels they want someone to “change them” instead of working for themselves, things can return to dysfunction.
Q: What happens in a typical session?
A: In a session, we start by talking about how you feel in your body and what has happened since the last session. Then we do some structural analysis, standing, walking, moving, etc. This is done in underwear/bra so that the Rolfer® can see what is happening in the tissues of the body. The work is done on a bodywork table and your Rolfer® may have you stand or move in the middle of the sessions to see how things are shifting. It is not a time to zone out or sleep. There is an active dialogue (verbal and non-verbal) between client and Rolfer®. After the session, there is more walking, analysis, talking, awareness and a discussion of how to integrate this new information...how to take it moving and make it functional.
Q: Who can benefit from Rolfing® Structural Integration?
A: Anyone! People are drawn to Rolfing for a number of different reasons. Most are aware that something in the structure/posture needs to change in order for them to have more ease in movement and to be better balanced. Others have chronic pain in areas of their body, like shoulders, back, neck, hips or knees that continue to give them problems. A lot of times pain in one area of the body is a result of dysfunction somewhere else.
Q: How do I start?
A: Call Ellyn at (541) 728-3004 or e-mail her at ellyn@tryrolfing.com for an appointment or to have any other questions answered.