Does it hurt?
Rolfing® Structural Integration is not supposed to hurt. The idea is to work with the nervous system, not against it. As a client, you should never be forced to tense or brace against the practitioner’s contact. In a typical Rolfing session with Elli a range of touch is applied, from gentle and therapeutic touch to deeper, more direct touch. Elli pays close attention to her client and their nervous system in order to assure that pain is never a part of their experience in her office. Sometimes releasing long held physical patters in the body can feel intense, but this too can be done in a slow pain-free way.
Does it last?
Because of Rolfing SI's unique and holistic approach, results tend to last for a very long time, if not forever. Rolfing SI offers tissue work over the course of ten sessions which gives the practitioner and client enough time to really make lasting physical change. In combination with the tissue work, the practitioner educates the client on healthier alternative ways of using their bodies, giving the client the skills and awareness to carry the work into their daily lives. That said, it isn’t uncommon for people to come in for tune-ups years or months after they receive a Ten-Series, which are usually in the form of 3 Post-Ten sessions.
What is fascia?
Fascia is a web-like connective tissue that exists throughout the entire body, and works as a support system for all of your muscles, bones, tendons, nerves, and organs. Aging, injuries, over use, and emotional trauma can all cause fascia to tighten, shorten, and get stuck. This results in simultaneous restrictions in many other parts of the body, because fascia connects to everything! Rolfing SI aims to lengthen and reorganize fascia in order to help people find balance and ease in their bodies.
Does insurance cover Rolfing SI?
It depends. Most states don’t cover Rolfing, but that is changing quickly. Additionally, Rolfing can often be covered when a doctor or chiropractor offers a referral. Unfortunately Elli is not currently able to accept insurance, but she hopes to soon!
Photo courtesy of the Rolf Institute® for Structural Integration
Can children receive Rolfing SI?
Children are great candidates for Rolfing. Ida Rolf was even known to work on babies. Children’s tissue is often much more malleable than adults, resulting in faster and easier structural change.
Is Rolfing SI good for athletes?
Many athletes have received and benefitted from Rolfing SI. Rolfing SI can be a great way for athletes to become more efficient in movement, saving energy while getting the most length and strength out of their muscles. It is also enormously effective in addressing athletic injuries.
How can I make the most of my Rolfing sessions?
A Rolfing session is a team effort. Bringing awareness and openness to the table is critical on the part of both the practitioner and the client. Throughout your sessions, there will be many opportunities for actively retraining movement patterns. Rolfing sessions are not passive, and it's essential that you are present both mentally and physically for the experience. If you come willing to engage in the process, your session will be that much more effective and fulfilling.
What do I do after I finish the Rolfing Ten-Series?
Enjoy your new body! The work will have the most lasting effect if you continue to take all that you learned in the sessions and apply it to your daily life. It is common for the work done in the Ten-Series to keep making changes in your body for months to come. For this reason, it is not recommended that you receive any additional Structural Integration work for at least three months after finishing your series. If you ever feel the need for a tune-up, you can come in anywhere from three months to five years down the line.