Q and A on Rolfing

Visiting a Rolfer is an experience in itself. I had occasion to be rolfed some five years ago. I completed three sessions of the ten not because I found them ineffective, quite the contrary, but I was moving to a different town and could not, unfortunately for me, complete the series. In any event, I had come inappropriately dressed but not so much so that the session would have to be be abandoned. I was allowed to keep my thin, loose T-Shirt but had to wear shorts and get rid of my jeans. Before doing any work, the rolfer took my health history - including illnesses and injuries and he wanted to know what results I expected from Rolfing.

Later he had me walk, while he watched my gait to detect imbalances in movement, he had me bend at my knees and do a variety of movements to gauge the areas that needed work. Some practitioners even take before and after pictures of their clients, which work not only as a showcase of their work but also helps keep them on track by reminding them of where their clients hold tension and which areas require the most care.

My rolfer had me lay down on a massage table. There was very soft, almost inaudible, music playing in the background while he worked with his fingers, palms, fists and elbows digging in to break knots in circulation and kneading the fascial sheath to flexibility. I would feel burning sensations in some areas of release, hot and cold flashes in others, pleasurable warmth at times and even an inexplicable urge to cry or laugh. He explained to me memory was stored in body cells and what was released was more than just a fascial hardening or knotting, it was blocked energy emotional and physical, that this process was essential to restore the body to health. During the session my rolfer would also gently ask me what I was experiencing and whether I might be able to endure more work in a particular area. I found this very comforting as I realized that I was in complete control of what I felt my body could handle at a given time. I found each session began with an examination of my movements and ended with another such round to allow me to detect if I felt any difference and each time there was a considerable change. My rolfer also sent me home with advice to drink a lot of water for the following 24-48 hours and taught me a few exercises to perform until the next session. These exercises were meant to reinforce the changes he had initiated in the movement pattern.

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