What can I expect?

Educating clients away from physical patterns of movement that are out of line with gravity and negative to the whole being, a Rolfer can bring about positive changes in an individual that could last a lifetime.

Rolfing may be a new path taken by clients disappointed with their current health regime. Its holistic approach to overall well being may sit comfortably alongside other therapies.

Rolfing's greatest ambassadors are its clients. Rolfing is a reputable, trusted therapy that has been successfully undertaken and viewed as a positive experience by individuals who had previously lamented their sense of life quality and well being.

In a society that values a diverse approach to healthcare, Rolfing offers a tactile, chemical free practice that may be experienced by the client as beneficial to the whole person.

Clients with high body awareness, such as athletes and dancers, report and delight in the subtlest of changes that can assist in improved performance.

Does it hurt?

Some parts of the treatment may be uncomfortable or painful depending upon injuries and chronic stress as well as other factors, however the work will be at whatever level is comfortable for you.

What conditions can Rolfing help with?

Clients and practitioners have reported improvements in many conditions after a series of Rolfing sessions. The primary aim of Rolfing is the improvement of structure, posture and movement. Therefore, any overall lack of well-being that relates to these issues can be responsive to Rolfing. The improvement of structure through Rolfing is a process designed to benefit the whole person. It is not a therapy for medical conditions.

How is it different from chiropractic work and osteopathy?

These disciplines tend to focus on bones, particularly the spine, whereas Rolfing is concerned with the rehabilitation of muscle and of the connective tissue structures that support the bones, with the intention of creating space for the bones to re-align.

How many sessions do I need and how often?

This will depend on your personal aims. For the relief of a particular discomfort, up to three sessions may be enough to yield improvement. However, if your aim is a long term change in your overall sense of well being for body and mind, the series of 10 sessions spaced around two weeks apart as Dr Rolf originally advised is recommended, although sessions can be closer together or further apart depending on the circumstances. The time lapse between each session allows the client to physically adapt to new patterns of movement and to reflect on what has been learned and accomplished so far.

It is recommended that the series of 10 sessions is completed within a reasonable timescale, as the goals of each session create a foundation for subsequent ones. However, you can stop treatment whenever you want, or take a break and come back later.

A follow-up session a few months after the series of 10 sessions is recommended in order to support and facilitate ongoing developments. In some cases a short series of sessions focused on a particular area of development potential is recommended.

What are the long-term benefits of Rolfing?

The changes do last! However, as life changes, so our bodies change in response to our activities and environmental factors. Occupational and emotional stress, injuries and repetitive strains can all have a detrimental effect which may benefit from further treatment.

Many mind-body factors affect how Rolfing is received and perceived by each client. Therefore, the long-term effects are entirely individual. How well a client is able to engage with their own body and the degree of their individual capacity for change will influence the initial outcome and long term benefits. The key objective of Rolfing is always an improved structure with optimised function. Optimising function is personal. A small improvement for one client may represent a significant personal achievement for another.

Can I still practice my sport while having treatment?

Yes, many people experience improvements in their performance during and after the course of sessions. You may experience some muscle soreness after exercising as the range of movement and the demands on your muscles will be different, and previously under used muscle groups will become available due to the realignment process.

What about contra-indications?

Of course if you think you may be ill you should consult your GP. There are specific conditions that are not suitable for Rolfing and these will be fully explored before any intervention is started.