Benefits of Rolfing®

Who benefits from Rolfing?

EVERYONE can benefit from Rolfing, from babies to children to seniors. You will especially benefit if you're someone who:

  • feels their body doesn't work as well as it use to, or as well as you feel it should
  • is in a high stress or physically demanding job, especially computer/desk jobs or if you're on your feet all day
  • suffers tension or injury-related aches and pains
  • has chronic pain, conditions, or symptoms, especially back, neck, or joint pain
  • suffers from a repetitive stress injury (RSI) like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, TMJ tension, or other similar ailments
  • is involved in physical activities such as sports, yoga, dance, etc.
  • regards physical harmony as important to good health
  • believes you're living and working below your inherent capabilities
  • considers a balanced, responsive body necessary for the full development of human potential

General Benefits

  • Enhanced breathing - breathe easier and fuller
  • Improved posture and alignment - sit and stand straighter and taller with less effort. Essentially, Rolfing helps you get better aligned in gravity so each segment, or block, of your body stacks up one on top of another.
  • Greater flexibility and range of motion
  • Decreased aches/pain, tension, and stress
  • Improved coordination, balance, and athletic performance - learn how to use your body better in every aspect of your life
  • Increased energy and sense of well-being - using less energy for your movements and posture frees it up for use elsewhere in your life
  • Greater awareness of body, mind, heart, and self
  • Psychological and emotional growth

Rolfing and Chiropractics

Many clients report that doing Rolfing and chiropractic work at the same time helps to keep their adjustments longer. If you have to keep going to back to the chiropractor for the same issue over and over again, then it might be a soft tissue issue instead of a boney issue. In this case, Rolfing could help reduce your need for chiropractic adjustments.

Rolfing and Psychotherapy

Rolfing in conjunction with psychotherapy can also be beneficial. It can help you become more aware of your body and your internal processes. Some clients report emotional release during the Rolfing process.

Rolfing and Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture works with the chi flow in your body. This flow requires hydrated tissue and no fascial adhesions. As such, Rolfing and acupuncture work well together. Many clients report that getting both together is helpful.

Rolfing and Physical Therapy

If you've had a recent injury, you would definitely want to get Rolfing cleared by your primary care physician or your physical therapist. Rolfing could be a great addition to your physical therapy regimen to help you repair the damage and keep your whole body functioning together well during the healing process.

Rolfing and Athletics, Physical Training, and Weight Lifting

If you use your body heavily, Rolfing can provide tremendous benefits. Continual use of your body can lead to fascial adhesions--stuck points--that restrict motion or cause pain. Rolfing can help eliminate these adhesions and help keep your body functioning at it's maximum potential. Weight lifting, especially with improper form or limited range of motion, can lead to imbalanced muscles development. Rolfing can help you learn how to use your whole body in a more coordinated fashion and help to bring balance to your muscle use. You can find more info at the RISI's page on "Rolfing and Athletics".

Rolfing and Yoga and Pilates/Gyrotonics

Are you having trouble getting into "Downward Dog" or other favorite Yoga pose? Rolfing can restore your body to flexibility and allow you deepen your Yoga practice. More info can be found on the RISI's page on "Rolfing and Yoga". If you are a Pilates or Gyrotonics practitioner, Rolfing can help you get a sense of your core and how to stabilize it and move using it.

Rolfing and Meditation

Many styles of meditation require holding certain positions for extended lengths of time. Rolfing can help you become more flexible and able to get into these positions easier and for a longer period of time. Also, meditation styles that focus on breathing can also benefit from the enhanced ability to breathe that Rolfing confers.

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