Does Rolfing® Structural Integration hurt?
The short answer is no. Rolfing® Structural Integration can hurt, but it does not have to.
I use a multitude of techniques, including verbally directing the client's awareness, offering movement cues, light touch, and slow deep tissue work. Moving slowly allows Rolfers® to work at a deep level without causing pain. Since the Rolfing process is collaborative, it is important for the client to let the practitioner know if any boundary, especially a pain threshold, is approached. Although every client has a unique experience of the Rolfing process, and although some moments may be intense, Rolfing Structural Integration does not have to hurt.
I use a multitude of techniques, including verbally directing the client's awareness, offering movement cues, light touch, and slow deep tissue work. Moving slowly allows Rolfers® to work at a deep level without causing pain. Since the Rolfing process is collaborative, it is important for the client to let the practitioner know if any boundary, especially a pain threshold, is approached. Although every client has a unique experience of the Rolfing process, and although some moments may be intense, Rolfing Structural Integration does not have to hurt.
Why have I heard that it does hurt?
Rolfing Structural Integration was popularized at a time when people felt that the more intense the experience, the more therapeutic it was. People described Rolfing as painful to differentiate it from a soothing massage, and to emphasize how profoundly impactful it was.
Since that time, Rolfers have gotten better at achieving their therapeutic goals with more grace and less force. Greater change is possible when a client is not busy cringing with pain.
Since that time, Rolfers have gotten better at achieving their therapeutic goals with more grace and less force. Greater change is possible when a client is not busy cringing with pain.