Rolfing has existed as a form of physical therapy for decades, but it remains a mysterious term to many people.
When people ask, “What is rolfing?” they are usually looking for a quick explanation. The problem with quick definitions is they convey the notion that rolfing is little more than a strange word for a deep massage. While rolfing can resemble massage, there are important factors that differentiate it from other bodywork modalities. Whereas massage is more focused on the relaxation achieved within the immediacy of a session, the emphasis of rolfing is to elicit structural changes that will serve the client over the long term. The structural goals of rolfing are tailored to each client, based on an assessment of the client’s individual needs. Assessment is based on an objective, visual analysis of a client’s posture, gait, and overall physical orientation, as well as the client’s report of chronic aches, pains, or problems. Ongoing assessment is central to the process as it guides the course of action that the practitioner will undertake.
The overall goal of rolfing is to elicit better physical alignment and a greater sense of ease, comfort, and confidence in daily life. Through systematic manipulation of connective tissue (the fascia), joints, and musculature, rolfing aims to re-structure and improve the relationship between various parts of the body and to then to integrate them into a wholly improved unit. An integrated body is one in which we feel comfortable, graceful, and able to perform at our highest level. Dancers, athletes, and performers are apt to come to rolfing as a therapy because it is so crucial for them to maintain their physical selves.
Today, many people find themselves logging long hours at desks and computers. The lack of movement, poor ergonomics, and repeated motions result in compromised
posture, repetitive stress injuries, and general feelings of being physically uncomfortable, hunched, or off balance can leave people feeling “bunched up” in their bodies. Through skillful manipulation of the body’s fascia, rolfing lengthens and revitalizes the body by resetting it to its original, supple, upright form. It essentially irons out the body, allowing people to feel comfortable again. As people begin to feel more physically at ease, they also feel more emotionally refreshed and stable. Rolfing addresses the ways in which we experience and express our physicality in terms of postural habits, compensatory holding patterns, and notions of self-image.
Contrary popular notions about rolfing, it is not an inherently spiritual or new age process. It is a pragmatic, scientifically based practice rooted in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. Rolfing is mainly the work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf who was trained at Columbia University in biochemistry. She began conceptualizing her method and applying it on people in the 1930’s and it became generally cohesive and teachable in the 1950s. Dr. Rolf’s work was not inspired by divine insight or spiritual beliefs. Rather she undertook to develop a method of bringing the body back to a state of wholeness. Dr. Rolf conceptualized the idea of the vertical line around which the body is structured. She recognized the consequence of gravity constantly bearing down on us and throwing us off of our ‘line.’ Dr. Rolf recognized that being bi-pedal has certain drawbacks, one of which is that we are much more at the mercy of gravity as we try to maintain ourselves erectly on our feet – two relatively small patches of contact with the ground. Unlike quadrupeds, who balance themselves upon
four contacts with ground, we teeter somewhat precipitously upon two. Rolfing helps to bring the body back to a state where it is actually supported by gravity. When we are supported by gravity rather than fighting against it, we have much more energy to expend in other ways. We strain less to do everyday activities and we feel invigorated and confident by newfound ease.
Another common misperception of rolfing is that it is painful. The rolfing training puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of working within the tolerance of each individual client. Communication between client and practitioner is paramount and ongoing. Rolfing can be intense, at times. After all, we are trying to undo what may be many years of injury or trauma and releasing adhesions and knots from the fascial matrix. Many clients describe it more as a good type of transient discomfort, perhaps comparable to a good work out. There are times when exercise isn’t always totally pleasurable in the moment but afterwards very rewarding. And in the same way that you don’t get physically fit overnight, the body doesn’t become integrated instantly. In the midst of moments of slight discomfort, there are periods of deep relaxation during a rolfing session. Most people experience profound release after the session is finished, and often
with lasting effects. The bottom line is that while there may be moments when rolfing can feel a bit uncomfortable, there are also plenty of relaxing and pleasurable times as well. People will usually leave a session feeling lighter, taller, and more open.
Lowell Flax was born and raised in New York where he worked in his family’s business, Kate’s Paperie, for many years. After years of upper back and neck pain he found Rolfing to be transformative. Years later after selling the business, he enrolled at the Rolf Institute for Structural Integration to learn to do what had helped him so much.