Rolfing

People come to Rolfing for a wide range of reasons. Many chronic pain sufferers turn to Rolfing as an alternative to surgery, shots and splints. Some turn to Rolfing to rehabilitate from an injury or resolve problems from scar tissue. Some people use Rolfing to combat a lifetime of poor posture that seems to be worsening with age. Others simply want to feel better—to have more energy and flexibility. Still some sense a need for change in their lives and in their bodies. They see Rolfing as a way to reconnect with their bodies—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—and ultimately achieve greater confidence, peace and joy. Many athletes and artists use Rolfing to improve performance and extend their careers.

It is interesting that most people who have the opinion that Rolfing is extremely painful have never experienced the work firsthand. Much of the reputation for pain came from the early days when Rolfing was first gaining public recognition. Since that time, the process has greatly evolved. As far as the actual experience is concerned, the area being worked will vary in sensation and feeling depending upon the severity of chronic stress, injuries, and other factors specific to your body. Feelings can range from pleasurable release to honest-to-goodness discomfort. Fortunately, the work proceeds at your pace and nothing is forced. When discomfort occurs, many clients describe it as a "good hurt" that the body wants and needs. Others say Rolfing significantly reduces the pain experienced in their daily lives or increases athletic functioning to such an extent, that discomfort on the table is worth the trade. 

Unlike massage, Rolfing is a participatory process. You may be asked to “breath” into tissue to help it release, to make small movements under the practitioner’s hands, or to “stretch out of a place” being worked. Participating in the movement feels very different than having work “done to you.” Additionally, Rolfing proceeds slowly and deliberately; there is ample time to relax into the pressure. After the first session, clients often comment that the work was nothing like they’d heard it would be, and are surprised at how good it feels. 

Yes! Photographs taken of clients years after the basic ten-series show changes still present. Physiology explains why: Our bodies are constantly breaking down and rebuilding themselves. Bodies determine how to build themselves based on the way weight and stress is distributed through the structure. When we loosen, lengthen, and shift connective tissue, we affect relationships between structures and change strain patterns. Next time, the body rebuilds itself a bit differently. This is how Rolfing affects structure over the long-term.

Dr. Rolf created the ten-series as a sort of recipe or formula for Rolfing, similar to a tune up for your body. While it was designed as a progressive approach to systematically change your body over 10 sessions, individual sessions are tailored to the results of your assessments and individual issues.

Of course not. Plan to come in for the first session and see how you respond to the work. Most people notice results within the first to third session. The third session is the last of the “superficial” sessions and a natural place to stop if you don’t feel you’re getting what you need. If, like so many of us, you get hooked on Rolfing, session three is the time to take stock of changes and refine goals and expectations for the remaining sessions. If you do plan to continue, it makes sense to commit to completing the series in the next six months. 

The ten-series is designed to leave your structure at a balanced place.

• Many clients complete a ten-series, get good results, and never feel the need for another session.
• Others, view Rolfing as an important way of maintaining their bodies and come in for regular "tune ups" (anywhere from bimonthly to quarterly). This is particularly common among athletes, heavy computer users, and adults with scoliosis.
• Some clients find so much more ease and relaxation in their bodies after Rolfing sessions, that they use it instead of massage.
• Other clients take a break for several months after the ten-series and then request apost ten series, generally five sessions in length, which may focus on the client's specific goals.
• Lastly, some clients only call when they fall off their bike, and "something feels amiss."

These are all good ways to use Rolfing after you've completed the initial work. Do what makes sense to you.

Fabulous. Rolfing and chiropractic can be mutually beneficial. Chiropractic moves bones back to their proper place to restore joint function. Rolfing improves alignment by manipulating the tissues that hold bones — and everything else — in place. If adjustments don't seem to be holding as long as you'd like, there's a good chance that connective tissue is the culprit.

The goals for massage and Rolfing are often very different. Massage is usually about relaxation; Rolfing is about aligning structure and improving long-term function. Both modalities are valuable and one does not exclude the other. Regular bodywork (massage or Rolfing), at least once a month, is highly recommended after your Rolfing series for keeping the kinks out and maintaining a sense of well being.

Movement. We are made for motion. The health of all of our systems — respiratory, circulatory, digestive, you name it — depends on movement. Furthermore, activity allows the body to take unfamiliar movement options introduced by Rolfing and make them it’s own. Our body is very smart and doesn’t waste energy providing functional options we don’t use. So, if you always use your shoulder, a ball-in-socket joint, as a hinge ... guess what? It won’t be long before it only works as a hinge. Mom was right, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

Rolfers are trained and certified by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in Boulder, Colorado — the only school accredited to teach Rolfing. Successful applicants complete a training program that usually requires two years of study. Following certification, ongoing continuing education is required to maintain active status in the institute. Training covers anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; Rolfing theory and structural analysis; soft tissue manipulation, spinal mechanics, and joint mobilization methods; Rolfing Movement Integration techniques; individual research and written essays; and extensive supervised clinical sessions.

We do not accept traditional health insurance as we have found that most do not cover manual therapy. However, we are able to accept HSA cards if you have a Health Savings Account.

Visit our Rates & Services page.

Do not use if you have any of these conditions:

• Skin disorders
• Lupus
• Hemophilia
• Fever and heat sensitivity
• Epilepsy
• Heart disease or a pacemaker
• Recent surgical patients
• Pregnancy or lactating.

If a patient feels sick or their skin becomes clammy while using the blanket, it is highly recommended to stop the treatment immediately.  

Before my sauna session

• Hydrate with water to prepare your body for an increase in core temperature
• Do not eat a meal within 60 minutes of your sauna session

During my sauna session

• Dress or undress to your desired comfort, we suggest a swimsuit or your undergarments
• Don’t be surprised if you do not sweat during the first few sessions as sweating will increase with regular use, removing toxins and leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated
• You may stop your sauna experience at anytime, please listen to your body

After my sauna session

• Dry off with provided towels
• Cool down naturally at least 30 minutes before showering
• Drink at least 24 oz. of water to replenish fluids

If you have ever wished that you could burn calories while lying down relaxing, then your wish has been granted!  It might sound too good to be true, but it is real and scientifically proven!

Dr. Masakazu Imamura, MD published the following study in the Journal of American College of Cardiology:

“If a 150 LB person usually burns around 300 calories jogging or swimming for 30 minutes, the infrared sauna promises to burn 400-600 calories in one 30 minute session.” 

A calorie is a unit of energy that helps us to measure what we are taking into the body. Food provides sources of energy that we need to survive. If the body is not converting the energy into useful nutrients to feed the basic mechanism in the body, then it may store excess calories as fat tissue to be used later in case of a survival situation.

As the body is exposed to the infrared light spectrum, there are several biochemical processes that begin to occur. The mitochondria, essentially an energy plant found in every cell of the body, is sensitive to the deeply penetrative rays of infrared light. This sparks increased production of ATP that releases nitric acid, thereby oxygenating the hemoglobin. Stoking mitochondrial activity through exposure to infrared light not only hyperoxygenates the blood, but also causes increased circulation throughout the body.

The infrared light spectrum activates full throttle circulation and enlists the aid of the heart to keep up, heart rate increases and the cardiovascular system of the body is ignited. All of this is happening as you relax and simply expose your body to the warm hues of infrared light.

The intensity of the internal activity in the body mimics rigorous exercise without you doing anything. Among many benefits, infrared sauna therapy gives the body the illusion of exercise and therefore burns calories at faster rates than a vigorous cardiovascular workout. You can actually, sit back, relax and enjoy the experience of burning calories to shed excess weight in your infrared sauna!

Heat therapy of all kinds stimulates the secretion of Human Growth Hormones (HGH). Human Growth Hormones are anabolic hormones that simultaneously increase lean muscle mass and decrease fatty tissue in the body.

As the internal heat of the body raises, biochemical reactions are dramatic at the molecular level, this thermal transformation activates Human Growth Hormones. Infrared saunas are more efficient at raising the core temperature of the body than any other heat therapy modality and therefore increase the production of Human Growth Hormones, responsible for the conversion of fatty tissue to muscle, at faster rates.

The radiant heat of the infrared rays penetrates the initial layer of epidermis all the way into the soft tissue of the body. The intensity of this process means that the external temperature of the infrared sauna can be much lower than a traditional sauna, and therefore more comfortable. Additionally, the internal temperature of the body will be higher and will thus excrete Human Growth Hormones during shorter sauna sessions.

Through the process of increased Human Growth Hormones, infrared saunas will assist you in transitioning your body composition by changing the muscle to fat ratio in the body to give you a leaner and more sculpted physique.

The most common myth found on the Internet surrounding heat therapy and weight loss is that you only lose ‘water’ weight and that you will gain it back after the sweating has stopped. This myth is unfounded in the biological function of perspiration.

Infrared sauna therapy will stoke the sweat glands of the body to release lots of water as a means of detoxifying the body. What the proponents of the above-mentioned myth do not understand is that the act of perspiration burns calories, that detoxification of the body enables better functioning kidneys, and alleviates stress on the endocrine system, all of which will assist you in reaching your weight goals.

As the internal temperature of the body rises, the regulatory thermostat inside the physiological network will immediately kick in to reduce the temperature. The human body is unique in its ability to self-regulate temperature through perspiration. The higher the internal temperature, the more the body will sweat.

The act of enlisting the sweat glands of the body, the associated increased heart rate burns calories and puts the body into the same state of cardiovascular exertion as if you were exercising, without actually moving.

The skin is the largest organ in the body. By capitalizing on the sweat glands as a means for detoxification, stress on the kidneys and liver are minimalized. When the internal organs of the body are functioning in a healthy efficient way, your metabolism will also regulate itself.

Toxic pollutants in the body create an atmosphere of elongated stress response, this overtaxes the endocrine system. If there is adrenal burnout or a low functioning thyroid gland there will also be excess weight.

Through active sweating in an infrared sauna, you will burn calories and detoxify the body, thereby freeing it of harmful pollutants that stress the physiological system. Remember, states of prolonged stress response in the body will eventually cause you to hold on to excess weight.

Infrared sauna therapy is both an effective means of weight loss and a safe and healthy option. Leave harmful diet pills behind, reduce stress on the body by limiting high impact exercise, and feel free to relax about the food choices you make. Healthy amounts of exercise will still be important and feeding your body nutritious meals that support your health are necessary. But when it comes to weight loss, infrared sauna therapy will deliver the results you want.

Infrared sauna therapy may detoxify the body of harmful toxins by igniting the furnace within to produce copious levels of perspiration. It also supports the function of the endocrine system and will help to balance the thyroid gland and heal the overtaxed adrenal glands.

The relaxation you find in the infrared sauna will gently coax the body out of stress response back to states of relaxation where energy can be directed inward to optimize cellular function.

You can relax, have fun, and nurture the health of your entire being while effortlessly losing weight. In many ways, the infrared sauna is a dream come true for those who have longed to actualize their ideal weight.

Please keep in mind, that like regular exercise and a healthy diet, to maintain ideal weight through infrared sauna therapy, it should become a regular practice. Inquire about our protocols and discount packages for best results!