Rolfing treatment and yoga classes

Rolfing is a health treatment which comes somewhere between massage and osteopathy. Massage is for the muscles. Osteopathy is for the bones. Rolfing, on the other hand, is primarily for the treatment of bad posture and the realignment of fascia (the connective tissues which wrap around muscles and bone). Rolfing is based strictly on medical science but also has a holistic approach to it. Rolfers are very aware that all parts of the body are connected. By treating pain and imbalances in the lower legs, they can simultaneously treat pain in the back.

Rolfing was invented in the 1940's and 50's by an American lady called Dr. Ida Rolf. There are now three major Rolfing schools worldwide. These are in Colorado, Brazil, and Munich. "Rolfers United" is an international team of three Rolfers who are based in Munich. Andrea is German (also speaks English and French), Mattheus is South African (speaks English, German, Afrikaans, and even Swedish) and Tom is Scottish (also speaks German).

Together they offer Rolfing treatments to anyone who suffers symptoms such as back pain, shoulder pain, headaches, and any number of different aches and pains. Except the Rolfing doesn't just tackle the symptoms. Rather it trys to improve the structure, bearing, and movement pattern of the whole body. The aim is to make you aware of your own body and to help you maintain tissue corrections for yourself, indefinitely.

Each rolfing session lasts about an hour. A recommended course consists of ten sessions. These can be taken at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. So a full course might last nearly a year. The first session is really just a get-to-know-you session. The rolfer has to understand the peculiarities of how your particular body is connected together. It is only by the third session that you'll really begin to benefit from any lasting effects.

Any questions please feel free to call me on: 0163 257 0278 or send me an E-Mail

Cheers,
Tom

Rolfers United
Dreimühlenstrasse 10
80469 Munich - Isarvorstadt
U3/6 Goetheplatz
Stadtbus 131 (Isarparallele) Roecklplatz,
Bus 152 Ehrengutstrasse
Website: Rolfers United

This is a paid placement posting.

In case those interested have not been contacted:

I teach at 9:30am on Fridays at WoYo yoga studios. We are also trying to find out if there is enough interest in a wake-up class at 7:30am on Wednesdays. It will be an hour-long class. Send me an e-mail!

If you are reading this chances are that you put in a fair number of hours in front of the screen. I'd like to highlight a few ways in which this could be made less hazardous to you and your body.

Various conditions can affect the computer user and these for the most part are described as repetitive strain injuries.

It can affect the user in a number of ways. Muscle tension wherever it arises in the body, especially in the extremities, will cause numbness and pain, the resultant restriction in blood flow will mean that muscles and nerves do not receive the nourishment that they need for repair, and the removal of metabolites does not occur.

This sets up a cycle of tension, restriction of blood flow, edema, and futher restriction of movement.

These set of symptoms not only occur in the arm and hand but are more serious in this region because the space available is limited, ie. it does take very long before the nerves are affected and the person is aware of pain.

If your keyboard time is relativily short, then basic strategies such as taking a break, resting the hands in a palm up position, and light stretching of the wrist and hand will help. Also, keyboards which rise in the middle help minimise the damage done to ligaments, joints and muscles.

Rolfing is particulary helpful in these situations as a Rolfer is trained in altering patterns of movement and strain throughout the body. Merely concentrating on the site of pain usually produces little or no effect.

The Rolfing approach is to look at the overall structure and body use of the client.

This analysis of the pattern of movement and strain in the entire body often reveals that the RSI in the wrist and hand is only one of indications of a general malfunctioning of the whole structure.

The reported pain in the extremity of the hand tends to lead back to the shoulder girdle and neck. The most usual posture of someone who works alot on a computer is one of the head and shoulders inclined forward, forcing the neck and back muscles to support an unbalanced structure.

Rolfers free up the chronic stress and patterns of stiffness in the connective tissue so that they function more efficiently. Movement, which is within the normal range of joint flexibility, and has the neccessary support from the whole body should never be painful.

Tom Cooper is a certified Rolfer® and remedial massage therapist.

Website: Rolfers United - Munich

This is a paid placement posting.

I'm going to an open day on Saturday for Rolfing and LomiLomiNui Massage (Hawaian). I am already nearly through all my Rolfing sessions, but I'm going to go anyway. Is anyone else coming? They're doing free mini-sessions, and offer a reduced rate for bookings made on the open day.

Yeah, I was thinking of going. Lurch gave me a card a few weeks ago.

Are you gonna go there for 2pm, or later?

Dont know yet, haven't thought about it that much to be honest. If it starts at 2pm then I'd probably go just after.

Maybe see you there, then.

UrbanAngel, I got the little card too. Do you reckon it might be good for my ankle? Or is it not that focused? I read about it but still not sure if I really understand it.

I'm afraid I can't comment, but I would tend to think it is less for injuries rather than structural problems.. but maybe he can. Best thing is to send a PM to Lurch, or give him a quick call - his number is listed above.

rolf!

Anyone had experience of rolfing?

Yup.

Any more informative feedback on Rolfing?

I have tried Chiropractic but that was only a temporary solution, massages also...

You might send a PM to Lurch himself, but don't expect an answer right away. He became the proud father of a baby girl two days ago, so he will not be working for the next two weeks. He will, however, try to answer your PM as fast as possible.

Well, I could do that but he is bound to say it's the best thing since sliced bread since he is advertising his services here... I wanted unbiased opinions from those who have first hand experience as a customer (preferably that have had back and neck problems after working with computers for such a long time) ;-)

I answered the question so superficially since the question was superficial in itself. What would you like to know exactly?

Not really... That's not his style. I suggested writing to him because he can explain if and how Rolfing might help you with specific problems you might have. But of course, asking people for their experience is also fair, so here it goes:

I am an IT consultant and spend a LOT of time in front of the computer. I am also overweight and have an additional set of back problems. I had three Rolfing sessions (had to stop because I had no time due to extensive traveling). After the third session, my posture changed and the back pains and the pains around my shoulder blade disappeared. I don't have problems using the keyboard and mouse anymore. So, all in all, I can say it helped me a lot.

However, it was a little painful, since I am basically a hairy ape and when he works close to the bones, the skin and hair tend to get pulled.

Hope this helps

It was in no way superficial - is it really so hard for you to understand what it is I wanted to know?!?!?
I asked if anyone has had experience with Rolfing - this usually implies that I would like to know about peoples' experiences and not awaiting a simple "yes" or "no" answer... If you can't contribute constructively to the forum, why bother posting at all?

Sounds interesting - thanks :-)
Might give it a try...

Similar to Memo, I spend a lot of time at the computer (freelance translator) and have already had physio, ice packs, massage etc. for "mouse elbow". When the problem recurred a couple of years later, it seemed to be a good idea to go for the root cause rather than the symptoms. I've had several sessions with Lurch now (6 or 7 I think at roughly weekly intervals) and while I haven't noticed any enormous difference in posture, things have definitely changed - my arm/wrist/shoulder pains have diminished considerably and some days don't turn up at all. Also, a session gives me a "lift" for a couple of days afterwards - it's very energising. Agree too that Lurch is not one for blowing his own trumpet. Even when he's giving very clear, lucid and understandable explanations of how the process works, he's very modest about his skills. And he is also honest about whether he thinks he can do you any good or not. Recommended!

Whenever I see this thread I get this mental (and I mean really mental) imagery of a yoga class rolling on the floor laughing. Rofl-ing...

Carry on.

Lucky you. I still get a mental flashback to Mr Harris singing Jake the Peg.

Oh no. Why, why, why, why? How could you do something like that? In my head I now have Two Little Boys on wooden horses chasing a kangaroo in order to tie the bouncing marsupial down.

"Can you tell what it is yet?" Yes I can - what I got out of Rolfing (tenth and last session in 2 weeks' time) was dramatically reduced arm pain, a much more grounded feeling, plus increased flexibility and better balance - in other words, exactly what I was hoping for, a solution to the main problem that also sorted out some general problems as well.
/eulogy mode off/