What is the Rolfing method of structural Integration?
Rolfing structural integration is hands-on bodywork that focuses on aligning the body. Those who are certified to practice this type of bodywork are known as Rolfers™.
Structural imbalances of the body, can lead to chronic pain and disability or inhibit performance. An example is poor posture manifesting itself as back pain. Rolfers address the root causes of these imbalances through manipulation of connective tissue and movement education. Their aim is to realign and balance the body’s structure and to optimize movement.
Rolfing structural integration differs from other types of bodywork in that the entire body structure is assessed on how it interrelates. In this way, a Rolfer will focus on the primary causes of problems, and not on secondary symptomatic relief, so the results tend to be long lasting.
Rolfers often see far reaching results in their clients, beyond standing straighter, or reducing pain. According to Dr. Ida Rolf, the originator of this practice, the effects are more wide reaching:
“Personality is not a mental thing, to me personality expresses a two sided coin, one side is the physical and one side is the mental. A serious change in either one will most certainly result in a serious change in the other.”