Rolfing - what is it ?

Rolfing is both similar and dissimilar to deep massage therapy; developed about 50 years ago by Ida P. Rolf.

This treatment manipulates the deep connective tissues of the body.
The practice of Rolfing provides longer lasting pain relief than massage therapy.  The effects of massage therapy lasts for about 24 hours; however the effects of Rolfing lasts over time to improve posture and to put the body back into balance.

Similarities of Rolfing

The similarities of Rolfing to deep tissue massage are that the therapist puts his/her hands on you to manipulate the connective tissue beneath the skin.

The therapist uses specific techniques to achieve this.
Rolfing does not diagnose or treat disease, but many people who have been treated by a Rolf practitioner do report having pain relief.

As with deep tissue massage, Rolfing can be very light and pleasurable, but it can also be a bit painful or even “hurt” in a good way.
If the client feels uncomfortable from the pain, he/she just needs to speak up and let the practitioner know so less pressure can be applied.

Differences of Rolfing

A Rolf treatment is totally different than massage, even though it is sometimes thought of as a type of deep tissue massage.

In massage oil or lotion is normally used, but in Rolfing no lubricant is used at all, unless absolutely necessary for tissue manipulation.

for more...
http://altmedicines.roxy-health.com/blog/rolfing.html

By Nick Naggar
http://www.roxy-health.com