An Overview of Rolfing Practitioners

There are many people who have chosen to become Rolfing practitioners. To be practitioners; they must graduate from an accredited school that specializes in structural integration. The most famous school is the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in Bolder, Colorado. RISI is a two year school that prepares the students to become Rolfing practitioners.

The student not only studies the theory of healing through touch, but they also learn about the woman who pioneered this field of study, Dr. Ida P. Rolf. The student will study from Dr. Rolf’s own early class lectures that have been published into a text book. Students at the Rolf Institute not only learn from comprehensive studies, but also they will learn by a hands on approach.

Until Dr. Rolf discovered the structure and function of the connective tissue called fascia, nothing much was known to help children and adults with structural problems with their bodies. She discovered that fascia is a non-cellular matrix that covers all the muscles, bones and visceral organs in the body. Fascia gives the body and its many structures within its shape. Rolfing practitioners work with their fingers, hands and elbows to manipulate the fascia that covers all the muscles. Rolfing practitioners can make a big difference in the lives of children and adults. Dir. Rolf taught that treating children saved them from suffering from the many ailments that adults suffer from due to years of bad posture.

Rolfing practitioners work on people who not only have structural problems that have developed over time, but also problems caused by injuries of almost any kinds. Both the ones being treated as well as the Rolfing practitioners believe that over time the body is being put back into a state of balance with their center of gravity. The body changes over time due to the effects of gravity, and they believe structural integration puts the body and the mind back into harmony with each other.

Rolfing practitioners document the progress at the beginning and at the end of the 10 week session. The practitioner will take pictures of the client before the first treatment and then afterward to compare the difference for before and after. Usually there is some difference even after the first session.

Rolfing practitioners don’t always know how the client is feeling during the treatment. Though the practice of manipulation is done as gently as possible, it still can hurt. Some clients say it is a good kind of hurt that works to relieve tension and pain. However, if the treatment does hurt, the client just needs to say it hurts and the practitioner will lighten up on the touch.

Rolfing has become so helpful in the treatment of so many structural problems, that many chiropractors and physicians use many of the techniques. Some medical professionals keep Rolfing practitioners on staff because there is a high demand for this service. Rolfing is a growing field; if you are interested in a career as a Rolfing practitioner you should contact the Rolf Institute in Boulder, Colorado.