Rolfing-structural integration

[juliaz]

I am a Rolfer with only three years experience. Recently, I have been asked to give a talk at a scoliosis organization in the city where I live discussing the benefits of Rolfing for people with scoliosis. As a result I may gain new clients whom I would like to treat as effectively as possible.

IF you suffer from scoliosis and have tried Rolfing/ structural integration, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Below are a few questions I am adding as guidelines.

1. how many sessions did you receive? over what period of time?
2. how did Rolfing affect your body's structure?
3. do you think Rolfing is effective in relieving some of the discomfort related to scoliosis? why?
4. what would be your advice to anyone interested in trying Rolfing?
5. what special considerations do you think a Rolfing practitioner should be aware of when working with a person affected by scoliosis?

[RitaR]

I don't know if I'm going to wish I hadn't asked this, but hear goes. What is rolfing?

[mamamax]

I don't know if I'm going to wish I hadn't asked this, but hear goes. What is rolfing?

It's like acid reflux only worse, usually brought on by binge drinking. :-)

Just kidding. Here's a web link: http://www.rolf.org/

[RitaR]

Ha! That made me wonder. I have to tell you, though, anyone stands over me and pushes on my back like that probably wouldn't be standing long......Ha!

[juliaz]

Dear friends,
all jokes aside, I believe that in some instances Rolfing can be beneficial to people suffering from scoliosis. Although Rolfing is sometimes know for being a painful procedure, this isn't really the case. Or at least shouldn't be the case. A good practitioner maintains a steady dialogue with his/her clients in order to adjust to their sensation thresholds.

In my own personal experience, I have worked with people with less severe spinal curvatures who have enjoyed Rolfing and who feel they benefitted from the sessions. I know this will not always be the case, however I would like to ensure I'm doing the best I can on my end to provide accurate information and to make my client's experience a pleasant one.

That is where your own experiences can be helpful to me.

thanx again in advance :)

[trcylynn]

I had one experience with rolfing.

Afterward I felt bruised and sun-burned. I will never try it again unless it's for free...

As he was working my back had a huge ache and so I moved so that it would crack (I NEVER crack my back) and then I felt relief. The rolfer's comment: that's your body readjusting. No, that's my body complaining that you are hurting it.

I spent $150 and the session was at 3pm. By the time I got home at 4pm the check had already been cashed.

Maybe other's out there have had a better experience but mine I felt like I got scammed.

[juliaz]

I had one experience with rolfing.

Afterward I felt bruised and sun-burned. I will never try it again unless it's for free...

As he was working my back had a huge ache and so I moved so that it would crack (I NEVER crack my back) and then I felt relief. The rolfer's comment: that's your body readjusting. No, that's my body complaining that you are hurting it.

I spent $150 and the session was at 3pm. By the time I got home at 4pm the check had already been cashed.

Maybe other's out there have had a better experience but mine I felt like I got scammed.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience and I appreciate your honest feedback.
Unfortunately yours is the 2nd reply (1 was private) in which it seems that the Rolfer used too much force, wasn't being sensitive to their client's pain threshold and actually "hurt" them.
As a Rolfer I find this feedback disconcerting and educational.

Thanks

[jillw]

My daughter has had several sessions with structural integration. She is 9 so they only do a 1/2 hour session on her. It doesn't hurt her at all, as you have said, the practitioner is constantly eliciting feedback - she seems more relaxed afterwards. I have no idea if it helps with the scoli (not to cure it but maybe to help maintain flexibility), but mentally it seems calming-almost like massage is for me.

[MissEmmyF]

i've done the 10 sessions of rolfing, and at $125 each session (for anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half), it was definitely not worth the money and certainly didn't help my scoliosis in any way. plus, i found it to be similar to a deep tissue massage - which you can get for a lot cheaper. also, i didn't like how each session was predetermined. some sessions hardly focused on my back at all (my main problem area). during one session the practitioner actually had her finger in my nose while wearing a glove and having some sort of oil on her finger. that was a little too weird for me - especially when i had to pay her for it!

[juliaz]

My daughter has had several sessions with structural integration. She is 9 so they only do a 1/2 hour session on her. It doesn't hurt her at all, as you have said, the practitioner is constantly eliciting feedback - she seems more relaxed afterwards. I have no idea if it helps with the scoli (not to cure it but maybe to help maintain flexibility), but mentally it seems calming-almost like massage is for me.

Yay!!!
And yay again for Katie who I see is recently out of her brace.

[jillw]

thanks, but she's still wearing her brace (it's just that her most recent xray was taken out of brace instead of in brace)

[juliaz]

i've done the 10 sessions of rolfing, and at $125 each session (for anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half), it was definitely not worth the money and certainly didn't help my scoliosis in any way. plus, i found it to be similar to a deep tissue massage - which you can get for a lot cheaper. also, i didn't like how each session was predetermined. some sessions hardly focused on my back at all (my main problem area). during one session the practitioner actually had her finger in my nose while wearing a glove and having some sort of oil on her finger. that was a little too weird for me - especially when i had to pay her for it!
Hi Miss Emmy,
thanks 4 your feedback.
I see you didn't like the "predetermined sessions" factor and I'd like to take a moment to talk about that, because I love this topic, since I often struggle with it myself! Why go through the 10 session process and not just go touch where it hurts?

I am learning that though each session has certain "guidelines" these in no way should predetermine how the session will be. I use these guidelines to help me plan a strategy based on each client's body structure/needs at that moment.

Also, I wanted to mention why not all session focus on one's main problem area. In order to offer support and length to a person's spine, it is often necessary to free the limbs of restrictions first. For example: it is important for one's legs to be able to "ground" and offer stability to the pelvis and trunk. The arms and neck need to be free of tensional patterns so that once the deep spinal tensions are addressed they don't accumulate in the neck, causing further discomfort.

I realize all this talk isn't gonna change your experience but I'm sure grateful to get to blab a bit about the parts of my job that I like :)

[juliaz]

thanks, but she's still wearing her brace (it's just that her most recent xray was taken out of brace instead of in brace)

Sorry about the misread! :o

[sillycoffeegirl]

I have done a few sessions of rolfing and I loved it. I thought it felt sooo good. My parents paid for a few sessions for me cuz I have scoliosis . But each session was so expensive so I haven't done it since. But after the sessions my body felt so good it felt like I was on a high like I had taken a pill or something. But if it was affordable I would love to do it again. But now I had surgery so I don't kno how that would affect it.

[txmarinemom]

... i found it to be similar to a deep tissue massage - which you can get for a lot cheaper. also, i didn't like how each session was predetermined. some sessions hardly focused on my back at all (my main problem area). ...

I wanted to comment on this based on my experiences receiving massage - and my current ones as I prepare to change careers: I'm in school right now to become a massage therapist ... specializing in pain management for pre/post-op scoliosis.

As patients, we might think the therapist should be focusing on a certain area ... like where we actually *feel* the pain. In reality, that's rarely the case.

For example, many of us with scoliosis deal with burning/fatigue in the rhomboids (located between the medial border of the scapula and the spine): Almost never are the rhomboids the issue.

Typically, the problem isn't even on the posterior side: It's an anterior issue where the pectoral muscles have tightened, hunching the shoulders forward to some degree (especially in those of us that sit in front of a computer all day) - and the poor rhomboids are beyond overstretched, screaming for relief.

It's common to think because our back hurts, that's what should be worked. It might feel good in the very short-term, but in this particular example, the long-term solution to the problem lies in stretching and releasing the chest area - and exercising to maintain laxity.

Another similar scenario is one described by the complaint of countless post-op long fusion patients: "My lumbar area is tight/hurts!".

When questioned, very few know how important it is to keep their hamstrings stretched - and many are unable to keep the iliopsoas group limber on the anterior side of the body. A tight iliopsoas puts the same type of antagonistic strain on the posterior muscles that support the lower back as tight pectoralis major/minor place on the rhomboids.

Likewise, every bit of flexibility you can squeeze from your hamstrings releases pull on everything above.

Personally, I didn't see any lasting result from Rolfing, but I did see a short-term feeling of "lengthening" (for lack of a better word). My pre-op case also wasn't typical as no type of pain management worked for me.

It's certainly isn't a route I'd discourage patients (pre-op and post-op) to investigate, but pick your therapist carefully. I agree completely it should NOT hurt.

Regards,
Pam

[juliaz]

...I wanted to comment on this based on my experiences receiving massage - and my current ones as I prepare to change careers: I'm in school right now to become a massage therapist ... specializing in pain management for pre/post-op scoliosis.
As patients, we might think the therapist should be focusing on a certain area ... like where we actually *feel* the pain. In reality, that's rarely the case...


Hi Pam,
congratulations on your new career choice. Nice move!
I like your clear examples of how the rhomboids can send signals about imbalances elsewhere in the body. Very clear and very true.

[juliaz]

I have done a few sessions of rolfing and I loved it. I thought it felt sooo good.
Good to hear!
Is there something that stands out to you about your sessions that you particularly liked?

[reneemarie]

I had my first Rolfing session this past Saturday. I searched and searched for weeks to find a Rolfer in my area. Finally found someone on the internet who comes to the Cleveland area once a month and has been rolfing over 20 years. He sees patients in a room at the Super 8 Motel. I kid you not. So I dragged my boyfriend with me and off we went. The scene was bizarre! Peeling wallpaper, bad smell in the hotel... I almost turned around and left but I'm glad I didn't. The session was great. I felt a little straighter after wards. I made another appointment for next month. It wasn't too painful. When he was working on areas that were tight, it was a little intense but no different that how a deep tissue massage feels.

[txmarinemom]

Reneemarie ...

A qualified Rolfer wouldn't come to town/schedule a first time patient once a month. Results aren't realized that way.

Was the Super 8 room not a clue?

The first ten sessions are usually done *weekly*. While I'm sure there are exceptions, the methodology you experienced is questionable - at best ...

Save your money for someone who knows what they're doing.

Pam

[reneemarie]

Pam...

I found him on Rolf.org. His status is: Certified Advanced Rolfer, Active. He's been coming to Cleveland to treat patients for over 10 years. I checked his references and actually did a background check. While the location left much to be desired, I try to keep an open mind because you never know what you might find. I'm glad I went.

[juliaz]

Reneemarie ...

A qualified Rolfer wouldn't come to town/schedule a first time patient once a month. Results aren't realized that way.

Was the Super 8 room not a clue?

The first ten sessions are usually done *weekly*. While I'm sure there are exceptions, the methodology you experienced is questionable - at best ...

Save your money for someone who knows what they're doing.

Pam

Pam,
I really think your feedback here is out of line. I think that if Renee Marie felt satisfied with her experience that's the most important clue. Your body knows what it needs and it is important to trust what it's telling you. In RM's case it seems she knows how to listen.
Yes it is advisable to receive sessions closer together in time like once every one or two weeks, however if that is not an option, like in this case, once a month will have to do. and it will be just fine. I've had clients that couldn't come more frequently than once a month and they were still very happy with the results of the sessions.

Julia

[juliaz]

I had my first Rolfing session this past Saturday... I almost turned around and left but I'm glad I didn't. The session was great. I felt a little straighter after wards. I made another appointment for next month.

Sounds good!

[Karen Ocker]

What if she went to the hotel room without her boyfriend? I would not have Rolfing done by the opposite sex.

[reneemarie]

I often find the comments on these forums to be odd and out of line. In my opinion, it seems that some people who have had spinal surgery are quick to jump on those who are seeking alternative treatments. Could that be the case? I surely hope not.

[Karen Ocker]

I often find the comments on these forums to be odd and out of line. In my opinion, it seems that some people who have had spinal surgery are quick to jump on those who are seeking alternative treatments. Could that be the case? I surely hope not.

Thay's not the case at all. Most of us who had spinal surgery already tried alternative treatments without success. Without success meaning: stopping progression or permanent reduction in the curve of adults. This is the sad truth. Who wouldn't avoid surgery if a better method had worked!!!Alternative treatments did help with pain.

Regarding Rolfing. I found it wonderful post-operatively to help with scarring and muscle tightness. My certified Rolfer, a lady, said it would not be able to straighten out scoliosis.

[mamamax]

I had my first Rolfing session this past Saturday. I searched and searched for weeks to find a Rolfer in my area. Finally found someone on the internet who comes to the Cleveland area once a month and has been rolfing over 20 years. He sees patients in a room at the Super 8 Motel. I kid you not. So I dragged my boyfriend with me and off we went. The scene was bizarre! Peeling wallpaper, bad smell in the hotel... I almost turned around and left but I'm glad I didn't. The session was great. I felt a little straighter after wards. I made another appointment for next month. It wasn't too painful. When he was working on areas that were tight, it was a little intense but no different that how a deep tissue massage feels.

Good for you Renee! Hope you will keep us posted on this & wishing you all the best.

[reneemarie]

Thanks Mamamax. Hope you're doing well.