By David and Rebekah Frome
“Practitioners of Structural Integration do not feel ourselves to be therapists. The gravitational field is the therapist. What we do is prepare the body to receive the support from the gravitational field which gives a greater sense of well-being.” Dr. Ida P. Rolf
The founder of Structural Integration Dr. Ida P. Rolf, was one of the first women biochemists to graduate from Columbia University in the 1920s. She pioneered a form of bodywork that enhanced posture, movement, and overall health by balancing the connective tissue systems of the body. She called this work “Structural Integration.” Her students in the 70s lovingly referred to the work as “Rolfing.”
The challenge
Years of accumulated stress, surgeries, and injuries within the connective tissue are stored in our bodies. Consequently, we tend to shorten and lose flexibility. You might notice that your ankle is stiff, or that your shoulder is tight. A nagging pain or loss of movement at the hip could be keeping you from exercising. Or perhaps, it’s become difficult for you to sit, stand, or walk. These are common signs of a fascial imbalance that affects your posture, alignment, and the way you move.
Rolfing de-stresses the body with fascial manipulation.
Fascia, a type of connective tissue determines our posture and movement. Fascia enwraps the muscles, bones, and joints. Chronic stress, including pain, causes the myofascia to shorten. This shortening affects the way your physical structure is aligned. Our structure defines how we stand and move.
How does Rolfing/Structural Integration work?
Structural Integration balances and aligns the body along a central vertical axis by progressively balancing the tensions in the fascial network. Rolfing restores the body’s normal length and flexibility. The practitioner utilizes deep, gentle pressure to free the fascial restrictions. This powerful treatment helps you to stand taller, breathe more fully, and move with grace.
The basic ten-session Rolfing series
It takes ten sessions to organize the entire system of fascia in the body. Each session has specific goals and allows the Rolfer to work through the whole structure, gently stretching the shortened tissue. Our patients often come to us with specific problems such as ankle, hip, or back pain. We treat these issues in the larger context of bringing the body into better alignment within the gravitational field.
Rebekah and David Frome practice acupuncture, Rolfing, and Craniosacral Therapy at Frome Physical Therapies, in Loch Arbour, NJ. To learn more and schedule an appointment, visit or contact us at www.fromept.com or (973) 509-8464.
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