Transcript STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION/ ROLFING

STRUCTURAL
INTEGRATION/
ROLFING
Keira
Hanby
http://www
.ups.edu/faculty/st
OT 606
one/courses/OT60
6/papers/Hanby_P
resentation.ppt
DEFINITION AND PRIMARY GOALS:
“A holistic system of soft tissue manipulation
and movement education that organizes the
whole body in gravity” (The Rolf Institute
2000).
 Goals:




Release fixations in connective tissue network
‘Unglue’ muscle layers
Increase continuity and balance in a lasting a
progressive way
Ida Rolf (1896-1979)





1916: Degree for Barnard College
1920: PhD in biochemistry from the College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia
University
1920s: Researcher and associate at the
Rockefeller Institute
1950s: Created and refined a 10-session
series of myofascial manipulations
1971: Established the Rolf Institute in Boulder
Colorado
Who Can Benefit From Rolfing?
Those who are in high-stress or
physically demanding jobs
 People with muscle tension
 Persons who feel emotional stress
within their bodies
 Those who want better posture and
increased flexibility

What Does Rolfing Help With?
Chronic Aches and Pains
 Headaches
 Accident Injuries and Trauma

(i.e. whiplash and frozen shoulder)
Poor Posture
 Insomnia
 Joint Problems

*People have testified to having both physical and
emotional changes such as greater range of motion,
improved coordination, a feeling of rejuvenation, and
an increased sense of well-being following Rolfing.*
TREATMENT TECHNIQUES:

Ten sessions that last from 1-1 ½ hours each.
Sessions are generally 2-5 weeks apart.

Sessions 1-3: Superficial Sessions



Focus: the outer fascial layers and the loosening and
balancing of these surface layers
Sessions 4-7: Core/Deep Sessions
Sessions 8-10: Integrative Hours


Concentrate of integrating the balances established in
the superficial and deep sessions
Series of questions that revolve around the client’s body
needs.
Education and
Certification/Licensure




The Rolf Institute is the only certifying body for
Rolfers.
Certification program lasts from 1-2 years in
which 3 units of training must be completed.
Pre-Reqs:Understanding of therapeutic touch and
relationship, Anatomy, Kinesiology, and
Physiology
In many sates (specifically Washington)
individuals must have a license to touch people,
therefore many individuals have certification as
massage therapists, PTs, OTs, or even physicians
before entering the program.
Appraisal:
Effective manual therapy that provides a
holistic approach to those seeking balance in
their whole body.
 Types of Clientele for whom an OT might
make structural integrationist referrals:

Those with musculoskeletal conditions
 Clients engaged in physical performance
activities such as athletes, musicians, and
dancers
 Individuals with occupational injuries such as
repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel
syndrome, and back problems

Painful Reputation:
Rolfing does have a reputation of being a
painful process
 Rolf emphasized the need to work harder and
deeper



It wasn’t until many years later that the Institute
realized that deep work is not necessarily
synonymous with physical intensity
Possibility of ‘temporary discomfort’ or a
feeling of a ‘good hurt’

The benefits of structural integration outweigh the
possibility of pain