Sessions 1 – 3

Opening your body with Rolfing

The first 3 sessions of the series are designed to loosen and balance surface layers of connective tissue.

Session 1 is devoted to enhancing the quality of breath with work on the arms, ribcage and diaphragm. We also begin opening along the upper leg, hamstrings, neck and spine.

C1 – Response to treatment

Dear Mandy,

I am not sure what to share but here are my thoughts in bullet points:

·      Mentally stressed as I was gorgeous at one time, but now I am feeling old and dumpy. 

·      Physically okay, but didn’t know how to breathe correctly at Santiago’s directions.

·      Amazed that Santiago found such deep points that are painful to touch. 

·      Appreciate Santiago’s quiet, yet firm approach. 

·      Immediately after the treatment I am acutely aware of my posture. 

·      I am now aware of information about myself and my body, and how I lean more on my right side. 

Well, I will monitor myself tonight and tomorrow for more information about my response to Rolfing.

C2 – Response to treatment

My first Rolfing session went well.

Santiago is professional and knowledgeable. He assessed my posture and balance before he began the treatment. I could tell he is committed to helping his clients. I was prepared for painful manipulations but I experienced little discomfort. Afterwards I was relaxed and refreshed. I feel my balance is improved and my posture is improved. I have no soreness and I slept well.

I believe my neck issue will be corrected as Santiago advances his treatments.

Session 2 helps give the body a stable foundation by balancing the foot and muscles of the lower leg.

Treatment 2

C1 – Response to treatment

My reflections on Treatment Two

·      The treatment was a bit deeper and a bit more painful; however, not unbearable.

·      Actually, the deep tissue work seems – briefly – to ease a bit stress – too bad that I’ve come into this treatment with some mental and emotional stress which has affected my physical being.

·      My neck still feels tight, knotted, and limited.

·      For some reason, or another I didn’t realize that I would have to have an active part in the Rolfing process. 

·      I have mixed thoughts on this process, as I have only experienced the therapist doing the work, while I drifted off into “la la land.” Maybe that is why I didn’t particularly like Pilates because it requires work. Geez, I am not a lazy person – but I am a bit mentally and emotionally tired – thus, the effect is not having physical vigour.

·      Just before the treatment started, I had several episodes of “charley-horses,” which is another name for muscle spasm  – in my toes.

·      When Santiago worked on my right foot and lower leg, at times the pressure and/or pain seemed to register in my right lower back and hip. Again, not unbearable, but noticeable.

·      Yet, when he worked on my left foot and lower leg, the pressure (no pain) register in my left cheek area – symptom of a muscle tremor.

·      Walking home from the treatment, I was acutely aware of walking with my center core, and not with my hips alone – definitely, not with the knees. The walk was a bit arduous – but I felt more regal. Interesting.

Well, I look forward to Treatment Three. Hoping that my body will have a “Eureka Moment.”

Thanks

The follow day we received this message…

Dear Mandy and Santiago,

WOW! This morning, although ever slight, I noticed that I have more range of motion in my neck-to-shoulder area. Quite happy about this discovery!

C2 – Response to treatment

Today Santiago began working on my lower extremities, to correct my feet. It was an interesting and methodical procedure.

Of course, before starting, he analyzed the way I stand and the geometry of my feet. I think I “duck walk.” So, he set about to make the placement of my feet parallel. After his treatment, first on the left, then the right, he had me stand and walk. I was amazed at how things changed after this treatment. It took a moment to adjust to the changes in my balances. In the beginning I thought there changes would be gradual – perhaps imperceptible. However, I feel we are making rapid progress. I am looking forward to session number three, two days from now.

Thanks

Session 3 generally involves a “side view” for an understanding of how the head, shoulder girdle, and hips are positioned and how they related to one another when standing under the influence of gravity.

C1 – Response to treatment

Good Afternoon Mandy and Santiago,

Simple report today

• Treatment 3, Santiago manipulated the area around the rib cage.
• Although the manipulation around the waist area hurt a bit, the results was rewarding, as I felt as if the blood flow had free passage to my brain – ha ha, the brain needs aerated blood – makes for clearer thoughts.
• The interesting premise of Rolfing is each treatment focuses on one part of the body, in contrast to a deep tissue massage that covers the entire body in a 45 to 60 minute session. Thus, I am not sure I grasp the concept of the Rolfing segmented approach because I wonder if the un-manipulated parts of the body have a more negative effect on the treated area; or does the manipulated parts of the body have a more positive effect on the un-treated area. Hmm.
• Well. I look forward to Treatment 4.
• Santiago recognizes the points in the body that are knotted. He’s a holistic practitioner.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts.

From the team

Hello,

I think your thoughts are very profound actually.

That being…the un-manipulated parts of the body are just that…untouched by the regular practitioner.

And with good reason.  It takes a specialist to manipulate these areas and they do not need it often.  

As we discussed, a few times in your lifetime.  

It is a unique and profound moment for your body to realign and heal itself.

Thus the profound changes.  

Thank you Santiago for your professionalism.

Thank you for trusting us as a team.

Mandy

Next post we delve into the core as our clients progress through the Rolfing® Ten Series with sessions 4 – 7 and share their insights with us.

References:

https://www.rolf.org/ten_series.php