In the 1940s, biochemist Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D., created what’s known as Rolfing therapy (a.k.a. Rolfing Structural Integration) near Tampa. This type of bodywork grew exponentially in popularity throughout the 1970s, especially among those who were looking for alternatives to traditional medicine. Today, it’s rising to popularity again as many people have started acknowledging the numerous benefits that are associated with manipulating fascia.   

What is fascia?

The first thing you must know in order to understand more about Rolfing is what fascia is. Essentially, it’s a type of webbing (a.k.a. connective tissue) that’s responsible for holding all of your internal body parts together in one place so they don’t move around inside of you. It surrounds your muscles and stabilizes your bones, which is why you have it attached to every tendon, muscle, bone, ligament, and tissue inside your body. 

What conditions are caused by congested fascia?

People near Tampa who believe that Rolfing therapy is beneficial (whether they be patients or practitioners) say that it works because gravity and repetitive movement make your fascia become congested.  

How’s Rolfing clearing up this congestion?

Rolfing practitioners near Tampa use the various parts of their bodies (e.g., knuckles, hands,  elbows) to release, realign, and rebalance your entire body for you. The idea behind this is that once they create more space in your fascia, you’ll be able to let go of your tension, thus freeing up more space inside of your body.  

How’s Rolfing different from massage?    

Massage and Rolfing therapy near Tampa are two types of hands-on approaches that are used to release tension and bring about both emotional and physical relief. While you can find both of these therapies available near Tampa, they do differ in a few key ways. The main one is that while Rolfing treatment is more intense because it aims for structural change, whereas massage is more localized.

Does Rolfing’s treatment hurt?

Regardless of what type of bodywork you have done, anytime that it is done, you should feel confident enough to speak up and let your practitioner know when and if you’re experiencing pain. While pain isn’t normal, it is important to understand that fascia isn’t always easy to manipulate. Therefore, Rolfing may sometimes need to be more intense. Typically, this pain and discomfort will only last during a session, not afterward.

Is Rolfing safe?  

Rolfing therapy is based on some proven scientific theories, but still more research needs to be done in order to better understand its safety and risk factors. There have been a few small studies conducted that have shown that Rolfing treatment can be helpful for those who are suffering from back pain and fibromyalgia. There’s also been a study done suggesting that Rolfing improved walking in a group of children who’d been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. However, these studies only had a very small group of participants.    

Where can you have Rolfing’s treatments done?

If you wish to consider getting a Rolfing treatment, you should do so from a certified practitioner. Williams Rolfing near Tampa, FL, offers specialized Rolfing therapy services to help clients improve their posture, alleviate chronic pain, and enhance overall well-being. With a team of highly trained and experienced practitioners, they’re dedicated to providing personalized treatments tailored to each individual’s unique needs.