My Rolfing Experience

[Jerome]

Wow, what a gem of a thread from you, Bliss, and Texas-Gal! It makes me feel a little less ignorant when people talk about Rolfing and I sort of want to go ahead and experience some sessions. But I'm busy/chicken still (I'm scared of intense work, I don't even like intense deep tissue) so I'll just keep living vicariously through your journaling. Thank you for this!

Thanks Seebs! Although I like deep tissue therapy, I don't like painful techniques, so I specifically chose this Rolfer, hoping to avoid them. However, it looks like that might not be possible. I’m realizing that the restrictions in my body are strong, built over many years, and some are even hereditary. Therefore, I can expect that changing them is difficult, both for me to experience, and for the Rolfer to achieve. I also perceive painful techniques as hurting me, and I dislike & distrust pain. Maybe I need to communicate more with my body, before & during sessions, letting my body know what Rolfing is trying to do, and ask my body to welcome the work and the beneficial changes. I also may need to reframe the way I experience pain; is it possible for pain to produce positive results? Can I trust the work enough to allow for that possibility? Lastly, I need to communicate more with my Rolfer, to work within a range that's comfortable for me. I admit, since Session 2 incorporated painful work, I'm a little scared of what's to follow in the remaining 8 sessions! But I'm not giving up yet! I do want a more balanced body, and the freedom that can provide.

P.S. I just saw that this thread was made a "Sticky." Cool!

 

[gridagent]

Session 3: Talk With My Rolfer
At the start of my session, I talked with my Rolfer about pressure, and he assured me he can adjust as needed. I just need to let him know when the work becomes "too much". If I have trouble speaking up, he said that I can touch his hand. That cue he'll immediately understand. This will be helpful during neck & face work, where speaking can be challenging.

I also asked more questions during this session, to better understand the intent behind his techniques. His explanations helped me relax and accept the work easier. My rolfer plans to be more verbal in future sessions with me, for this reason.

Techniques
Session 3 works the lateral fascial lines of the body: TFL, Iliac crest, ribcage, shoulder, etc. and many of the techniques were the same as Texas-Gal described in her session. However, this session wasn't painful for me. It reminded me more of deep tissue therapy -- strong pressure, but still in the "feel-good" range. My rolfer also included techniques during this session that coordinated my movement with his pressure. For example, bending and straightening my leg, while he worked the Tensor Fascia Latae. Or, while I sat on the Rolfing Bench, he would “pin” the fascia of my upper shoulder with his forearm, while I slowly turned my head in the opposite direction, instituting the fascial stretch.

Craniosacral Therapy
Since my rolfer has advanced training in Craniosacral therapy, he always ends my sessions with some Craniosacral work. During session 3, he did some detailed work around my head that included some unusual ear pulls. When he finished, I felt a warm flow envelope my head. It was amazing. I’ve experienced Craniosacral work about a half-dozen times over the years, and that was the first time I felt a release. He said that I have some imbalances craniosacrally that he will continue to work throughout the Rolfing series.

Stopping Point
Session 3 finishes the "Sleeve" portion of the Rolfing series. If you're thinking of stopping without finishing the series, this is a good stopping point. My husband decided to stop here. I'm continuing forward.

We took "after" pictures, to see if there were any changes. For my husband, we noticed 2 changes:
1. His left shoulder was higher than the right before beginning the series. Now the shoulders are balanced.
2. He had a "leaning back" posture that is now more straight.

 

[TimeWarp]

Session 4:
This was the first of my Core sessions and focused on the legs. The goal was to free the legs from the pelvis, so they can move independently of the torso. Most of the work was done in sideline, with the top leg supported by a bolster, while the Rolfing focused on the medial side of the lower leg. (Same as Texas-Gal describes above). Techniques included deep tissue strokes and static pressure, with me occasionally moving my leg in partnership with the work. The left calf was much more tender than the right, and I had to breathe through some moments, but it never crossed into uncomfortable pressure. There was a lot of static pressure to the tendon attachments around the pelvis, including the pubis & ischium, which felt odd because it’s such a personal area. It was also tender, never having received bodywork before. I was aware again of how vital professional trust is with Rolfing, and how it definitely pushes the limits on body comfort.

Once the leg work was complete, my session ended with some time on the Rolfing Bench, focusing on my shoulders. One of my favorite techniques was this:
• I sat on the bench, back straight, and arms hanging by my side.
• I slowly externally rotated my shoulder, then internally rotated it back to neutral, and repeated this motion a few times.
• Simultaneously, my Rolfer did some deep fascial strokes across my anterior shoulder. It felt wonderful.

After Effects:
For at least the past year, I've noticed when I walk that my gait is uneven. My stride is longer on my right and shorter on my left, due to a “hitch” restriction at the anterior leg/pelvis attachments. It's possible I've had this imbalance all my life; I just started paying attention recently. After this session, that “hitch” is gone. My gait’s even & my stride is longer and freer for both legs.

My husband stopped after 3 Rolfing sessions, and it's now been 2 weeks since his last appointment. He's had more time to notice the changes in his body, and he's seeing a marked increase in both his balance & flexibility. One example is that he’s never been able to sit indian style on the floor without holding his knees to keep his balance. If he doesn’t hold his knees, he falls over backwards. He was even this way as a child. Now, that's changed. He can sit indian style comfortably, with his hands free.