What is a Rolfing Massage?
- Published: Thursday, October 11th 2018
- in Living Well
What is Rolfing?
Rolfing is a soft-tissue manipulation used to structurally realign the body and enhance overall vitality. The terms “Rolfing” and “Rolfer” are trademarks of the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration.
Rolfing is a kind of myofascial release massage, but Rolfers prefer to call it “movement education.”
Myofascial tissue is the strong, loose layered tissue that covers all muscles. Rolf massage involves touching the skin, feeling around for “imbalances” in tissue texture, and separating fascial layers that adhere.
Rolf massage also works on muscles that have been pulled out of position by strain or injury. It is considered by many as a kind of energy medicine.
Rolfers consider their unique contribution to be to balance the body in gravity, something other forms of massage and soft tissue manipulation cannot do.
Unlike some forms of energy medicine like Reiki Healing, the practice of Rolfing is hands on, and there is no doubt this element of “touch” contributes to its attractiveness.
Fans of Rolfing claim that it can transform their lives by reducing pain and they describe Rolfing as a gentle, deep muscle balancing process that structurally aligns one’s body.
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