frequently asked questions

You have a seamless web of connective tissue (fascia) throughout your body. This fascial system is vitally alive and responsive, and is constantly adapting to the events and actions of your life. 

Our bodies cope with injuries, shocks and losses, and with modern stress, shoes, and sitting. They reach, walk, carry, type, drive, and jump. They help buffer emotional pain, and find ways to survive dangerous events. Tension is one of the body's tools for support and protection, and the body reinforces the web of fascia around patterns of tension and bracing. 

Rolfing uses direct, thorough and detailed hands-on soft-tissue work to mobilize stuck tissues throughout your body. When needed, we also do movement education to support the body's ability to make use of new possibilities. 

Rolfers work with the pathways of fascia, and with the relationships between different parts of your body. We take a holistic view, and see that trouble in a specific part of your body as part of a pattern that involves the whole body. 

Every Rolfing session is different and the process is cumulative. Over time, the sessions can add up to create significant and lasting changes in how the the body feels and moves.

You can find information on the science and research about fascia here. 

Experiencing a session is the best way to know. Most people can tell right away if Rolfing is a good fit. (And for most people who feel attracted to Rolfing, it is a great fit!)

You can do Rolfing for wellness or high performance, but most people come in because something about their body hurts, is distressing or preoccupying, takes a lot of energy and attention to cope with, or prevents them from doing something they need or want to do.

People come in because they:

• are uncomfortable or tense.
• have pains and strains that aren’t resolving.
• have an injury that is “healed” but still doesn’t feel ok.
• can't comfortably do work, workout or hobby anymore.
• feel stuck.
• are unable to relax.
• have anxiety, or “don’t feel like myself”, after a stressful time or significant event.
• feel like their body is holding tension from difficult life experiences.

...and more. See additional scenarios here.

Something will happen for you with every session. How many sessions you'll have depends on your goals and needs.

Some people get what they need with handful of sessions, or even a single session. 

A traditional Rolfing experience is a series of 10-15 sessions that thoroughly address your entire body. This process is great for a lot of people, and is frequently what we do.

Many people will get occasional tune-ups after their initial series. 

And some people find Rolfing to be continuously supportiv, and it becomes an ongoing part of taking good care of themselves, coming in as needed or settle in to regular sessions.

So there's a big range. Sometimes a simple pain resolves in a single session. And sometimes a thorough Rolfing series is just the beginning. 

Skilled Rolfers use a spectrum of touch, from very light to firm and steady. Sensations vary from mild to strong, and should always feel genuinely welcome. I continuously track tissue responses, and make subtle adjustments to speed and pressure—creating a welcome and enjoyable experience, even with deep pressure. 

People commonly report that Rolfing feels great, like the body is finally getting the kind of contact it has been wanting. Sometimes sensations may be strong. Some clients will say things like "wow, that's really sore. But please don't stop doing that, because it feels great!"

If sensations ever become painful, or any other sensation that is not truly welcome to the body, I change my touch. There are many ways to make contact, and it is very important to give your body an experience it genuinely wants to receive. We don't have to make things intense to be doing great work. And we don't help your body change patterns of bracing by giving it more to brace against. 

During and after sessions you can expect positive and pleasant body experiences, including lightness, spaciousness, fluidity, balance, support, and relief, and feeling grounded, calm, vitally alive, relaxed, upright, and connected.  

My long answer to "What does Rolfing feel like?" is here. 

During the session, I like to be able to see your body and have direct access to your skin. For most of each session you will be lying on the table, but sometimes you will be sitting or walking. Women can wear bra and underwear or shorts and a tank top. Men should wear a comfortable pair of gym shorts.