Anyone tried ROLFING?

[gemtastic]

I have signed up for my first session next week....a little apprehensive about being in my underwear with a stranger.....I definitely have posture issues: flat feet, leg length discrepancy, family propensity for hunchback/kypohsis. My husband is always after me to "stand up straight". Has anyone tried it, and if so, was it beneficial? I am signed up with a male "rolfer" on the recommendation of a friend, but have found a female locally. Wondering if I should switch to be more comfortable.

 

[ksinger]

I have a question for you: are your feet really flat? As in, are your feet normal looking when not standing on them and flatten out when you step down? If so, they may not really be "flat feet" in the sense of a malformed ankle joint articulation. Can you hyperextend joints like ankles, knees, fingers, elbows, etc. If you have flat feet and those other things, you may not have real flat feet at all, what you may have is benign joint hypermobility, which can be anything but benign. It can cause all sorts of joint issues over the course of a lifetime. When I found I had this, I could go down a checklist of problems caused by it, and it was pretty freaky to read all about ME in that symptom list. I had zero idea so much could be explained by that alone.

If that is the case with you, I'd be careful of rolfing or any bodywork modality that purports to break up myofascial adhesions, because your connective tissue may not heal as quickly.

Honestly, I'm wary of all really deep tissue work. When I was in massage school, we learned that when you work to the point of real pain (and I'm not talking about "Oh, man, that hurts so good!" type of "pain"), you are damaging tissues, pure and simple. Perhaps you NEED some connective tissue busted up, but understand that that IS what's happening.

I sure as heck would not let someone tell you you have to let them hurt you to help you. Even most PT I've had has not been truly painful, and when it became so, they backed off. I'm not sure rolfers do.

Be careful.

 

[gemtastic]

Thanks ksinger. My feet are definitely flat. Not normal looking. I can actually never remember having arches. I have been in shoe orthotics for the last 20 years for my feet. My dad has flat feet and my mother has super-high arches. I don't have anything hyper-extendable about me

I am definitely concerned about trying it....but I am concerned for anybody to work on me. Hard to know who to trust. I fear that anyone (PT, massage, chiropractor, etc) could potentially make the situation worse. I hurt my left trapezius a few months ago and it is to the point now that I can't sleep on my left side. I carry all of my stress in my shoulders--they keep creeping up closer to my ears! I only typically get a massage once a year while on girls weekend, and every year it is the same--the massage therapist tells me I need to get worked on regularly I wish!

I don't want to develop chronic myofascial pain, so feel I need to address this now, just don't know what the best avenue is.

 

[JewelFreak]

I've never been rolfed, for the reason ksinger stated -- something that's supposed to help you shouldn't really hurt. Unless a dr. recommended it. Have you asked your doctor for recommendations re types of treatments? That's where I'd start, I think. Good luck!

--- Laurie

 

[TooPatient]

I've been taking FI in for soma massage (?) where they deal with muscles and body alignment. They have him strip to underwear and then they go to work doing super deep muscle/body manipulation. They also have him stand up part way through and walk around the room in nothing but his underwear. They do a lot (with FI anyway) where they work with his hips, upper thighs, chest muscles, diaphragm (like hand UNDER the ribcage ) and more. He does drape a sheet over FI but moves it (uncovering the bits you'd want to have covered) as he works on different areas. The person he is seeing is very good and is a man.
Since I had back problems and am still dealing with soreness and stuff due to that, I've had the thought that this guy could probably help me too. (listening to him talk, it is clear that what he corrects would easily include my remaining issues)
BUT -- I would be extremely uncomfortable with him touching me in the places he's been touching FI and then having to get up and walk around with nothing but underwear (I don't know if I'd even have a bra...) in front of a man.

Anyway, I don't know if this is the same thing you're talking about.
Personally, I'd find a woman to work with because I'd be more comfortable. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what YOU are comfortable with.



ETA: just re-read one of your posts. This guy does a lot with the fascia (sp?). One of FI's problems is that his shoulder/neck is lifting up and actually starting to freeze in place. (he called it something like frozen shoulder?) If you've got that going on, you REALLY want to get help before it gets bad!

 

[ksinger]

Thanks ksinger. My feet are definitely flat. Not normal looking. I can actually never remember having arches. I have been in shoe orthotics for the last 20 years for my feet. My dad has flat feet and my mother has super-high arches. I don't have anything hyper-extendable about me

I am definitely concerned about trying it....but I am concerned for anybody to work on me. Hard to know who to trust. I fear that anyone (PT, massage, chiropractor, etc) could potentially make the situation worse. I hurt my left trapezius a few months ago and it is to the point now that I can't sleep on my left side. I carry all of my stress in my shoulders--they keep creeping up closer to my ears! I only typically get a massage once a year while on girls weekend, and every year it is the same--the massage therapist tells me I need to get worked on regularly I wish!

I don't want to develop chronic myofascial pain, so feel I need to address this now, just don't know what the best avenue is.

No, you absolutely do NOT want this. I also found relatively recently, that there seems to be a strong correlation between people having joint hypermobility and then later being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I firmly believe that low-level chronic pain I've had all my life (and that I just dealt with) that comes from the defective connective tissue and all the injuries and overextensions you typically have from it, is what blew up on me later into fibro. So, in your case the pain may not be from the same cause, but chronic pain is chronic pain. It looks like chronic pain can be a factor in the formation of fibro, so I wouldn't risk toughing it out. You may luck out, but you may not. If I had it to do all over again, I would not tough ANYTHING out. I'd be complaining at the top of my lungs and all over that pain until it could be adequately addressed, however that ends up playing out. I really believe my long stoicism resulted in my central nervous system sensitizing to pain, and boom. Here I am.

If you do end up going in for rolfing, and you're uncomfortable with the idea of a male, then for heaven's sake find a female who does it. There is no reason you have to deal with THAT discomfort too, and there is nothing wrong with feeling it. Bodywork IS intimate, and you have to be comfortable to relax enough to have it do you any good. Deep work when you're clanked up from being freaked out, is going to be even more unpleasant.

One last bit of advice, if you do any deep tissue work, it's by FAR the best to hang out in a hot tub first if you can. Even just a 20 minute soak in your own tub at home, or a good extended hot shower. Anything to soften up the tissues before the deep work. It will help reduce any pain of the work and make it more effective by far.

 

[gemtastic]

Thanks for everyone's reply.

Laurie: I actually don't have a doctor (other than a Gyn) At 38 have been lucky to be healthy. I do need to find a regular doctor, as I am getting older and want to establish care before something does happen!

TooPatient: Yeah, the more research I do, I think I would be too tense with a man working on me. I am glad it is helping your FI. I am just don't want to go to someone because they are a *woman*, if the best person for the job is this particular man....don't know if I can get over my own hangups.

ksinger: Yes, I have put this off far too long, because I can tough it out--except now I can't sleep! Good suggestion about hot tub/shower prior to treatment. I actually was worried I was developing fibro --super stiff in the morning, pain with just touching parts of my body. I am trying to be proactive and hopefully change the course of of this. Am not always sure that *western* medicine is the right answer, although I have never been to PT. Sorry for all that you have been through.

 

[TooPatient]

Thanks for everyone's reply.

Laurie: I actually don't have a doctor (other than a Gyn) At 38 have been lucky to be healthy. I do need to find a regular doctor, as I am getting older and want to establish care before something does happen!

TooPatient: Yeah, the more research I do, I think I would be too tense with a man working on me. I am glad it is helping your FI. I am just don't want to go to someone because they are a *woman*, if the best person for the job is this particular man....don't know if I can get over my own hangups.

ksinger: Yes, I have put this off far too long, because I can tough it out--except now I can't sleep! Good suggestion about hot tub/shower prior to treatment. I actually was worried I was developing fibro --super stiff in the morning, pain with just touching parts of my body. I am trying to be proactive and hopefully change the course of of this. Am not always sure that *western* medicine is the right answer, although I have never been to PT. Sorry for all that you have been through.

The man that FI is seeing is great that way. He says what he is going to do and why before moving from one area to another. He also shows on his body where he'll be working and lets you speak up if you're uncomfortable. I also suspect that he has methods (like more careful sheet draping and making sure you can cover yourself comfortably before getting up to walk around) to make women more comfortable. You should also be able to have your husband with you in the room at all times if you want.
If the man people are suggesting is really that good, you should be able to talk with him for a bit and then have him respect your comfort level as he begins to work. (worst case you just say that you aren't comfortable and if he doesn't respect that tell him you're done and find someone else to work with -- it isn't a lifetime commitment to the one person!)

 

[Efe]

I went through the initial 10 sessions of Rolfing about 20 years ago. I have since had probably 15 advanced sessions. I will not lie, it hurt like h*ll, but I felt like the advantages outweighed the discomfort by far. I had been dealing with lower back pains for years and got real relief from the Rolfing. I was also starting to slouch and had shoulder pain. The Rolfing unlocks the fascia and allows the muscles to align properly again.

You will spend the whole time in your bra and underwear. I had a woman Rolfer for all sessions and really wouldn't be comfortable with a man because they start the sessions out by having you undress and they look at your alignment both front and back. It was never too pleasant having a woman do it, so a man, no way. They do have you get up periodically and walk around so they can see what has improved and what areas need more work. My Rolfer told me that she has some clients that wear their bathing suits to feel more comfortable!

One of the interesting outcomes of Rolfing for me is that I now have what my doctor describes as "enviable" lung capacity. My lungs have expanded so much that they will no longer fit on one xray. I never had this before the Rolfing.

Someone told me recently about Soma and that is is basically the same philosophy, but without the pain. This was not available at the time I had Rolfing done, but I probably would have tried Soma first.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ally T]

I have never heard of rolfing, but sort of get the picture from what people have written. I absolutely HATE any form of 'therapy' that is sudden, painful & performed on muscles & joints that have not been warmed up properly. The reason: my honeymoon 6 years ago was a month long road trip across the US with lots of flights & sitting in cars. I felt crunchy & stiff around my neck & shoulders so booked an appointment with a chiropractor when i got back to the UK thinking he would whip me back into shape. He was highly recommended & extremely respected. However, by pure horrific accident he managed to snap the C7 vertebrae in my neck by performing a very sharp head twist with one hand whilst restraining my torso with his other arm. Legal proceedings aside, I was in a neck brace for 3 months, had physiotherapy until last year (a total of 5 years treatment) and still suffer with nerve damage causing sharp pains in the right side temple, severe dizzy spells & tingling / numbness to my left fore arm & fingers. I am now a bit obsessed with running, swimming & keeping my body strong as it helps to alleviate the symptoms significantly.

Very stressful & frightening. The snapped off piece of bone is nestling 2 vertebrae lower, pressing on my nerves, which they cannot remove as it will do more harm than good. I am SURE that there are many people with positive stories to tell about physical manipulation, but wanted to share my experience. Sometimes things can go wrong

 

[gemtastic]

Thank you for the info Effe. Your post was very helpful. I will look into Soma. The woman rolfer offers a complimentary 30min session, so I think I will go and at least meet with her. If I feel uncomfortable, or that more harm than good will come to me, then I will be out of there!

Alex T: for this reason I have avoided dealing with my issues. I am super paranoid that things will be made worse. I can't imagine going through what you did. Now I am rethinking just going to a doctor and getting an RX for physical therapy.....Thank you for sharing your story.