Ida Rolf, PhD, a biochemist a biochemist 50 years ago developed Rolfing and became interested in the subject of body structure and function while trying to relieve her son's pain. Its original name was "structural integration" but now known as Rolfing.
The theory after the Rolfing is that normally body state is relaxed, comfortable and associated with the Earth's gravity but everyday stresses in people life cause to adjust the way they hold their bodies and the way they move. Such as people spend so much time at a computer that their head drops down and forward, their shoulders hunch over and their ears end up over air instead of directly above their shoulders. Ultimately working against the gravity it puts more stress on the body. Muscles may become shorter on one side and longer on the other and the tissue that connects them - the fascia - may become stiff and even fused, creating adhesions. A Rolfing treatment not only gives you relaxation but also lead to better body mechanism.
Massage techniques are used in Rolfing session but these are done more slowly and deeply. Rolfing main purpose is to affect the structure of the body where the more superficial techniques of massage are not helpful. The work of the Rolfer is very forceful but it depends on the client how to balance the body and the Rolfer has to do a lot of work to release the effects of old injuries. The best way to keep away tensing up by "breathing through" the more difficult techniques. Usually the clients feel relaxed and balanced after the treatment.
Usually Rolfing treatment takes 10 sessions that start with specific areas and then moving to whole-body treatments. These sessions are usually done about a week to two weeks apart. Clients have to do exercises between sessions that will help them to move more correctly. Some people get only one or two treatments for their specific problem but mostly Rolfers deject it.
Rolfing massage treatment help to increase flexibility, better posture, relief of pain, muscle tension, or headaches smoother, more efficient body movement and emotional balancing.
Rolfing massage not only changes the structure but also function of whole body yet Rolfing is not relaxing like other bodywork but seeing its long terms effects so many people like it than anything else.
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