Blog

Weekly, I feature a client in my blog as I have done here also. My descriptions talk about less rotation and more extension, more posterior or anterior position, longer here or more horizontal there giving descriptions of the before and after from a session here at Rolfing Iowa. Taking pictures is more labor intensive and very few do this anymore. I believe most of you can see how a person’s structure looks better in the after picture without commentary.  The Rolfing process is holistic and comprehensive and the idea we can change structure for the better caught my attention a few decades ago and it still does, and I believe I am pretty good at it. Make your next stop at Rolfing Iowa and see what we can accomplish together to help you feel, move and look better!

During the Rolfing process, one goal is to achieve equal weight distribution for the client, ensuring that half of the weight is supported by each leg. Additionally, it is important to distribute the weight evenly between the inside and outside of the legs. Following this session, my client's left leg shifts medially for increased support, while his right leg exhibits reduced lateral rotation, with the foot moving medially towards a more parallel position.  There is decreased medial rotation in the lower right leg. There is a more horizontal alignment of the hips, which is a primary objective in the Rolfing process.

Additionally, the right shoulder girdle elevates, leading to improved shoulder alignment. It is common for individuals to have uneven shoulder girdles. Typically, right-handed individuals have a lower and longer slope on the right shoulder girdle compared to the left, whereas left-handed individuals exhibit the opposite pattern. In this session, significant progress has been made towards achieving a more equitable weight distribution.

After a session at Rolfing Iowa, clients often experience an increase in height. And in this image after a session at Rolfing Iowa my client also has a lengthening of his posterior neck as well as in his hip crests to the12^th rib area. Over time, reduced activity and prolonged sitting can lead to shortening in the space in that area. While many clients don’t need to see a picture demonstrating this, for many clients it is very helpful to see so that they can keep the image in mind, aiding in repositioning when sitting to lessen the compression in this area facilitating repatterning old habits for lasting benefits.

Tracking my client’s progress as we move through the series here at Rolfing Iowa. My client is progressing and shifting toward an elegant lateral line through the integration process! Changing people’s alignment is what we are doing here at Rolfing Iowa and working in tandem toward common goals. Acting as a change agent and using process-oriented bodywork to implement strategies to meet the individual where they are, moving toward what can be better for them in movement, function and how they feel.

A notable example illustrates a client before and after a Rolfing session exhibiting a more integrated structure. There is decreased thigh flexion, and the transformation in her upper body is apparent with significantly reduced rounding of her shoulder girdle. This adjustment facilitates greater lift and initiates the refinement of her lateral line, contributing to enhanced physical comfort. Additionally, she has gained some height as a result.

A good example of my client's shifts following a Rolfing session. Her left leg adjusts medially, providing enhanced support to her hips, as the left side of her hip descends. This adjustment facilitates the elevation of her shoulder girdles, contributing to increased length and a slight increase in height, as indicated by her shoulder alignment on the graph. At Rolfing Iowa, our goal is to achieve an integrated structure from a holistic perspective. This may be the right time to consider the benefits that this style of bodywork can offer you.

This session at Rolfing Iowa yielded excellent results.  Nice integration of the lateral line which is part of what we are trying to accomplish here in this process-oriented bodywork. There was a significant elevation in the shoulder girdle and chest, and the client's head is now better positioned above the shoulder girdle. It should be noted that the lateral line we aim for will be unique to each individual and should not be regarded merely as a simple plumb line. In this instance, the client exhibits a balanced distribution of body mass forward and behind this imaginary line which is clear to see. Exploring this form of bodywork at Rolfing Iowa could provide considerable benefits for individuals experiencing body issues. 

After a session at Rolfing Iowa, a client with hip arthritis showed improvements. The left leg's reduced lateral rotation led to a more horizontal hip profile, which is a focus in Rolfing. The right leg also exhibited less lateral rotation, and there was increased balance in the lumbar region. This adjustment allowed for more weight to be shifted to the left side and an extension of the lower and mid back. While some cases may still require surgery, Rolfing can help maintain mobility and may reduce the need for surgical intervention.

A clear example of significant shifts occurring in my client was observed following a Rolfing session, leading toward a more integrated structure. His lower legs exhibited considerably reduced lateral rotation as his feet aligned closer to a parallel position, with his gastrocnemius muscles repositioning towards the back of both legs, showing less medial migration. A horizontal alignment of his hips was achieved, which is an important focus in the Rolfing process. Additionally, there was a noticeable lift through his upper body extending through his shoulder girdles and an elongation of his posterior neck, resulting in increased height. If you have not yet experienced this form of bodywork and its many benefits, now would be an opportune time. We look forward to beginning the process with you at Rolfing Iowa.

The following is an example of the transformation experienced by a client after completing “The basic 10 series” at Rolfing Iowa. Significant improvements were observed early in the series, and these changes were consistently reinforced throughout the process. The client presented with dense muscular tissue contributing to a forward head posture. We facilitated the creation of the necessary space for the client's head to realign and rest comfortably atop the shoulder girdle, as it should naturally, rather than positioned forward as depicted in the "before" image. By achieving this alignment, the anterior portion of the upper body was elevated, balance from a lateral line perspective was greatly improved, and gravitational support to the overall structure was enhanced. This adjustment not only improves physical comfort but also offers long-term benefits.