Rolfing works on the seamless, three-dimensional network of tissues that begins just beneath your skin, penetrates into your bones and is continuous from head to toe. This tissue is called fascia and is the primary focus of Rolfing.

Typically, a first session begins with an in-take interview where we discuss why you want to receive Rolfing, your physical history, and how you are currently feeling. This is also a time when your Rolfer can answer any questions you have about the Rolfing process. Next your Rolfer will analyze your body structure and its functioning. To do this your Rolfer looks at you in standing or walking, places hands on your shoulders and hips to feel the alignment of your body and how it is balanced. From the analysis, they form an outline of a treatment plan. At each step of the process the Rolfer is evaluating the progress of treatment based on your body’s response, and your feedback. Rolfers use hands, knuckles and the occasional elbow to discover and relieve places of strain, they are both discovering and correcting your body’s physical pattern. Your Rolfer is looking to see how muscles and other connective tissue are balanced around bones and across joints.

At the beginning of each session your Rolfer forms a plan for that session by reassessing your body structure. They find out how you have felt since your last session and how effective the treatments are feeling to you. We re-analyze your body structure, taking into account where we are in the process and the work we have already done. From this your Rolfer forms a strategy for each successive session. Each Rolfing session concentrates on different aspects of your body’s structural and functional pattern. The results become cumulative as each session’s results add to the previous ones. Optimum results are achieved within a series of sessions that are individually tailored to meet your specific needs.

Rolfing has a reputation of being a very painful technique. The purpose of Rolfing is to help the body open up and move more freely. Painful work is counterproductive to Rolfing's basic goals. My goal as a Rolfer is to work with each individual to find the amount of pressure that is both comfortable and will open tight areas of tissue.

I suggest you come in and get one session, and see how you respond to the work. If you like it, go on to try a few more sessions.

The length of a session can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, but varies depending on what we're doing.

People often confuse Rolfing with deep tissue massage. Rolfing and massage may look similar at times, but the goals of the two are different. Generally, the goal of massage is to decrease tension, improve circulation and bring a sense of relaxation to the client. The goal of Rolfing is to bring about structural changes with lasting benefits in posture and quality of movement.

Yes. With areas of tension or old injury held in our bodies, we unconsciously move in ways that accommodate or protect these areas, pulling the structures out of alignment. In addition, gravity has a downward pull over time, leading to postures and habits of movement that can cause discomfort, pain, or a lack of energy. As Rolfing brings length and openness to areas that have been tense and contracted, the body will start to find a new way of aligning on its own. People often find that the old way of moving starts to feel uncomfortable or awkward, reminding them to keep moving in a new way. Habits of moving that have been established for a long time are unlikely to be completely changed in ten Rolfing sessions. However, Rolfing can reverse the patterns of habitual movement and create the trend toward realignment. Rolf clients will often experience reduced tension, less pain, increased range of motion and improved energy, as the body rediscovers its capacity for resilient change.

Anyone who is looking for more comfort and ease in their body can benefit from Rolfing. Many people who come to Rolfing want relief from chronic pain or help to rehabilitate an old injury. Other people come to correct a lifetime of poor posture that is worsening with age. Many athletes and artists use Rolfing to improve performance and extend their careers. Some people want more flexibility and energy. And others are seeking 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.

Most people come to Rolfing for help with pain, discomfort or impaired mobility. Others come to Rolfing because they just want their body to feel better and to improve their quality of life. Rolfing improves performance, enhances posture, and augments personal growth.

Even life-long postural habits can be dramatically improved with Rolfing. The Rolfing process systematically realigns the segments of your body structure and teaches you how to maintain balanced positions during your daily activities. Good posture results from a well aligned, balanced structure. Posture that requires attention or effort to maintain will never be sustained– as soon as you stop thinking about it you slip back into a misaligned position. First we distinguish between structural restrictions and limiting habits. Next we work to release, balance and realign the structure. Then, as your structure improves, we teach you how to recognize and maintain better, balanced positions. Rolfing is famous for its positive effects on posture.

As we age, health and quality of life are directly related to how easily we are able to move and do the things we enjoy. Because Rolfing helps restore suppleness, balance and fluid movement, it is one of the most effective therapeutic manipulation methods available for aging. It creates balance through alignment and ease of movement in stiff joints.

Chiropractic is primarily concerned with freeing spinal joint restrictions and promoting nerve flow to and from the spine. It does not address the soft tissue patterns of the whole body and their influence on structural balance. The Rolfing method uses gentle soft tissue techniques to treat osseous restrictions that are a part of the overall body pattern. Rolfing, massage and chiropractic care can be used together in a complimentary way.

Because people will be asked to move around some during a session, Rolfing is done partially clothed. Skin contact is preferable so most people wear underwear that they’re comfortable in, a bathing suit, or loose fitting shorts. Women usually wear a bra/sports bra. If you prefer more coverage, you can also wear athletic shorts and, for women, a tank top. It is never necessary to be completely unclothed and you can be draped with a top sheet for comfort.

Please don't wear denim, heavy sweats, tight tights or heavy spandex. It's difficult to work tissue through heavy material. Please apply moisturizers, lotion, or oils lightly.