What Should I Expect In A Rolfing® Structural Integration Session??
Q: What can I expect in my Rolfing® Structural Integration session?
A: Each session is unique to the individual because of Rolfing's collaborative process. The client and the practitioner work together to create change. Sessions range from 60 minutes to 90 minutes on average and incorporate assessments, movement, postural analysis, verbal cues, open and friendly dialogue, manual therapy, and therapeutic discussions.
Q: What do I wear?
A: Sessions are performed clothed as clients are typically moved through ranges of motion and often asked to walk throughout the session. Each session will incorporate assessments and postural analysis through walking, standing and other table and movement-based assessments. A female client can wear shorts such as running shorts or yoga shorts along with a bra, sports bra or tank top. Men can wear running shorts or gym shorts. Clothes should allow the client to be mobile and unrestricted while allowing the practitioner to visually assess the client's structure.
Q: Does Rolfing® hurt?
A: No! Rolfing® doesn't need to be painful to be effective, in fact, a lighter touch has been shown to be more effective in creating a postural change. Connective tissue, also known as fascia, is filled with neuroreceptors. These neuropathways can be communicated with through verbal cueing and movement to help release stored tensional patterns within the connective tissue matrix. In this way, the practitioner and client work together to find the appropriate level of touch to create the greatest amount of change and benefit within the system.
Share
0 Likes
What Is Rolfing® Structural Integration???
What is Rolfing®?
A Rolfing® Structural Integrator works primarily with connective tissue, also referred to as fascia, in a systematic approach that reorganizes the body in gravity. This systematic approach can be accomplished over ten to twelve sessions of manual therapy. The ten sessions are broken down into three categories which are used to describe the work's strategic goals. These categories are called “the sleeve sessions”, “the core sessions” and “integration”.
The first three sessions work within “the sleeve” which is located in the body's outer layer of superficial fascia. In this area, the client and the practitioner begin to differentiate between connective tissue relationships while unraveling restrictions within the superficial fascia. This differentiation allows for more options in function, ease and alignment.
The second group are “the core sessions”. These four sessions within the core group work with deep fascial structures and structural relationships within the body. Again here the goal is to differentiate the working relationships within these areas which help to reestablish internal balance and function within the supportive layers of the body as well as within the body's visceral and prevertebral space.
The final three sessions of the ten series are “the integration sessions”. These sessions work with the body as a whole integrating the connective tissue into working relationships throughout the body. In this manner, the practitioner and client work together to create supportive functions throughout the system while assessing postural habits and alignment patterns.
Through this collaborative process between the client and practitioner one hopes to create an experiential process that allows the client to connect to their body on deeper levels. Through this increased awareness the client can assess their habits and posture while continuing to transform themselves. Some refer to this independent time of transformation as sessions eleven and twelve. The eleventh and twelfth sessions can be described as the three months to year process of independent integration that happens on the client’s own as they move through their life and allow the body to process the transformation that has taken place.
After the ten series and integration, the client is able to continue with “post ten sessions”. Sometimes described as “touch-up work” these sessions can be performed independently or within a group of two or three. These independent sessions continue to adjust the body and assess habitual patterns on an as-needed basis up to the client's discretion.
Thanks for reading! Please continue to check back for more content and updates!
Best,
Vanessa