Rolfing®

Rolfing® massage combines some of the better known methods of deep tissue massage with the theory that the realignment of bodily structures can help to improve overall health. As a prospective massage therapy student, you may find that you are already familiar with the techniques of Rolfing® massage even if you’ve never before heard that name.

Rolfing® massage is named for the Rolf Institute, which is located in Boulder, Colorado and was founding by Ida Pauline Rolf. The Rolfing® method of massage dates back to the 1950s and calls upon the principles of gravity in order to align the body properly to enhance not only structure and posture but also overall health. When the practices of Rolfing® first came into use, this type of massage was referred to as Postural Release. As the techniques of Rolfing® were refined, it became known as the Structural Integration of the Human Body. Because of the wordy title and the need to have a simple way to refer to the techniques of this type of treatment, it came to be known as Rolfing®.

Whereas many types of massage focus on the deep tissues of the human body, Rolfing® focuses on the soft tissues. Although pressure can be used in the technique of Rolfing®, it is often very light pressure. Practitioners of Rolfing® use their sensitive fingertips in order to move around on their patient’s skin and find areas that may be out of balance. When areas are found that are out of balance, a series of movements or deep pressure applications can be performed in order to restore a patient to structural integrity.

As a student of the Rolfing® technique of massage therapy, one of your most important studies will be of human anatomy. It is vitally important to know the location of different parts of the body and to understand the interrelatedness of these parts of the body. Studies include both abstract and practical techniques. In other words, after you learn the techniques and theories of Rolfing®, you will then have the opportunity to see their use in practical application.

Patients who seek to restore the balance of their bodies through the techniques of Rolfing® often follow a very standard regimen of treatments. Most commonly, a Rolfing® practitioner will schedule their patient for ten sessions, so that their entire body can be restored to it’s best structural form. Each session will last around an hour and a half. In order to get the best results from Rolfing®, each session focuses on a different area of the body with a specific goal in mind to restore health to the patient.

Practitioners of Rolfing® often combine its practice with other forms of treatment or massage in order to heighten the benefit to the patient. In addition, a patient may see both traditional Western medical solutions to their ailments while combining in a series of Rolfing® sessions to supplement and heighten any healing that is experienced.

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