Deep Tissue Massage is Parecida al Rolfing

There are many deep tissue massage techniques that parecida al Rolfing; however they are not the same. Deep tissue massage employs the use of oils and lotions, where Rolfing normally does not. Another way massage is parecida al Rolfing is that the therapist uses touch. There are many differences also. Massage, even deep tissue massage is usually relaxing and isn’t painful; however Rolfing can be a little on the painful side. Many people who have gone to a Rolfing practitioner say that the manipulation of the soft connective tissue beneath the skin hurts, but in a good way.

Many schools teach deep tissue massage, and they also teach some Rolfing techniques, but they are not licensed or certified Rolfers. To be a Rolfer, practitioners must graduate from the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration. Many massage therapists, chiropractors and physicians employ the use of Rolfing techniques, but they may not be certified Rolfers.  Professionals that use techniques that are parecida al Rolfing cannot use the Rolf logo in their company names unless they are certified Rolfers. Deep tissue massage feels good and in some ways is parecida al Rolfing, but it is not the same.

The term Rolfing comes from its founder, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, who received her Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1924, but later discovered how to manipulate the connective tissue of the body to relieve pain from tight muscles, caused by connective fascia. She discovered this fascia covers all the muscles, bones and organs of the body and gives the body and the organs their normal shape. When an area of the body becomes out of balance due to tight thick plates of fascia, Rolfing helps to break down the thickened fascia by manipulation through touch. Deep tissue massage may relax the muscles for a few hours, but Rolfing helps the body and mind exist in harmony together. The body maintains balance in relation to its center of gravity.

Massage therapists that use some techniques that are parecida al Rolfing are very popular, and they may have been educated at one of many massage therapy schools, but a certified Rolfer graduated from the Rolf Institute. There are thousands of massage therapists, but there are only about 1500 certified Rolf practitioners; in this way they are not parecida al Rolfing.

Massage therapy sessions lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, and Rolfing sessions last about an hour and 15 minutes; this is another way that massage therapy isn’t parecida al Rolfing. The Rolfer works on body alignment from the head and neck to the trunk and pelvis to the hip, legs and ankles. Massage therapy helps to relax the muscles, and Rolfing works on the connective fascia to breaks the bonds that hold muscles out of balance to each other. Massage therapy is parecida al Rolfing, but at the same time they are worlds apart.