Hi Everyone,

I'm curious if anyone has ever heard of a form of connective tissue body work called, "Rolfing." Has anyone ever been treated by a rolfer?

I have, several times since my injury and it's pretty amazing what they do to re-lign the body. I don't know if there are a lot rolfer's in the world, so a person might have to travel to see one, like I did.

If anyone is interested you can find information about this treatment modality by typing in the name of the woman who came up with this to help people many years ago. Her name is "Ida Rolf."

Please let me share a story with you. After my incident in 1985 (when I was crushed) It really altered my whole body. I went to see a rolfer in 1990. I was very sceptical to be honest, but a good friend of mine whom I really trusted suggested this to me. So I gave it a try. It really helped me at that time.

This is considered "deep" connective tissue work. The rolfer told me that my quad muscles were not located in the proper place. That's the big muscle that's in the front of your leg between your waist and knee. I thought the guy was crazy. Apparently this one thing alone could be causing pain in the whole pelvic area. It's difficult to explain this type of treatment, but I'll do my best. The rolfer works on the fascia (connective tissues) of the different muscle groups. So he follows this fascia in some cases with his elbow buried in the muscle. This hurt like crazy as he was doing this along the side of my right leg. I was in so much pain all I could do was deep breeth. I actually felt the muscle start moving towards the top of my leg. He says, "ok it's close to releasing, get ready we're almost there." I'm thinking, almost where? This hurts like he**. Then all of a sudden the fascia broke loose and the quad muscle literally swung itself up onto the top of my leg. I couldn't believe it. I mean I really felt the muscle go back in place. He then switched to the other quad muscle and it did the same thing. It made me a believer.

I'm sharing only a small piece of information here about my experience with rolfing. But the "before" and "after" pictures that were taken of my posture, the alignment of my body, position of my head, was amazing. It took 12 sessions to treat my body. He nor I could handle all of that body work in one day. It took about 12 weeks. Believe it or not, he told me many surgeries on backs and other areas of the body have been avoided because people tried rolfing. I'm certainly not saying anyone here could do that. I'm simply sharing some interesting information with my friends. Everyone have a great day, I hope someone finds this interesting and perhaps helpful.

By the way, a Chiropractor would be more inclined to know about rolfing. But I'd be very surprised if a ortho or any traditional type doctor has ever heard of it.

Tenntod

Hi Tenntod, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I do remember either my chiropractor or massage therapist discussing this with me, if I recall correctly, they spoke very highly of this procedure.

I'm not sure if anybody does it in my area, because I was then shoved off into my 13 different blocks, and RFA procedure, so I never got a chance to fully look into it.

I'm so happy it worked for you http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
You certainly deserved some type of relief, after that horrible ordeal you had to live through http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif

Not a day goes by now, where I don't think of you and your inspiring story, you are truly amazing http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif

I wonder if Successtory or Shirl have any info. on this procedure ?

O.K. Girls, time to shine http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
I imagine one of you has had to hear about this procedure, during your course of research http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thank you so much for sharing this info.

Have a super evening,
Baxter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif



------------------
Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

hehe....OK Baxter...ya wisenheimer http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/tongue.gif But alas, tis true. There is, in fact, an office directly across from my chiropractor that specializes in ... yup ... rolfing! Rolfing does have it's place as in the case of tenntod...maybe even for a few of us too! It is a very aggressive method of bringing everything into it's proper place and alignment. As tenntod said... "it hurt like (the dickens http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif) but he literally moved the muscle back to the top of the leg."

I think for me (personally)...it is not an option (my chiro agrees in my case)...as my injury was due to repetitive stress, and not an accident where my body was contorted in some way (much like tenntod's body was)--so my muscles are where they are supposed to be. But people in car accidents or from falls, where the body is twisted "the wrong" way, etc...(sorry to be so graphic here), their muscles catch and get lodged into ligaments, bones, and the like (as tenntod described). A rolfer has studied the muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. and is like a chiropractor... but with the softer tissues. Does that make sense?

A person definitely needs a referral to see a rolfer, as their treatment(s) run on the more aggressive side. But if you are a candidate...that is an option that should be visited! Howz that? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/grad.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif:


------------------
successtory
Oct 2000: Repetitive Stress Injury-Inverted Hernia
Feb 2001: MRI. Shows only slight bulge at L4-L5
Dec 2001: Discogram/CT scan shows Inverted Hernia at L5-S1. L4-L5 & L5-S1 ruptured in all 4 quadrants. Unable to walk.
Feb 2002: IDET, Nucleoplasty, Intra-Discal Injections
Sept 2002: Rated in the top 10% for successful patients. Retraining for new career.

Hi Successtory, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I bet myself $100.00 you would know this one http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/tongue.gif
I just had to tell myself "I told you so", OOH, it felt so good http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I thought this may fall into the healing arts of some sort. I was serious, not being wise. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif
You passed the test my dear http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif
Sign me up for that book !

It's not surprising they are near a chiropractor, and I believe that was who told me, but then again, my massage therapist was in with my chiropractor. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif

How have you been doing on the research ?
I hope all is well with you, I haven't been around as much, I'm always lurking though, just not on all day like before.

I'll catch you later, and I hope you have a terrific evening.

Be Well,
Baxter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love2.gif

------------------
Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

[This message has been edited by BAXTER (edited 01-13-2003).]

Ohhhhh yeah, I've been rolfed! (I just wish the name sounded a little more pleasing, eh?)

When I first hurt my back, I was trying for pain management with acupuncture, and came across the rolfer who had an office in the suite right across the hallway.

I thought I was gonna die! Ooh I loved it, it hurt so good, but wowza, when he started working on my butt I thought I'd jump off the table.

It's essentially controlled microdamage, and I know that there are many schools of thought out there, some that are pro and some against,... and I know some people who swear it works just because the pain is so severe that you feel great just getting off the table and knowing it's over. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif

I find it to be a very interesting experience, and I'd love to be rolfed again,...and while I understand it's a course of therapy, just as physical therapy is, I still wish I could get just one or two sessions just for the sake of getting mauled a little bit for symptomatic relief.

Other than the pain (which personally I enjoyed for the most part) - the financial aspect was too much of a deterrent for me. It's between $100-$150 per session, each session lasting about 45 minutes, and you "MUST" sign up for 12.

The before and after pictures are pretty interesting when you see the posture...the approach is also pretty interesting when you consider how the body is treated as a whole (you can tell my favorite "THEME" when it comes to the human body and ailments) -- and how it shows that a dysfunction in one area of the body can cause pain in an entirely different area of the body, and how we make ourselves sicker by continually focusing on just the area of pain and neglecting the rest of us.

I treat people the same way in my practice - and it is, I admit, quite often like talking to a wall because people often do not want to hear this, and many don't want to believe it.

Yay to rolfing, good stuff.

BTW, as far as I know -- isn't there only one true school, in Colorado if I'm not mistaken, and it takes 2 years (at least) of full time training to become certified as a practitioner. (That may have changed).

Hi Baxter, Success, and Merrida,

Thank you for the input. I thought you ladies probably have heard of rolfing.

Merrida - That's really neat that you've actually seen a rolfer. And yes, the buttocks area was sooooo painful for me as well. With a crushed sacrum, even 5 years later it still hurt like crazy. But not after he was finished. Just a bit sore. Had to drink lot's of water to flush the toxins. How about the emotional stuff that can come up. Pretty interesting work to say the least. Treating the person as a whole. What a concept isn't it. I'm so glad to know that is how you treat your clients. And yes, it takes folks a while to catch on to what you're teaching them. Thanks again for your input!

It's a shame that they required you to sign up for all 12 sessions. Where I went the guy didn't make me take any certain number of sessions. Whatever I felt comfortable with. I did do all 12 sessions though. I agree, it's rather pricey, but that hurt so good feeling was well worth the cost. I was rolfed about 10-12 years ago, not exactly sure, so I'd say it's time to go again. The price I paid then, will be the same now. That's the way this guy runs his business. That's pretty cool!

Everyone have a great day!

Tenn