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WHAT
IS ROLFING®?
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IN A NUTSHELL
 Rolfing® Structural Integration is a type of soft tissue manipulation that can truly transform a person’s function, structure and being. Rolfing SI brings the body into more balanced function. It does this through freeing restrictions and reorganizing the fascia, a continuous web of tissue around our muscles, bones, joints and organs.
HOW IT WORKS
To better grasp the concept, imagine a two-ply garbage bag. If the two layers were pulled apart in various places, the result would be something that looks rather like bubble wrap. The body has a continuous sheet of connective tissue from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet, sort of like a body-sized garbage bag. This tissue encloses all our muscles, organs and other structures. In other words, each bubble of our two-ply garbage bag encloses a muscle or an organ. When this continuous sheet of connective tissue is surrounding muscle, it is known as fascia. When it is enclosing digestive organs, like the stomach, it is referred to as viscera. Whatever the location or name, it is part of one continuous sheet throughout the entire body. The job of this connective tissue is to organize, move, and support the body in gravity. It organizes muscles in relation to one another, connects them to bone by tapering into a tendon that attaches to the bone, allows muscle to move bone by pulling the bones towards one another as the muscle contracts, and keeps our organs in place so that when we stand on our heads our intestines don’t fall out of our mouth! Without connective tissue, we would be a heap of unconnected bones, muscles and organs.
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Consider taking one of these ‘bubbles’ out for a moment, imagining it as a Ziploc bag filled with sand. Think of the Ziploc bag as the fascia, or connective tissue, and the sand as muscle. With the bag packed full of sand it should be smooth, rounded, and even on both sides. If you punched one side of it, that side would be puckered in, while the other side would be stretched, strained and tight. This is what can happen to fascia as the result of an accident, injury, surgery, years of poor posture, or uneven repetitive use of the body. Imagine the result if connective tissue is puckered in and shortened on one side, and stretched and tight on the other side. It would not be able to do its job of organizing, moving and supporting what it surrounds and is attached to. It may not be able to function as well, and may be pulling on other muscles or bones or not providing support in the way it should. This may cause misalignment, restriction of movement, pain or other symptoms. Remembering that connective tissue is one continuous sheet through the entire body, it affects not just the immediate area, but can cause problems elsewhere. This is somewhat like the collar of your shirt moving if you tug on the end of the sleeve. The job of the
Rolfer® is to restore function to the connective tissue just as if you were to use your hands to smooth out the puckered Ziploc bag. As she works in one area, she is coordinating the work in that location with how it is affecting the entire body.
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IS IT PAINFUL?
 Pain is not necessary to achieve results. Rolfing SI is best done at a pace and depth that is well within the client‘s comfort level. Some people report a momentary sensation that feels both intense and good at the same time, followed by a feeling of lightness and more freedom of movement. If you ever feel pain, you should tell the Rolfer, as pain can sometimes cause tightening, rather than an opening of tissue. Rolfing SI can offer unmistakable transformation that is gentle, yet powerful.
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Rolfing SI has the potential to help you feel more comfortable in your body. Sometimes people use their bodies in ways that lead to problems. Having to stand or sit in odd positions, awkward reaching, lifting, repetitive movements, or even sitting at the computer all day can result in strains, sprains, back, neck, shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, or foot problems. Rolfing SI can often balance out physical adaptations from these activities. The Rolfer can then help a person find creative alternatives to these stressful patterns so the body is used more efficiently and with less effort. When the body is aligned and functioning correctly, force is transmitted across joints and distributed evenly throughout the muscles and bones. Injuries, fatigue, tight muscles, soreness and pain are less likely to occur. Many people notice improved balance in their structure and better posture without effort as a result of Rolfing SI. Rolfing SI can be effective in treating pain, tension, and discomfort from new and old injuries. It may restore lost flexibility and ease restricted movement. Rolfing SI can be beneficial for the young and old, the professional athlete or couch potato. To find out if your particular concern can benefit from Rolfing SI, you are most welcome to contact me for a free consultation at 850-450-8508 or toll free 888-450-8508.
TESTIMONIALS
I think Rolfing may have saved my life. For 30 years I had suffered with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, tremendous pain from severe accidents including a broken neck, cracked sacrum and herniated disks. I also had post traumatic stress disorder. Some days it was all I could do to get from the bed to the chair. Less than a year after starting Rolfing treatment I am running a horse farm, riding horses, lifting hay bales and 50 pound feed bags. I am pain free and have an amazingly successful and happy life. If Rolfing didn’t save me, it at least gave me my life back.
C.H., Asheville, NC
Rolfing made a huge difference in the way I feel. After 2 major back surgeries I thought I was destined to live a life of stiffness and pain. After completing the sessions I am more flexible, walk more upright, and with a spring in my step. I also believe my pain has been all but eliminated. Thank you,
Sharalee.
Bill M., Pensacola, FL
About 50 years ago I had a heart condition which required 2 years of bed rest sitting with a pillow behind me. It corrected the heart problem but left me with poor posture. Several years ago I heard about Structural Integration and took 10 sessions with someone who was not Rolf trained and certified. It did not provide any meaningful help. However, doing 10 Rolfing sessions with Sharalee made a remarkable improvement in my posture to the point that I am now proud rather than embarrassed.
Verne R. Kennedy, Ph.D.
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Sharalee
Hoelscher, RCST®, Certified Rolfer™
(Lic. No. MA34039 MM19060)
1010 North 12th Avenue, Suite 222 | Pensacola, FL 32501
850-450-8508 – Cell | 888-450-8508 – Toll Free Cell
Copyright © 2010 Sharalee Hoelscher |
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