Our daily activities sometimes change the structure of our body and modify our posture. This can create tension and pain in various areas. Fortunately, there is a natural treatment that can improve the state of health and treat these ailments. It's the Rolfing. Have you ever heard of it? Definition, practice, indications, this article tells you everything about this therapy.
What is Rolfing?
Definition
Le Rolfing is a musculoskeletal method, set up by a doctor of biochemistry named Ida Rolf in the 50s.
This is a method well known as “structural integration”. The goal of therapy is to restructure the body so that it can get back on its central axis.
The technique resembles an energizing massage that acts in depth. It works in particular the connective tissues to bring more mobility and flexibility to the body. It also guarantees a better posture to promote balance within the various structures that compose it.
The principle used
Le Rolfing is a manual therapy that acts on connective tissues typically on fascias, ligaments and tendons. These allow you to maintain the whole body.
The technique is based on two principles.
- An adaptive strategy: promoting musculoskeletal health so that the body can better adapt to rehabilitation.
- A change in posture behavior.
Note that the evolution of an individual's state of health depends on the health of the musculoskeletal structure. The Rolfing method thus makes it possible to renovate the structure of the muscles which allows an improvement in health.
What about the practice of Rolfing?
Le Rolfing is carried out by specialized people called " rolfer " or " Rolfing practitioners ».
The rolfeur begins by looking carefully at the body of the person consulting during a session. This is important to decipher the main characteristics of his posture.
During the session, the patient lies down and the expert performs massages with fingers, palms, fists and elbows.
The method consists of pinching, smoothing, massaging, kneading, packing so that the connective tissues are stretched and softened. As the rolfeur acts on the connective tissues, all parts of the body benefit from it, starting from the head to the feet. A session lasts an average of one to one and a half hours.
The Rolfing practitioner informs the consultant of the bad habits of the posture to be avoided. And at the same time, it indicates the new behaviors to adopt. In short, you will reprogram your body to maintain better posture.
The practice of Rolfing allows at the same time to work on the muscles and to provide a calm state of mind. At the end of the session, the consultant stands for the evaluation of the changes. Generally, he feels relaxation, lightness and dynamism in his body.
The treatment can last an average of 10 weeks with one session per week. However, these parameters may vary according to the case of each individual. A break between sessions may be necessary for some. And for others, the 10 sessions can be extended. It is up to the rolfer to make this decision after evaluating the patient's condition.
Indications for this practice
Le Rolfing is indicated if you wish improve body ease ou relieve skeletal pain.
For back, neck and joint pain
Back pain and chronic pain are becoming more and more common these days. Osteoarthritis is an example of very common joint pathologies. It affects most joints of the body like knees, ankles, wrists and elbows etc. the Rolfing is a natural method that helps to treat this disease.
Various studies have shown that Rolfing can reduce pain in osteoarthritis. Indeed, certain movements constituting the Rolfing's method stimulate the parasympathetic system which explains the relief of pain.
To improve posture
The case of the arched back (called dorsal kyphosis) is a very common posture problem. the Rolfing allows you to fix it. It is a movement education technique by putting the body back in its central axis.
La rolfing technique works the body in depth. It thus makes it possible to correct bad postures and to adopt the original postures.
To improve athletic and artistic performance
Many studies have shown that the Rolfing enables effective use of our muscles.
For athletes, the Rolfing helps to break up scar tissue or restore injuries leading to improved performance.
For artists such as musicians or dancers, it allows them to ward off injuries, but above all to feel comfort while carrying out their activity.
To reduce anxiety and problems related to insomnia
La Rolfing practice reduces knots and strains. Like yoga and osteopathy, rolfing provides physical and mental well-being. It induces a deep inner change which results in a feeling of calm. This state of serenity reduces anxiety and helps you fall asleep easily.
Some useful links
European Rolfing Association
This association supports the French-speaking training created in order to develop a Rolfing training in French.
Various information is available on the website of theEuropean Rolfing Association such as the list of certified practitioners and various associations in Europe.
Training to become a golfer
AFRIS or Francophone Academy of Rolfing Structural Integration
AFRIS offers training on the practice of Rolfing. To register, you can consult this website.
This training is dedicated to all people who are in the medical sector or those who wish to enter this field. This is a training in French.
The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration
The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration provides training to become a rolfer.
It is a training with a duration of 12 to 18 months. It varies from 600 to 731 hours depending on your experience. At the end of the training, the participants obtain a certificate and bear the name of Rolfeur. The official site is www.rolf.org.
This site gives the essentials on rolfing such as theories, applications, description of the training, list of practitioners around the world.
Rolfing Quebec
Rolfing Quebec helps you find a list of certified practitioners in Quebec.
References
https://www.leneurogroupe.org/rolfing
http://m.massage-zen-therapie.com/rolfing-massage-tissu-conjonctif.html
My name is Arotoky and I am studying human medicine. Web editor for more than 5 years, I currently focus on the theme of health and well-being. I have the strong conviction that with my valuable articles, I can help many people to relieve their ailments and feel better. My goal is to share my health knowledge with the general public through web writing.