Training & Nutrition - Rolfing

Anyone here ever tried rolfing? I'm considering it for a shoulder injury. My right shoulder is suplexing....Just wondering if it's worth the money.

TJ

I haven't done since the night I had too much wine after starting with martinis and it certainly didn't help my shoulder. Oh wait...you didn't say "ralphing"...nevermind.

My dance instructor had it done but it made her very ill. I think she had most of her body (at least her back) done, and it must have released some toxins or something because she was ralphing (lol!) quite a bit!

Perhaps she just has a low tolerance for it.

Hurts like a mother if you go to someone who doesn't know how to do it properly. It has it's place in rehab. I had it done once after a particularly hard ride. A good friend of mine is a massage therapist. She has been doing it so long that she can render the same benefits (with oil) without a lot of the pain associated with rolfing. If you've ever had an "indian burn" and hated it, you'll not like rolfing at all. It doesn't feel good at the time, but the benefits are worth it. Unless you have an injury (which you said you do) I would just go deep tissue with the oil, lotion or whatever medium your therapist uses. Sports specific therapists should be able to get deep enough into the injury. The key to rehab through massage therapy is consistancy. I went once a week for two months then I droped to every two weeks.

*if you are ever in Grand Prairie I can give you her name/number*

It sounds too crazy to be good for you. :/

What is "rolfing?"

It is a dry massage technique. Involves working strictly with the fascia. Very deep tissue work, the therapist is able to manipulate the body's myofascial system. To get a full body rolfing experience you need 10 sessions, because they divide the body into 10 quadrants. The therapist will palpatate the area for a long time, and move the muscle. It's supposed to be excellent for improving posture. Since it is a dry method it is quite painful. I have found equal benifits with traditional deep tissue using oil. It is interesting to note, Hitler used the founder of this technique (Dr. Ida Rolph) to get the German troops who were injured ready for battle again during WWII. Similar story to Joseph Pilates who invented his now world famous technique for rehabilitating soilders in Europe. He was actually asked to train the soilders but refused because of Hitler's politics.

Did I go to far? This is probably why my friends call me Ms. Smartie Pants.

/me bows to cycleprincess. Very nice.
Slightly offtopic -- you use deep-tissue massage? Is it for recovery or performance increase? Does it work?

Hello to my fellow ATXers. I know a great little "rub and tug" in the Arboretum if anyones interested... :D

/me bows to cycleprincess. Very nice.
Slightly offtopic -- you use deep-tissue massage? Is it for recovery or performance increase? Does it work?

I have a massage every two weeks. Wish I could afford once a week...neverthless. After an event (usually ends up being at least a couple of days) I will go deep tissue. She usually ends up going pretty deep regardless mostly because my quads, hams, glutes etc are chronically tight. You could say I have a tight ass! I lift weights too, so the deep tissue really helps in that regard. So to answer your question, yes recovery, and I wish it helped with performance!! That and without my massage I'd not be nearly as charming and likeable. Basically I'd be a walking ball of stress...pretty much like the rest of the population.

For an injured area I would suggest Astin patterning massage. P.S. There are several knockoffs of this type of massage using different names.