Rolfing and scoliosis

[lisa7]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum and I have a couple of questions. I was diagnosed with lumbar scoliosis 20yrs ago. I believe my curvature is apprx. 40degrees. (this is based on me remembering what my last doctor said) I have tried massage and chiropractic care. None of these have given any lasting relief. I am now trying rolfing. I am in my second session of the 10 series. My questions are... Has anyone tried this method for their scoliosis, and if so, what kind of results have you had? I have heard stories of people actually decreasing the degree of their curvature through this method. I'm not expecting any miracles, but I would love to see results. So far, I have felt really good, and I feel more "upright". My pain has also diminished. I would love to hear what others have to say about their experiences. Thanks
Lisa

[trcylynn]

Hi,

I have not tried it yet but plan to as soon as the specialist/therapist moves to his new office closer to me and I save the money to know I can go once a month. I asked him as many questions as I could think of and while he didn't guarantee results or being straighter he did say it helped with pain and some people get taller if they have not had surgery (which to me would mean the curve decreased some). I figure after trying everything else why not give one more thing a try. At this point I don't think anything is really going to "hurt" the curve. If there were a practice/therapy that made the curve worse I would assume it would be posted all over this forum to warn people.

Keep me/us posted on how the treatments go. If I can afford it I will have my first appointment in a month when the office by me opens.

Thanks,
Tracy

[Pips]

Before my surgery I tried rolfing and think it was quite helpful. My curves did not reduce in any way at all, but I did find that I had more muscle length and so had less trouble with spasms.

Having said all that, a session would only give me a couple of weeks relief before I got all scrunched up again. I did have quite big curves and feel that it might have had more effect had gravity not got quite such a strong hold on me....

Hope it works out OK for you.

[lisa7]

I have done 4 sessions of rolfing and to my amazement I have already gained 1/2 inch in height. I have a personal trainer at the gym I work out at and prior to rolfing he measured me. I stood at 4'11". he measured me the other day (3 different times, just to make sure) and I measured in at 4'11" 1/2. I went home and had my husband measure me and he came up with the same results. I do feel like the rolfing has been helping tremendously. Aside from the 1/2 inch gain, I feel less pain. I'll keep updating as I get through more sessions.

[becky1956]

I live in Memphis Tn. and am searching for a Rolfing therapist in my area. Does anyone out there know if there's one in my area?


Thanks!

[structural75]

Becky,

You can search for a practitioner via these sites:
www.rolfguild.org - the Guild for Structural Integration
www.theiasi.org - International member association
Choose wisely... I suggest having a phone consultation of sorts to ask questions you may have before deciding on someone.

I don't know if Cordova is near to you, but if so my recommendation would be Larry (Lawrence) Phipps, Cordova, TN 38016-5228 USA
(office) 901-381-1629 (cell) 901-413-7626 ... he's a great person and very knowledgeable.

Best of luck.
structural

[kdawn]

I'm sorry but i'm not familiar with rolfing. What exactly is it?

[structural75]

kdawn,

The following sites will give you the best description of the work. "Rolfing" is a nickname for Structural Integration, the work of the late biochemist Dr. Ida Rolf. You will here it referred to as both, yet they're the one in the same. It's a field of work on it's own, such as physical therapy, chiropractics, massage, etc..

http://theiasi.org/101e.php
http://rolf.org/
http://www.anatomytrains.com/kmi/experience
http://rolfguild.org/aboutsi.html

Here's some info on research...
http://rolf.org/about/research.htm

Hope that helps.

structural

[becky1956]

Thanks Structure for your help!!! I'll check into these sites as soon as possible and will give Larry Phipps a call. Seems there's not much assistance for adults with Scoliosis (I am 51 and was just diagnosed this past July. Won't go into details except that for 15 years I've suffered back pain that was shrugged off by general and specialized doctors.) Unfortunately, my insurance will not cover anything except "surgery", and currently (with my 35 degree curve) I am not accepting surgery as acceptable treatment.

I'll get thru it though........

Once again, THANK YOU!

[yfei]

I have a progressive scoliosis caused me a lot of pain even though the S curve is not big. I have probably had scoliosis as a child, but it was so mild that I never learned about it until 4 yrs ago at age 40. But it progressed so much since then due to a series of unfortunate events. Becky, did you get to try Rolfing? How was it like?