Leon Fleisher is a world-renowned pianist and conductor whose career hit an abrupt and stunning roadblock when his right hand stopped working. He sought out help with the symptoms of repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel syndrome to little avail. But, with the help of Rolfing, he was able to revive his career and perform two-handed after a decades’ long struggle.

Read more about his story at the Internet Cello Society: Carnegie Hall Pianist Leon Fleisher Healed at Zoh’s Ruscombe Mansion

These are photos of Elisha.* They have been altered to show only the outlines to protect her identity and more clearly show the contour differences that occurred as a result of the Rolfing 10-series and three Movement Integration sessions.

Important changes include: the resting position of the knees (locked before, relaxed after), horizontalized pelvis with improved activation of transversus abdominis, reduced thoracic curve, and easier position of head and neck.

Before 10-series (left) | After (right)

Elisha received her 10-series from Matt Hsu, Rolfer and Postural Therapist in San Diego

The hallmark of Rolfing Structural Integration is a standardized “recipe” known as the Ten Series, the goal of which is to systematically balance and optimize both the structure (shape) and function (movement) of the entire body over the course of ten Rolfing sessions. Each session focuses on freeing restrictions or holdings trapped in a particular region of the body. A practitioner also maintains a holistic view of the client’s entire system during each session, thus ensuring the transformational process evolves in a comfortable and harmonious way.

Rolfing 10-Series Visual Overview

» Continue reading “What is the Rolfing® Ten Series?”

The following famous people have undergone Rolfing:

Professional athletes

• Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers coach says, “I’m the kind of person that likes to physically challenge myself. I think (Rolfing) is a valuable resource…for keeping myself together.”
• Charles Barkley, former basketball star
• Chris Carter, ex-Minnesota Viking football star
• Qadry Ismail, Baltimore Ravens football star
• The Phoenix Suns basketball team has players work with a Rolfer
• Mario Lemieux, hockey legend
• Bob Tewksbury, ex-pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
• Ivan Lendl, former tennis champion
• Craig Swan, former N.Y. Mets pitcher, and Certified Rolfer, whose career ended from a sports injury. “Bodywork can extend athletic careers,” says Swan. “I truly believe if I had received Rolfing in the early part of my career, I would still be pitching today.”
• Bret Saberhagen, former Kansas City Royals Pitcher
• Tom Seaver, Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
• Jeff Linder, competitive cyclist » Continue reading “Who’s been Rolfed? (famous figures)”

People come to Rolfing looking to:

• Find relief from chronic pain (repetitive strain, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, low-back pain)
• Speed injury recovery
• Improve poor posture (hunched shoulders, swayback, craned neck)
• Address structural issues (scoliosis)
• Break through performance plateaus (e.g. dancing, skating, running, biking)
• Get back in touch with their bodies

For more information on the benefits of Rolfing, visit the Rolf Institute’s website.

Rolfing is a holistic therapy that realigns and reeducates the entire body to allow for more efficient patterns of movement and less strain on the body in daily life.

» Continue reading “What is Rolfing?”

The short answer is no.

The long answer is that it can involve intense sensations, but today’s Rolfers never want that intensity to turn into grimaces and protective tightening in clients. Such physical responses are viewed as counterproductive to bringing about lasting change. » Continue reading “Does Rolfing® hurt?”

Though the exact chronology of Ida Rolf’s life is unclear from available sources, it is clear that the Rolf Method of Structural Integration can trace its roots from osteopathy, Hatha yoga, homeopathy, and naturopathy. » Continue reading “Where does Rolfing® Structural Integration come from?”

Rolfing works by addressing range of motion restrictions throughout the body to establish a more balanced, efficient whole. It is believed that Rolfing and myofascial release techniques work by contacting fascia, the filmy white stuff that surrounds and is continuous with ligaments, muscles, bones, and organs. You’ve seen fascia if you’ve ever prepared raw meat. It’s that icky white stuff under the chicken skin and on your slab of raw steak that is always a struggle to cut away no matter how sharp the knife.

Though fascia is 3D and loops around and about all over the body, it may be helpful to envision it as latex. The entire body is wrapped in latex. The structure of the body is being held together by constant tension. When, say, a shoulder is moved out of place, the latex still keeps the shoulder sucked into the torso, but the shoulder doesn’t move right. The hips are a bit skewed. The knees are bowed. The neck is craned. There are a host of structural issues being held together by the latex wrapping. Rolfing loosens up the latex (fascia) around all this to help all the parts of the body find their ways back home. Basically, when the latex gets loose, the pull of gravity brings everything towards the plumb-line.

How exactly the actual touch techniques work, however, has been up for debate for decades.

According to the latest research, Rolfing and other forms of myofascial bodywork work by contacting mechanoreceptors within fascia, thereby changing the way the body’s self-regulatory mechanisms function. » Continue reading “How does Rolfing really work? (the neurophysiology of touch)”

Robert Schleip was Germany’s first certified Rolfer.  He turned into a histological researcher after 13 years of teaching Rolfing and becoming dissatisfied with the “pseudoscientific mentality behind what [he] was doing.”+

His website, www.somatics.de is known for its collection of articles discussing the techniques and philosophy of Rolfing as well as other somatic therapies. » Continue reading “The Robert Schleip Collection of Articles for Professionals and the Public”