Alternative Medicine Remedy Blog » rolfing

Rolfing: A Different Kind of Massage

healthconscious — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:54:28 +0000

For many people, there is little to no different between traditional massage therapy and rolfing. But for those who are rolfing practitioners or “rolfers”, as they are sometimes called, as well as for those who are rolfing proponents, rolfing is a completely different type of therapy. While it still involves the manipulation of soft tissue in the body, rolfing differs from massage therapy in its basic principles.

Essentially, the purpose of rolfing is to loosen up the soft tissue in the body so it does not interfere with the function of the muscles. Through a period of ten one hour long sessions, the rolfer will help the patient to lengthen their tissues and muscles. This also puts the body in alignment with gravity, something that rolfers also attribute to physical comfort and general wellbeing. Rolfers also offer advanced and maintenance sessions for regular recipients of rolfing treatments.

Rolfing and Criticism

healthconscious — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:53:05 +0000

Surprisingly, there is less criticism for rolfing that there is for many other types of alternative therapies and natural healing practices. This is partly due to the fact that rolfing has some proven success. Research has shown that patients suffering from illnesses like cerebral palsy and chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as patients suffering from chronic lower back pain, have noted improvement in their physical wellbeing. Unfortunately, there is not conclusive proof to solidify rolfing’s place as a medically recognized therapy.

There is no evidence that rolfing is harmful to the body, so any relief brought to a patient is a benefit. However, as with soft tissue manipulation techniques like massage therapy, people who have skeletal problems, blood clotting disorders, and pregnant women should consult a medical professional before receiving rolfing therapy. This is because there is little scientific study done on rolfing in general, let alone on rolfing as it affects conditions like these.

Rolfing + Yoga = Better Health

healthconscious — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:49:46 +0000

The practice of yoga focuses on bringing balance and strength to the body by using movements and poses. The practice of rolfing focuses on bringing balance and proper structure to the body through movements and soft tissue manipulation. This, of course, points out the similarities between rolfing and yoga, as well as pointing out the subtle differences. But the best part about these two practices is that they can be used – and often are used – together to produce the same effects.

Since yoga does not use soft tissue manipulation, it is thought by rolfers that it is not quite a perfect method of helping and therefore healing muscular and body structure problems. However, combining rolfing with yoga adds the need to manipulate soft tissues to complete the lengthening process of the tissues, thus bringing the body into balance.

Rolfing, Yoga, and Common Objectives

healthconscious — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:27:24 +0000

There are many similarities between rolfing and yoga, both in theory and in practice. Not only do both of these natural therapies involve the use of movement to strengthen the body, they both also employ breathing methods to lower stress in the body and to improve the body’s internal functions. But some of the most interesting similarities come in the common objectives of yoga and rolfing.

Both rolfing and yoga practices share purposes like the improvement of flexibility, coordination, and body posture and alignment. Many practitioners of both rolfing and yoga find they have greatly lowered stress levels, and they also can find relief from physical problems like breathing difficulties and chronic pain. One of the biggest benefits from both of these practices is increased energy, and along with increased body awareness, both practices bring about all-around wellbeing.

Rolfing and Yoga: Are There Drawbacks?

healthconscious — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:25:51 +0000

There has always been a lot of controversy over natural healing and alternative medicines. And while some of the criticisms are founded in actual concern for the patient – such as physicians being concerned that seriously ill people will not seek traditional medical help – other criticisms are not realistic.

There has been almost no research to show that the average person won’t reap some kind of benefit from both rolfing and yoga. Be the benefits mental, emotional, physical, or social, almost everyone can count of some type of help from participating in these therapies. Of course, as with any physical activity, a doctor should be consulted before you begin; some people with skeletal deformities and other types of physical problems could have problems with these practices, especially if they are not provided by a trained professional.