What does the Rolfer do?
I use my fingers, knuckles and elbows to order, manipulate and soften hardened fascial areas. Each session is different and builds on the ones that have gone before. In the first session, which stretches from ears to knees, much of the work is focused on the ribcage and breathing. You will use your breathing in subsequent sessions to help you loosen and focus on tight connective tissue. While it does not appear that symptoms are being dealt with immediately, order and balance does relieve them and they frequently disappear altogether. Often, there are simple movements or activities given to help these new ways carry over into your daily life. Rolfing is good for people who want pain relief, improved posture and performance, as well as emotional processing. For those of us who use our bodies to store "stuff" - just like we store those old clothes and tsotchkes in the basement or the attic - awareness of our bodies helps us locate where we store it, and then you can look at it and decide if you want to keep it. Or not, as the case may be.
